The National Arts Council (NAC) launched its new International Arts Residency scheme on Wednesday, and has pledged $2 million over five years to fund these initiatives.

Its chief executive, Mr Lee Suan Hiang, said at a press briefing: "Many Singaporean arts practitioners have the talent and are willing to make their mark internationally, but lack the opportunities on the world stage.

"The International Arts Residency provides this critical boost by opening doors for Singapore artists to prestigious residencies where they can immerse in new spaces, widen their horizons and gain new insights into arts-making."

The scheme, which also encourages cross-disciplinary exchanges, will fund up to $50,000 per overseas residency, which can last up to a year.

Interested artists can either seek their own residencies and attachments or answer calls for applications to residencies pre-arranged by the council.