In the early 1930's, a Japanese trained Chinese artist, Mr Huang Suiheng, who was also the founder of the Xiamen Art Academy in the People's Republic of China, stopped by Singapore on his way back from France. During his short stay here, Mr Huang observed that the strategic global position of Singapore together with its tropical influence made it an attractive place to set up an institution for fine arts. On his return to China, Mr Huang then approached Mr Lim Hak Tai, a teacher at the Xiamen Art Academy and persuaded Mr Lim to establish an art school in Singapore.

The local arts scene was very quiet before 1927 with a few isolated art activities. It was not until 1936 when a group of Chinese artists founded the Society of Chinese Artists that the first local arts body was formed.

The out-break of the Sino-Japanese war in 1937 drove Mr Lim Hak Tai and a group of art teachers to Singapore. They then visited Mr Tan See Siang, a local businessman to discuss the idea of establishing a fine art institution here in Singapore. Together with the Singapore Alumni of Jimei High School in Xiamen, Mr Tan invited Mr Lim to stay and establish an art school in Singapore. Mr Lim then agreed and together with a group of arts education enthusiasts, they undertook the responsibility of setting up an arts school in Singapore.

The Society of Chinese Artists actively supported Mr Lim Hak Tai in establishing an art school in Singapore. At its 12th Council Committee meeting held on 22nd December 1937, members of the Society such as Mr Li Kuishi, Yong Mun Sen, Mr Liu Kang, Mr Tchang Ju Chi and Mr Xu Junlian formed a Drafting Committee to assist Mr Lim in his efforts in setting up the fine arts academy.

On 10th February 1938, the Committee placed advertisements in the local Chinese daily newspapers "Xin Zhou Ri Bao" and "Nan Yang Ri Bao" to recruit students in the arts school. The minimum entry qualification was completion of secondary school education. However, those who did not meet the minimum entry qualification will still be considered for admission to the school so long as they have a keen interest in the arts. The registration period for admission took place from 25th February to 7th of March 1938. As the response was not good, the Committee put up another advertisement on 2nd of March in the "Nan Yang Shang Bao", another local Chinese daily newspaper. Following the recruitment drive, only 14 students were admitted to the arts school.

Hence the Nanyang Fine Arts College commenced lessons on 10th March 1938. Mr Lim Hak Tai was assigned to be the Principal by the School Management Committee with Mr Kao Fei Tse, Chang Ming Tse and Qiu Yingkui being assigned as teachers. The School was located at Lorong 167 Geylang, a two storey old bungalow just opposite the then Gay World.

The curriculum was modeled after that of the Xiamen art school. Courses offered were western arts classes, sculpture and applied arts. Students could also choose one of the 2 types of courses offered: 3-year full time courses - with classes from 9.00am to 12pm catering for professional training and afternoon classes from 1.00pm to 4.00pm offering optional courses. The second was a 2-year course on painting for those art enthusiasts who wanted to learn for enrichment.

Being an arts school set up by volunteers, the School relied heavily on the public for its finances. However, the small number of students enrolled in the School did not give the necessary confidence to the public. Without adequate financial support from donors, the School quickly ran into financial difficulties. It could not pay salaries to their teachers and could not offer the best facilities to the students. Fortunately, the School had a team of dedicated teachers who remained teaching at the School and also at other secondary schools to earn their keep. Mr Lim also used his own money to support the expenses of the School.

Notwithstanding the poor facilities, the results of the 14 students were very good. Mr Lin Yongxin, who studied western painting, won the first prize in the combined schools arts competition held by the then St. Andrew English School for his oil painting work entitled "Still Life".

In 1939, the second level of the School premise was rented out to the Hokkien Clan Association who used it to as temporary premises for the Marine School, which they had established. Shortly thereafter, the Hokkien Clan Association vacated the premise and the same was rented out to the Society of the Chinese Artists. As a result, the School jointly organised many activities with the Society. The Society also invited many famous artists from China such as Xu Beihong, Liu Haisu to lecture at the School. These joint activities benefited the School and the students tremendously. The student population increased gradually as a result of these joint activities. Following the increment of the student population, the School premise was insufficient. In 1940, the School moved to an old bungalow about 2 and half miles away, near the Whampoa River. The new environment was spacious, quiet and beautiful. They also rented the bungalow for the students' and teachers' accommodation. With the new facilities, the total student population increased to 50 students with a total of 12 teachers.

The graduation ceremony of the first batch of Western Arts students was held on 20th June 1940. Altogether there were four graduates: Tay Long, Lin Yongxin, Zhang Tanlin and Guo Chengcai. During the same year in September, the start of the new term attracted several well known Chinese artists to join the teaching team at the School. They include Huang Bao Fang, Chong Pai Mu and Tchang Ju Chi. Amongst the teachers was Mr See Hiang To who taught at the School for 36 years. He had many good students who later spread his works and teaching in Malaysia and Singapore.