The Art of Impact:
Design, Meaning and Cultural Stewardship

Why do we create art? What impact, if any, does the art have?

These two questions lie at the heart of the dual seminars led by Associate Professor Greg Petersen from NUS’ Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music — both part of the Arts Appreciation Electives in the Distinguished Senior Fellowship Programme (DSFP).

An acclaimed educator and expert in aesthetics, Assoc Prof Petersen invites DSFP Candidates to reflect deeply on how we engage with art not just as consumers, but as interpreters, supporters, and meaning-makers. Through two distinct yet interrelated sessions, he weaves together themes of design, context, identity, and philanthropy — opening a powerful space for senior leaders to reconnect with the arts as a mirror, a compass, and a catalyst for cultural stewardship.

“It is wonderful to be part of a program that brings together a talented and disparate group of individuals united in developing themselves, individually and collectively,” shares Prof Petersen.

“In my segments of the programme, we will pivot around two of my favourite questions: Why do we create art? What impact, if any, does the art have? To answer these, we must also answer what, when, and where is art? These questions may sound abstract and philosophical, but we will remain firmly on earth as we apply these questions to our world today.”

Seminar 1: Design Principles and the What, When, and Where of Art

This seminar explores the essential design elements that define artistic expression across cultures. From the rhythmic structures of gamelan to the visual symbolism in Chinese opera or Thai music, Candidates will uncover how artistic traditions from Southeast Asia encode cultural narratives into form and structure.

Through guided dialogue, hands-on group work, and visual case studies, participants are encouraged to revisit familiar art forms through fresh perspectives, asking not just what art is, but where and when it becomes meaningful. This seminar challenges assumptions, emphasising how context — be it a concert hall, museum, or public space — can radically shift our understanding of art’s role and relevance.

Seminar 2: Art and Philanthropy

The second session zooms out to look at the economic forces that sustain the creative world. From Renaissance patrons to modern foundations, the seminar examines how philanthropy and patronage have historically shaped the creation, access, and diversity of art.

DSFP Candidates will explore how art both reflects and influences the values of a society, and what it means to support art not just financially, but as an act of legacy, identity, and community-building. Through interactive discussions, the seminar culminates in imagining new models of artistic support — ones that are inclusive, dynamic, and future-oriented.

Together, these two seminars expand the DSFP journey from the boardroom to the gallery, from strategy to storytelling. They invite senior leaders to not only understand the societal role of art, but to see themselves as part of its evolving ecosystem.

Whether as future patrons, cultural advocates, or creators of personal legacy, DSFP Candidates will walk away with new frames through which to see, support, and steward artistic expression in their next chapter.