Community-led heritage projects get over $15m in grants

Little India mural and book on local practices among over 550 projects supported by NHB

- Chin Soo Fang

Death, a taboo topic for most people, is the subject of an upcoming book that explores the evolution of cultural and religious practices in Singapore.

Titled Death And The Afterlife: Multidisciplinary Perspectives From A Global City, the upcoming book documents and examines how death rituals have evolved with urbanisation.

It is one of the over 550 projects supported by the National Heritage Board's (NHB) Heritage Grants Scheme since its launch in 2013.

The scheme has awarded over $15 million so far to community-led projects including publications, exhibitions and podcasts that promote local heritage.

The scheme comprises minor and major project grants. The minor project grant supports community heritage projects for up to 50 per cent of total project costs, or a maximum of $50,000.

The major project grant supports larger-scale projects with the potential to make a lasting contribution to Singapore's heritage landscape. It funds up to 50 per cent of total project costs, or a maximum of $150,000.

Death And The Afterlife was awarded the minor project grant in April 2022.

It showcases research and discussions by scholars and practitioners from multiple disciplines including sociology, history, community arts, literary studies, and photography.