Chinese cultural centre to get new chief

Veteran of museum, heritage sector has been board director at centre since 2016

- Chin Soo Fang Senior Correspondent

One of Mr Alvin Tan's fondest childhood memories is waking up near midnight on the eve of every ninth day of the Chinese New Year to help his parents prepare offerings to the Heavenly Jade Emperor just so he could enjoy the steamed crabs.

The deputy chief executive for policy and community at the National Heritage Board (NHB) said his experiences with Chinese culture form an important part of his childhood and teenage memories.

He grew up learning about the works of Chinese writer Louis Cha as his father, a retired Chinese teacher, has an enduring love for wuxia - or martial arts - novels.

The 52-year-old will be the new CEO of the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC) from June 3, the centre announced on May 10.

Mr Tan, however, is not new to the cultural centre. SCCC chairman Ng Siew Quan said: "Alvin comes with a wealth of experience from the museum and heritage sector.

As a board director with SCCC since 2016, and as chairman of SCCC's programmes committee, he has played an instrumental role in shaping SCCC's programming directions and audience strategies."

Chinese culture in Singapore is vibrant, unique and evolving, Mr Tan told The Straits Times.