Dr Felicia Low

Dr Felicia Low, a graduate of Goldsmith’s College, is a visual artist, art educator, author and Applied Arts Researcher. A Lee Kong Chian scholar of the National University of Singapore, Felicia obtained a PhD in Cultural Studies in Asia in 2015. She has also developed research and written a pedagogical guide on Person-centered Arts Practices with Communities, with support from the National Arts Council (Singapore). She continues to work with various social institutions and organisations to conceptualise and coordinate arts programmes and research.

Felicia was the recipient of the Outstanding Youth In Education Award 2005 and was selected for the President’s Young Talent Show 2009 organized by the Singapore Art Museum. She received the Teaching Merit Award from the Singapore University of Social Sciences in 2019. Felicia is the founding director of Community Cultural Dimensions, which aims to provide a critical discursive platform for artistic practices that engage with communities in the region. Her publications include Autogenous Culture as Political Form: An Investigation into Participatory Art Practices in Singapore (2017), The Art of Anti-Exclusion (2018) and Person-centered Arts Practices with Communities: A Pedagogical Guide (2019). She is an associate lecturer at NTU (BA in Public Policy and Global Affairs) and at NUS (MA in Arts and Cultural Entrepreneurship).

• Part-time lecturer at NUS, MA in Arts and Cultural Entrepreneurship 2023 onwards:
  Module developer, coordinator and lecturer for Applied Arts Research and Practice.
   
• Part-time Lecturer at NTU, School of Social Sciences, BA in Public Policy and Global Affairs 2022 onwards:
  Module developer, coordinator and lecturer for Culture, Arts and Politics, and Political Anthropology
   
• Applied Research consultant with the National Gallery, 2021-2023.
  Research proposal writing, research conduct and coordination for art programmes with youth, VWOs and other philanthropic organisations.
   
• Part-time Lecturer at Lasalle College of the Arts. MA in Arts Pedagogy and Practice 2018-2022.
  Teaching of modules on Diverse Pedagogies in artistic teaching and practice, Research module on research design, Supervision of Masters thesis.
   
• Course-developer and lecturer ‘Foundations in Art Education: Philosophy, Paradigm & Practice’, ‘Issues and Perspectives In Art Education: Artistic, Aesthetic And Creative Growth’, ‘Pedagogical Approaches in Art Education’ , ‘Assessment In Art and Design’ & ‘Art Curriculum Planning’ at the Singapore University of Social Sciences 2014 to 2021.
  Teaching of various art curriculum writing approaches, pedagogical applications in art lessons and assessment design.
   
• Part-time teacher in Anthropology (School of the Arts IBDP) 2014 to 2018
  Curriculum writing and teaching of various ethnographies and social sciences theories such as power, urban studies, gender, leisure studies, etc,
   
• Research consultant with Singapore Teachers’ Academy for the aRts (Ministry of Education) 2014-2016.
  Teaching and supervision with teachers on art pedagogical research across 10 schools from JC to primary schools.

Arts with Communities.

Arts Education.

Development of research tools to identify forms of value through arts engagement.

Applied Research for Arts Practiced with Communities.

Mixed method: 

• Development of self-report programme evaluation scales.
• Development of observational logs and interpretive approaches.
• Interviews and FGDs.

Lead researcher with Ng Teng Fong Hospital, on developing an evaluation system to determine person-centered outcomes for the hospital’s arts programmes. March 2023 onwards.

Lead researcher with National Gallery Singapore on the following projects:

• Strength Through Art: A Youth Resilience and Wellness Programme. Conducted with 3 secondary schools, supported by NUS Mind Science Centre. Dec 2021-Mar 2023
• Energy Restoration for Cancer Survivors through Engagement with the Art Collection, in-collaboration with the Singapore Cancer Society. Jan 2022-August 2023.
• Slow Art Guide research, supported by the Johnson and Johnson Foundation. 2023 onwards.

Research Advisor for Slow Art Plus: Developing and Piloting a Single Session Art Gallery-based Intervention for Mental Health Promotion via a Mixed Method Waitlist Randomised Control Trial, conducted by Action Research for Community Health Laboratory (ARCH), Nanyang Technological University for National Gallery Singapore. Dec 2021-2023.

Lead researcher for A Decade of Theatre for Seniors: A Journey of Aesthetics and Innovation in Later Life, supported by the National Arts Council research grant. Jan 2020-Dec 2022.

Lead researcher on a community music programme by the Japan Century Symphony Orchestra in Osaka, Japan. Jan 2019 - Dec 2020.

• A research report was written based on the person-centered dimensions having observed and interviewed participants and musicians of this programme.

Lead Researcher for the National Gallery Singapore on two of Gallery Signs tours and Dialect Tours. Jan 2019 - Dec 2019.

Completed papers entitled:

• The Significance of the Chinese Dialect Tours (Children’s Biennale edition 2019) at the National Gallery Singapore, based on the Person-centered framework for Arts Practices with the Communities.
• The Significance of the Gallery Signs Tours at the National Gallery Singapore, based on the Person-centered framework for Arts Practices with the Communities.

Lead researcher and writer on a Person-centered Approach to Arts Practices with Communities, supported by the National Arts Council. Jan 2016 - Dec 2018.

• This research resulted in the publication of a pedagogical guide on Person-centered Arts Practices with Communities, available on Amazon and other e book outlets. The guide was written based on fieldwork experience at a children’s home, a dementia ward and a senior activity centre.

Initiated a research study on Creative Dance Movement for persons with Dementia together with SGH neurologists and subsequently with the Community Psycho-Geriatric Programme team at Changi General Hospital & the Alzheimer’s Disease Association (2014-2018). Jan 2014 - Dec 2018.

• Low F., Koh W.L.E., Liong A., Rahim S., Jumala J., Ng W.F., Ng L.L. (2016) Dancing in Response to Dementia: Preserving the Dignity of Life in Decline. CCD Publication. https://www.ccd.sg/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Dancing-in-response-to-DementiaPublished-Paper.pdf
• Koh WLE, Low F, Kam JW, Rahim S, Ng WF, Ng LL. Person-centred creative dance intervention for persons with dementia living in the community in Singapore. Dementia (London). 2020 Oct, 19(7):2430-2443

On Arts education and Arts with Communities:

• “Qualitative Study on the Needs of Seniors and the Role of Participatory Arts” (2015), Arts for All website, National Arts Council, https://artsforall.sg/resources/casestudy/qualitative-study-on-the-needs-of-seniors-and-role-of-participatory-arts.aspx
• Art With Communities: Practices and Possibilities (2015) edited by Felicia Low, Partridge Publishing.
• Dancing In Response to Dementia (2016) Low Felicia, Koh Wei Ling Elaine, Liong Angela, Sahnan Bin Rahim, Junisha Bte Jumala, Ng Wei Fern, Ng Li Ling. CCD Publication 2016. https://www.ccd.sg/dancing-response-dementia-research-outcomes-2015-2016/
• Person-centered Arts Practices with Communities: A Pedagogical Guide (2019), Trafford Publishing, USA
• Person-centred creative dance intervention for persons with dementia living in the community in Singapore (2020) Koh WLE, Low F, Kam JW, Rahim S, Ng WF, Ng LL.Dementia (London). 2020 Oct, 19(7):2430-2443.
• A Decade of Theatre for Seniors: A Journey of Aesthetics and Innovation in Later Life (2022). Trafford Publishing, USA

On Community & Cultural Policies/ Politics:

• “ Community Cultural Development – Why construct an Asian perspective” in Art With Communities: Practices and Possibilities (2015) edited by Felicia Low, Partridge Publishing.
• “That Subaltern Stride: The Practice of Cultural Studies and Communal Visual Art” in Between Literary and Cultural Studies: Asian Explorations (2015), (ed) Murphy T. & Erni J., pp58-80, Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore.
• The Art of Anti-Exclusion (2018) Edited by Felicia Low. Trafford Publishing, USA.
• Autogenous Culture As Political Form: An investigation into Participatory Visual Art practices in Singapore (2017) Trafford Publishing, USA.
• ‘Autogenous Culture As Political Form: Explorations through Participatory Arts Practices In Singapore’ (2019). Inter-Asia Cultural Studies, 20:1, pp. 65-72, Routledge.

1-2 students per year.

• Artistic Director Community Cultural Dimensions Ltd.
   
• Part-time lecturer at NUS, MA in Arts and Cultural Entrepreneurship 2023 onwards:
  Module developer, coordinator and lecturer for Applied Arts Research and Practice.
   
• Part-time Lecturer at NTU, School of Social Sciences, BA in Public Policy and Global Affairs 2022 onwards:
  Module developer, coordinator and lecturer for Culture, Arts and Politics, and Political Anthropology
   
• Applied Research consultant with the National Gallery, 2021 onwards:
  Research proposal writing, research conduct and coordination for art programmes with youth, VWOs and other philanthropic organisations.
   
• Part-time Lecturer at Lasalle College of the Arts. MA in Arts Pedagogy and Practice 2018-2022.
  Teaching of modules on Diverse Pedagogies in artistic teaching and practice, Research module on research design, Supervision of Masters thesis.
   
• Course-developer and lecturer ‘Foundations in Art Education: Philosophy, Paradigm & Practice’, ‘Issues and Perspectives In Art Education: Artistic, Aesthetic And Creative Growth’, ‘Pedagogical Approaches in Art Education’ , ‘Assessment In Art and Design’ & ‘Art Curriculum Planning’ at the Singapore University of Social Sciences 2014 to 2021.
  Teaching of various art curriculum writing approaches, pedagogical applications in art lessons and assessment design.
   
• Part-time teacher in Anthropology (School of the Arts IBDP) 2014 to 2018
  Curriculum writing and teaching of various ethnographies and social sciences theories such as power, urban studies, gender, leisure studies, etc,
   
• Research consultant with Singapore Teachers’ Academy for the aRts (Ministry of Education) 2014-2016.
  Teaching and supervision with teachers on art pedagogical research across 10 schools from JC to primary schools.

• Symposium Director for 1^st symposium on Community Cultural Development in Singapore: Practices and Possibilities @ the Singapore Polytechnic. 17-18^th Sept 2012
• Forum director for CCD Forum 2014 on Reform, Conform or Counter-Culture: Community Agendas in the Business of the Arts @ Aliwal Arts Centre 12 Sept 2014
• Symposium Director for CCD Symposium 2016: The Art Of Anti-Exclusion. 6 foreign artists and 6 local artists presenting at the Goodman Arts Centre, 5 & 6^th Sept 2016.

Refer to www.ccd.sg

• Ceramics workshops for New Horizon’s centres and Family of Wisdom centres of Dementia Singapore. Jan 2019- present.
  
  A series of 6 ceramics sessions were carried out at each centre for a group of 8 clients respectively, to introduce participants to coiling and slabbing techniques. The programme aimed to engage participants in motor and cognitive skills through ceramics.
   
• Artist – In –Us Programme @ The Chen Su Lan Methodist Children’s Home. Jan 2009 – present.
  
  Developmental art workshops were proposed and conducted by Felicia as of 2009 onwards. The programme works with an average of 45 children over the year, with the aim of developing personal and social confidence and growth. The development of each child is tracked along growth dimensions based on observed behavioural responses during art-making processes.
   
• Yellow Ribbon Art showcase (2018 and 2022)
  
  14 participants from the women’s prison have been selected to participate in 2018’s Yellow Ribbon showcase. A series of 20 art workshops are being conducted by Felicia based on the theme of ‘Reflecting on our past, anticipating out future’. 15 participants from the women’s prison took part in Yellow Ribbon 2022, where over three months, the participants created 15 artworks based on the theme of “Home is Where the Heart Is.”
   
• Art workshops with Seniors from NTUC SliverAce centre (Taman Jurong) Jan 2018- 2020
  
  Art sessions at this centre started with an initiative called From Dawn to Dusk, in collaboration with Ng Teng Fong General Hospital A series of 10 art workshops were conducted through the medium of painting. 16 participants of this workshop are required to create art work that will be displayed in the hospital wards. Felicia had conceptualised the art work based on the neighbourhood’s trees, of which many were pine and cypress trees. Participants observed the texture, form and colour of the trees in their neighbourhood and created paintings from their observations. Subsequently, Felicia returned to the centre twice a year for further painting and ceramics workshops for the seniors. The project has since been passed on to her ex-student from SUSS.
   
• Art workshops and exhibitions with various patient groups at SGH (2004-2014)
  
  Workshops were conducted across the 10 years with patients from the psychiatric unit, the Lightwieght Club (for children born pre-mature), children with hearing impairment and adults with diabetes.
   
• Kaki Bukit Prison School (2002-2006) & Changi Women’s Prison ( Mar 2004, Dec 2004, June 2011)
  
  Workshops based on Development through Drama And Art. Partnership with Drama practitioner Noorlinah Mohd based on the needs and counselling programme of 15 inmates per session at KBC and CWP.
   
• Art workshops and exhibition with the Y-Stars (young adults with Down’s Syndrome): (2010- 2014)
  
  Art workshops were conducted weekly with 15 participants. Their work culminated in a showcase entitled ‘Exploring Art’, where the artwork by the Y-Stars created over 2 years were displayed, with a focus on aesthetics and the development of a pedagogical approach to teaching art to those with special needs.
   
• Art workshop for Mendaki: Beautiful Minds (March 2008)
  
  Arts workshop for a group of 30 girls organized by Mendaki and run by Singapore Drama Educators’ Association  15 hour workshop on Visual art conducted over one month.
   
• Art workshops for HOME (Humanitarian Organization for Migrant Economics) women’s shelter ( July 2007)
  
  3 day visual art workshops where participants had to articulate their concerns in the form of video, text, image or performance. 16 participants.

Curator for public shows by the community

• Curator for Public Appreciation Showcase for Healthcare workers organized by Ng Teng Fong Hospital, National University Hospital & Alexander Hospital, Jan 2020 - Dec 2020.
  
  Selection and display of 100 artworks across the 3 hospitals from 10 000 cards and artworks of appreciation from the public
   
• Curator for Singapore Youth Festival 2018 & 2019 Art showcase at the National Gallery, themed ‘Art And Citizenship’. Jan 2018 - Dec 2019
  
  Curator for Singapore Youth Festival 2018 & 2019 Art showcase at the National Gallery, themed ‘Art And Citizenship’ for all primary, secondary schools, junior colleges and independent schools. Organised by the Ministry of Education. Curator for Singapore Youth Festival 2018 & 2019 Art showcase at the National Gallery, themed ‘Art And Citizenship’ for all primary, secondary schools, junior colleges and independent schools. Organised by the Ministry of Education.

Scholarships

• Recipient of Lee Kong Chian Graduate Scholarship for PhD in Cultural Studies, National University of Singapore. 2010- 2014

• Recipient of Overseas Merit Teaching Scholarship from the Singapore Public Service Commission. BA in Fine Art, Goldsmiths College, London. 1995-1999

Awards

• Selected for Teaching Merit Award 2019, Singapore University of Social Sciences.
• Selected for President Young Talent’s Show 2009, The Singapore Art Museum.
• Associate Teacher’s Award 2005 - Teacher’s Network, Ministry of Education.
• Outstanding Youth In Education Award 2005, National Youth Council and the Ministry of Education
• Nominated for the Singapore Youth Awards, (Arts) 2012 by the National Arts Council. Organized by the National Youth Council.
• Nominated for President Teacher’s Awards (2007) by NorthLight School
• Nominated for the Singapore Youth Awards, (Community) 2006 by the Ministry Of Education. Organized by the National Youth Council.