SG60: S1965 Heritage Arts Competition – A Nationwide Mural Trail Reimagining 1965

​Step into Their Shoes. Paint Their Stories.

​What was it like to be a kid in 1965? There were no iPads, no air-conditioned malls, and no high-rise skylines. But there were incredible stories, hidden adventures, and a spirit of togetherness that built the Singapore we live in today.

​To celebrate SG60, we are inviting children (ages 7–12) to become Heritage Detectives. Your mission: Go back in time by talking to your grandparents, discover how they lived, and bring their "Olden Days" to life on our community walls.

​🕵️ A Nationwide Heritage Mission: How It Works

​Phase 1: The Discovery (On Paper)

​Before you pick up a brush, you must pick up a story!

​The Interview: Sit down with your gong-gong, amah, thatha, or patti. Ask them the "Big Questions" (check out our interview guide below!).

​The Inspiration: Did they carry water from a well? Did they play in the rain without shoes? What did their first HDB flat smell like?

​The Artwork: On A3 paper, draw a scene from your grandparent’s childhood. Don’t just draw a building—draw the life they lived. Show us the games they played, the food they shared, and the smiles they had.

​Deadline: Before 30 June 2026

​Phase 2: The Legacy (On the Wall)

​The most heartwarming and vivid stories will move from paper to the streets!

​The Wall: Selected artists will be invited to their local constituency’s "SG60 Wall."

​The Big Paint: You will work with professional muralists to paint your grandparent’s story onto a massive public mural.

​The Unveiling: Imagine bringing your grandparent to the wall to say: "Look! I painted your story for everyone to see."

​🎤 Be a Heritage Detective: Questions to Ask

• ​Not sure what to draw? Try asking your grandparents these questions to unlock their memories:

• ​"What was your favorite toy that didn't use batteries or electricity?"

• ​"What did you buy with 10 cents at the school canteen in 1965?"

• ​"Tell me about your neighbors—did you all leave your doors open?"

• ​"What was the most exciting thing you saw on the streets when Singapore became independent?"

​🏆 A Special SG60 Honor

​🧱 Permanent Mural: Your art becomes a permanent part of your neighborhood's history.

​📸 The "Generations" Photo: A professional photo of you and your grandparent in front of your mural.

​📜 Certificate of Honor: Signed by your local MP to thank you for preserving our national stories.

​📋 Ready to Start?

​📋 How to Join

Step Action

Step 1 : Research and create a folder, download a list of fun questions and old photos of 1965 for your reference to start your journey to 1965.

Step 2: Have the Talk. Record or write down what your grandparent tells you.

Step 3: Draw the Memory. Use bold colors to show how vibrant life was back then!

Step 4: Download and fill up the form, attach your drawing and a photo of you with your "Heritage Hero" (Grandparent) and send it to swingby@monkeebusiness.com.

​"To know where we are going, we must first see through the eyes of those who came before us."

​Note to Parents & Schools

​This initiative is designed to spark Intergenerational Conversations. In a digital age, these face-to-face stories are the most precious heritage we have. By participating, your child isn't just winning a prize; they are documenting a piece of Singapore’s soul for SG60.