GGRAsia – MBS pledges over US$600k to Public Art Trust, Singapore

MBS pledges over US$600k to Public Art Trust, Singapore

Jul 21, 2014 Newsdesk Latest News, Singapore, Top of the deck

Marina Bay Sands Pte Ltd, which operates the Singapore casino resort Marina Bay Sands (pictured), has pledged an “early and symbolic support” of SGD750,000 (US$604,260) for the country’s new Public Art Trust by the National Arts Council, the company announced in a press release.

“Marina Bay Sands has always been committed to promoting art literacy and appreciation in Singapore and we are pleased to be the first company to support a meaningful cause like the Public Art Trust,” chief executive and president George Tanasijevich said in a statement. The company is a subsidiary of U.S.-based casino operator Las Vegas Sands Corp.

The Public Art Trust, launched in March, is to commission, display and promote artworks in public spaces in Singapore.

“This is the very first pledge we have received, even before the trust has been formally established,” stated Paul Tan, deputy chief executive of National Arts Council, a government body.

Separately, Marina Bay Sands received on July 17 the Distinguished Patron of the Arts Award 2014 from the National Arts Council. The award celebrates and recognises the support, in cash or in kind, of private corporations and individuals to the arts annually. This was the third consecutive year that the casino resort clinched the award.

Las Vegas Sands has filed a request to the Singapore government for land to build more hotel rooms at Marina Bay Sands, Bloomberg reported in March. The company wants to add 1,500 rooms to the 2,560 existing ones, and also add more meeting room, ballroom and exhibition space.