National Heritage Board (Singapore)

National Heritage Board (Singapore)
Name	National Heritage Board
Formed	01 August 1993
Jurisdiction	Government of Singapore
Headquarters	61 Stamford Road, #03-08, Stamford Court, Singapore 178892
Chief1 name	Rosa Daniel
Chief1 position	Chief Executive Officer
Chief2 name	Edwin Tong
Chief2 position	Chairman
Parent department	Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth
Website	www.nhb.gov.sg

Contents

History
Organisation
Functions and responsibilities
Museums and institutions
Programmes and initiatives
See also

National Heritage Board (Singapore). The National Heritage Board (NHB) is a statutory board under the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth of Singapore, established on 1 August 1993. Its mission is to preserve and celebrate the shared heritage of the nation's diverse communities, fostering a stronger national identity and sense of belonging. The NHB manages national museums, heritage institutions, and oversees the preservation of national monuments, while also developing public programmes and policies related to Singapore's history and culture.

History

The board was formed through the merger of the former National Archives and the National Museum, with its establishment formalized by the National Heritage Board Act of 1993. This consolidation aimed to create a more cohesive national strategy for heritage preservation under the leadership of then-Minister for Information and the Arts, Brigadier-General (Reservist) George Yeo. Key early initiatives included the launch of the Asian Civilisations Museum in 1997 at Armenian Street and the official opening of the Singapore History Museum (now the National Museum of Singapore) in its restored building at Stamford Road in 2006. The board's remit expanded significantly with the transfer of the Monuments Section from the Urban Redevelopment Authority in 2009, giving it direct responsibility for the preservation of National Monuments of Singapore.

Organisation

The NHB is led by a board of directors appointed by the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, with the current Chairman being Senior Minister of State Edwin Tong. Day-to-day operations are managed by a Chief Executive Officer, Rosa Daniel, who oversees various divisions and departments. Its organisational structure includes dedicated groups for policy, museum management, heritage conservation, and community engagement. The board works closely with other government agencies like the National Arts Council and the Singapore Tourism Board, as well as academic partners such as the National University of Singapore.

Functions and responsibilities

The board's primary functions are defined by the National Heritage Board Act and the Preservation of Monuments Act. It is responsible for the overall management and development of Singapore's national museums and heritage institutions. A core duty is the preservation and promotion of National Monuments of Singapore, which includes conducting research, providing conservation advice, and administering the national collection of artifacts. The NHB also formulates and implements policies on heritage matters, advises the government on related legislation, and runs extensive public education programmes through events like the annual Singapore Heritage Festival.

Museums and institutions

The NHB directly manages several major national museums and institutions. These include the flagship National Museum of Singapore, the Asian Civilisations Museum at Empress Place, and the Peranakan Museum at Tao Nan School. Other key institutions are the Singapore Art Museum, the Indian Heritage Centre in Little India, and the Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall. The board also oversees the Former Ford Factory, which houses exhibits on the Japanese occupation of Singapore, and the heritage conservation and research arm, the Monuments Section and National Archives of Singapore.

Programmes and initiatives

The board runs a wide array of public programmes to promote heritage awareness. Its flagship event is the Singapore Heritage Festival, a nationwide celebration held annually. Other major initiatives include the Museums Night Festival in the Bras Basah.Bugis precinct, the Children's Season programme during school holidays, and the Our SG Heritage Plan which outlines strategic directions for the sector. The NHB also administers grant schemes like the Heritage Project Fund to support community projects, and digital initiatives such as the Roots.sg online portal, which provides access to the national collection and resources on Singapore's history.