COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR THE HERITAGE SECTOR IN 2025

Project Citizens – The First Million by Founders’ Memorial

NHB will collect stories on how our pioneering first million citizens helped shape Singapore’s nationhood through Project Citizens – The First Million. The stories collected will be featured at the Founders’ Memorial when it opens in 2028, alongside those of our founding leaders, to inspire future generations of Singaporeans.

Project Citizens will comprise three components:

1. Senior Engagement Programme (from April 2025) – Seniors will be invited to share their stories through volunteer-facilitated activities and conversations that encourage inter-generational sharing and bonding.
2. Islandwide Pop-ups (from April 2025) – A mass outreach effort where visitors will be encouraged to reflect on the contributions of the founding generation and the meaning of being “Singaporean”.
3. Not Mere Spectators – the Makings of Multicultural Singapore experience (Oct 2025 – Mar 2026) – this experience targeted at youth will be held at the National Gallery Singapore. It will invite reflection and conversation on multiculturalism – how this value came to be, and continues to be, foundational to Singapore’s unity and progress – and how Singaporeans can play an active role in shaping it. It will also feature a Project Citizens media wall, which will showcase stories collected through the Senior Engagement Programme.

SG Heritage Business Scheme

The SG Heritage Business Scheme is a pilot initiative that aims to recognise and raise awareness of exemplary heritage businesses. Businesses on the Scheme will receive help to encourage them to sustain themselves, such as through branding and business consultancy support. The Scheme will be open to local businesses that:

1. Have been registered and operating in Singapore for at least 30 years;
2. Are community anchors that foster a sense of connection and identity among Singaporeans; and
3. Contribute significantly to the cultural identity of a community or place.

For a start, the SG Heritage Business Scheme will be open to businesses operating in the Central Area, which includes the Chinatown, Little India, and Kampong Gelam heritage districts, and Bras.Basah Bugis precinct, among others.

Exploring the Establishment of a new Design Museum

MCCY is exploring the establishment of a new design museum, which would fill a gap in the existing line-up of offerings in the heritage landscape. NHB will be conducting a feasibility study to determine the suitability of the Old SJI Building for the new museum.