Keppel donates $12 million for arts education, as it celebrates 45th anniversary

Keppel Corporation has committed $12 million to National Art Gallery, Singapore in support of its centre for art education, to be named Keppel Centre for Art Education. -- PHOTO: KEPPEL CORPORATION 
Keppel Corporation has committed $12 million to National Art Gallery, Singapore in support of its centre for art education, to be named Keppel Centre for Art Education. -- PHOTO: KEPPEL CORPORATION 

KEPPEL Corporation today marked its 45th anniversary by donating $12 million to the National Art Gallery to help educate young people about the arts.

The industrial giant announced the donation at a gala dinner tonight for about 700 people, including President Tony Tan, ambassadors, government ministers and company employees.

Keppel chairman Lee Boon Yang and chief executive Choo Chiau Beng presented the cheque to National Art Gallery representatives at the event held in the Shangri-La Hotel.

The gallery will spend the money on its upcoming art centre, which will be named the Keppel Centre for Art Education.

It is estimated that it will engage 250,000 children, young people and families a year, when it opens in 2015.

The gala dinner marked Keppel's growth journey from a small ship repair yard into a global player in the offshore and marine, sustainable environment and urban living industries.

The company listed as a shipyard on the then-Stock Exchange of Singapore in 1980 with a market capitalisation of only $396 million. Keppel is worth about $19 billion today.

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