Presented by City Developments Limited (CDL) since 2005, the Singapore Young Photographer Award (SYPA) is a national award that aims to promote the art of photography amongst young Singaporeans, as well as to recognise and nurture budding photographic talents.

Initiated by the late Mr Kwek Leng Joo, Deputy Chairman of CDL, the CDL SYPA is an extension of the photo tribute “To Singapore with Love”, in celebration of Singapore’s 40th birthday in 2005. Mr Kwek was a firm believer in youth development. An avid photographer, he dedicated his life to grooming the youth, especially in the areas of photography and corporate social responsibility.

For the 8th edition CDL SYPA in 2020, the theme ZERO aims to provoke rethinking of climate related problems around us and how we should change for a more sustainable future. SYPA invites creative interpretation and presentation of issues that aim for ZERO. It can be about zero waste, zero energy, zero marine pollution that links to UN Sustainable Development Goals 7, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15.

There will be 2 grand winners and 4 merits recipients receiving cash prizes of S$10,000 in total. During the open call period, a series of engagement programmes (or fringe events) will take place to spur young photographers to explore the theme “ZERO” and to improve on their technical skills to present their submissions.

Submission for the award is open to all students ages 13 to 25 years old in Singapore, including international schools. Participants will submit via online to either the Junior or Youth categories.

This edition would also be the first time that SYPA will be part of the Singapore International Photography Festival. In November 2020, SYPA winners will be announced during the official opening of 7th edition of the Singapore International Photography Festival, one of the biggest photography platforms held in Southeast Asia. Their works will be exhibited as a digital showcase at DECK.

Click here to find out more about SYPA.