Shawn Hoo

Shawn is a journalist on the arts beat at The Straits Times. He reviews books and reports on theatre and the visual arts as well as other cultural issues, for the Life desk. Prior to joining ST in 2022, he spent two years teaching writing and literature at higher education institutions in Shanghai and Singapore. He believes the arts, arts education and arts writing are essential.

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Former Singapore Writers Festival director Yeow Kai Chai to head 30th edition in 2027

Poet Yeow Kai Chai will helm the 30th edition of the Singapore Writers Festival in 2027.

Three Singapore orchestras mark milestone anniversaries even as challenges loom

The Straits Times speaks to three classical music groups – the Singapore Chinese Orchestra, Orkestra Melayu Singapura and Resound Collective – about how the scene has changed over the years, their milestones and future plans.

Facing closure, Orkestra Melayu Singapura reinvents itself as arts group at 35

At 35, Singapore’s first Malay orchestra Orkestra Melayu Singapura is going back to basics as a newly formed independent arts company.

Only 10, Resound Collective wants to grow one of Asia’s best chamber orchestras

Resound Collective artistic director Mervin Beng (left) and associate artistic director Yang Shuxiang (right) are leading the young chamber music collective into its next decade.

Singapore Chinese Orchestra rethinks multiculturalism as it turns 30

Singapore Chinese Orchestra’s principal conductor Quek Ling Kiong is leading the SCO into its 30th anniversary.

Apsaras Dance Company opens jubilee season with a work on digital life to woo young audiences

Apsaras Dance Company’s jubilee season begins with Agape: The Human Connection, a collaboration with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra.

Singapore Arts Guide (July 23 to Aug 2): Celebrate new Cantonment MRT with TPD party; free admission to SAM

To mark the opening of the new Cantonment MRT station, eight art spaces in the nearby Tanjong Pagar Distripark are hosting a “distri-party” on July 25.

‘I’ve only just begun’: Ex-AWARE chief Dana Lam, 73, holds first solo art exhibition

Artist and former Association of Women for Action and Research president Dana Lam’s first solo exhibition Who Knows Where The Bird Goes opens July 22.

$20m multicultural arts grant: New panel wants strong artistic visions, better ecosystem

A new 12-member President’s Challenge Multiculturalism Panel will advise on the disbursement of the new $20 million Multicultural Arts Programme Grant, which opens for applications on July 15.

17 Singapore books to look forward to for the rest of 2026

Tentative cover of Snakes Of Singapore: A Slightly Unhinged Field Guide by Juliette Yu-Ming Lizeray.

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