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Impact of LOF
Discover how LOF brings art, writing and organ donation together, giving our young people a creative way to explore a topic that matters.
Last updated on 4 November 2026
What is Live On Festival?
Organ donation is a topic that touches lives, yet it is not often talked about. How do we start that conversation?
This is what Live On Festival (LOF) is all about.
Now entering its 10th year, LOF has grown into one of the largest art and writing competitions on organ donation in the world, bringing together youths and educators to explore a topic that matters to us all through art and writing.
For youths, LOF is an opportunity to turn your ideas into something others can see, read and connect with. Whether through an artwork or an essay, participants can express themselves, explore new perspectives and help open up conversations about organ donation.
For educators, LOF offers a meaningful way to bring real-world issues into the classroom. Today, many teachers have incorporated LOF’s sharing sessions and competitions into subjects such as English, Art, Science and Character & Citizenship Education (CCE), using organ donation as a starting point to explore values such as empathy, compassion and responsibility.
Whether you are a student with an idea to share or an educator looking for ways to connect classroom learning with the world beyond it, there is a place for you at LOF.
Over the years, the Live On Festival has provided young people with a meaningful platform to shed new light on the topic of organ donation and transplantation ... Time and again, our participants have stepped up to that challenge with creativity and courage, and in doing so, have helped transform the way our society understands and talks about organ donation.— Dr Syed Harun Alhabsyi, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Education and Ministry of National Development
How have participants made an impact through the Live On Festival?
I think it starts with the youth. (…) If they get the idea, they get the emphasis, it’s not too long before the community will also be involved.— Adj Asst Prof Naville Chia, Chairperson, Organ Transplant Improvement Programme, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital
When learning inspires a school community
What students take away from LOF can extend beyond the classroom. Inspired by conversations about organ donation during a school talk, student leaders from Bartley Secondary School rallied their school community to fold stars for deceased organ donor families, in honour of our Heroes, as part of Stars of Love project. In recognition of their efforts, Bartley Secondary School received the inaugural Friends of NOTU Award for going above and beyond to turn kindness into action. It is a timely reminder of how a simple act of kindness can grow into a schoolwide movement.
When creativity becomes a lasting tribute
The impact of a creative work can extend far beyond LOF, beyond the competition. One winning entry from LOF 2025 - Design Competition was adapted and reproduced on the donor medallion, which is presented to deceased donor families in recognition of their loved ones’ act of organ donation.
By becoming part of this tribute, the artist’s work took on a deeper significance in honouring the legacy of our Heroes and offering their families a lasting symbol of remembrance. This is an example of how creative expression can carry a message beyond the page or canvas, touching lives in ways its creator may never have imagined.
Beyond the competition, into the community
Through LOF’s roving exhibitions, these creative works reach beyond an Awards Ceremony and into the wider community. Displayed in shared public spaces, they offer people opportunities to encounter and reflect on organ donation through the perspectives of the artists and writers.
By bringing these works into everyday spaces, LOF increases the visibility and approachability of organ donation, encouraging the public to learn, reflect and start conversations about a topic that touches lives across generations.
That's not all! Hear from our students and educators on their LOF journey.
Next Stop: Live On Festival 2027
What you can gain from taking part:
Create and grow.
Develop your skills as an artist or writer while exploring a topic that matters.
Get recognised.
Receive a Certificate of Participation and stand a chance to win up to $500 in Capitaland vouchers.
See your work come to life.
Selected entries may be adapted into tote bags or essay books for NOTU’s publicity events.
LOF is back for its 10th iteration!
Join us in sharing your perspective, sparking meaningful conversations and be a part of a milestone edition!
Key Dates for LOF 2027
Key Dates of the Competition are subject to changes.
Date | Activity |
|---|---|
1 January 2027 | Submissions Open |
January to May 2027 | Competition Period and Sharing Sessions |
28 May 2027 | Submissions Close |
End August 2027 | Awards Ceremony and Release of Results |
13 – 24 September 2027 | Distribution of Certificate of Participation and return of Traditional Artworks |
From October 2027 to June 2028 | Physical exhibitions of selected winning artworks and essays at various locations (e.g. schools, hospitals and libraries). |
Interested in joining LOF or sharing LOF with your students?
Visit the step-by-step guides linked below to get started.