Rising Stars: How Mapletree is helping young arts talent shine
From composing original music to screening award-winning films, young artists are taking centre stage through Mapletree-supported initiatives.
From composing original music to screening award-winning films, young artists are taking centre stage through Mapletree-supported initiatives.
To commemorate Singapore’s 60th birthday in a special way, the Group launched the Mapletree Young Filmmakers Initiative and Mapletree Young Composers Initiative in 2025. Organised in collaboration with the University of the Arts Singapore, it gave students from LASALLE College of the Arts (LASALLE) and Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) the chance to produce original artistic projects.
The Young Composers Initiative culminated in a public concert on 30 May 2026 at NAFA Lee Foundation Theatre, where six winners each received a cash prize of S$2,500. For aspiring
filmmakers, the spotlight fell on the top three short films, which premiered at an exclusive screening hosted by Mapletree at Golden Village VivoCity.
One of the films was Portrait, an intimate story about the protagonist Emil’s struggle between helping lost souls find peace and spending time with his wife. Directed by Daniel Tan, a Year 2 film student at LASALLE, the film went on to win the Grand Jury Prize at BAKUNAWA FEST 12 in the Philippines.
“For passionate filmmakers who love telling visual stories, having the opportunity to see our work projected on a cinema screen is a dream come true,” said Daniel. “The Mapletree Young Filmmakers Initiative has wonderfully encouraged, supported and inspired us student filmmakers.”
The Mapletree Young Filmmakers Initiative provides a brilliant platform to practise our craft across every stage of production.
– Daniel Tan, Mapletree Young Filmmakers Initiative 2025 Awardee
Photo Caption 1: Representatives from Mapletree and LASALLE College of the Arts gathered at Golden Village VivoCity for the private premiere of the Mapletree Young Filmmakers Initiative in November 2025.
Photo Caption 2: The event was attended by over 100 students, faculty members and film contributors.
Art That Gives Back
Mapletree Art with a Purpose returns with three new items that aim to raise money for various charities.
Mapletree Art with a Purpose returns with three new items that aim to raise money for various charities.
Postcards and a pin make up Phase 2 of Mapletree Art with a Purpose (MAWP), which blends creativity with charity. MAWP was first launched in January 2025, with Phase 2 introduced in March 2026. Together, both phases aim to raise S$35,000.
Phase 2 offers three new items for sale – a set of four bird-themed postcards photographed by Mr Tarun Kataria, the Independent Chairman of Mapletree US & EU Logistics Private Trust Investment Committee; an enamel pin of St James Power Station (SJPS) illustrated by Zulkhairi Lutfi, a 20-year-old Singaporean artist with autism; and a postcard of Trần Xuân Soạn Street in Hanoi by Trần Nam Long, a hearing-impaired artist from Vietnam who is also 20.
All proceeds from the bird postcards will go to Nature Society Singapore. Proceeds of the SJPS enamel pin and Trần Xuân Soạn Street postcard will be split between the artists’ royalties (10%) and charities ART:DIS and Passerelles Numériques Vietnam (90%), respectively.
Photo Caption: Representatives from Mapletree, artists and beneficiaries at the launch of Phase 2 of Mapletree Art with a Purpose.
Scoring a Goal for Community
A youth futsal camp shows how sports can strengthen communities.
A youth futsal camp shows how sports can strengthen communities.
Tucked within Mapletree Business City is a futsal court, where a group of school-aged youths developed both friendships and footwork skills in June 2026. They were at the eighth edition of the Mapletree Youth Futsal Camp, held over four sessions.
The 118 attendees, aged seven to 16, were children of the Group’s tenants and staff as well as youths from social service agencies that Mapletree collaborates with.
One of them was 10-year-old Bay Chengrui, a first-time participant, who learnt new skills during the event. “With the coach’s guidance, I felt more confident playing the friendly matches. I also made many new friends through the camp! It was a memorable experience.”
Continuing the Group’s efforts to build community ties, the fundraiser equivalent of the camp – the Mapletree Futsal Challenge – will be organised in August 2026, as part of Mapletree Community Month 2026. The tournament is open to tenants and staff who donate at least S$500 per team, and Mapletree will match the donations dollar-for-dollar with all proceeds supporting youth beneficiaries.
Photo Caption: The futsal camp on 10 June 2026 was attended by Mr Edmund Cheng, Chairman, Mapletree (last row, centre in white jacket) and Mr Wan Kwong Weng (last row, centre in purple shirt), Group Chief Corporate Officer, Mapletree, along with children of the Group’s tenants and staff as well as youths from Mapletree’s partner social service agencies.
