Lee Sin Tiew

Lee Sin Tiew is a Malaysian entrepreneur and educator who has used her finance background to launch a creative arts empire and become a powerful advocate for arts education.

She has completed a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Commerce, climbed the corporate ladder and led a nationwide chain of creative arts schools in Malaysia.

She is also a philanthropist, who was inspired by her own humble beginnings to give back to marginalized communities in her homeland.

A quiet determination to make a difference, paired with business acumen has helped her champion the transformative benefits of arts education and create lasting social impact.

Lee Sin Tiew knows from first-hand experience the difference a helping hand makes. Without a scholarship from The Star Education Fund, she would never have made it to university.

My father was a teacher, and he retired when I was still in primary school,” she said.

“My family really couldn’t afford for me to study at university.

“But education has really changed my life.”

A full scholarship from the Malaysia Australian Alumni Council (MACC) allowed her to fulfil her dream of studying abroad.

In 2009, she embarked on a Master of Commerce at Griffith University – an experience she describes as life-changing.

"I really feel that it gave me so much more confidence and broadened my perspective – at Griffith we were encouraged to think creatively and share our ideas.

“The difference between an ordinary person and an extraordinary person is creativity. I wanted to foster those problem-solving skills and creativity in children, and art was the perfect platform.”

She used the skills and knowledge she attained during her studies at Griffith University to take over the Artivo School of Creativity – showing how a creative arts education can transform young lives, one child at a time.

She left behind a lucrative corporate career to launch the art studio, starting off with a single studio and two students.

She is now the managing director of 19 centres in Malaysia, juggling her business with two young children.

The schools offer after-school programs in art, illustration and graphic design, and she plans to expand the business across south-east Asia over the next five years.

“My Dad always told me that teaching is not about ticking boxes and completing the syllabus, it’s about how can we create a positive impact.”

Lee Sin Tiew is focused on social change, launching an annual art exhibition that raises money for underprivileged children and rolling out an arts program in Malaysian schools for children with special needs.

Under her leadership, ARTIVO won the Sin Chew Education Award 2018, The Page Elite Entrepreneur Award 2018, Best Creative Art School for Kids Award 2019, Brand Excellence Award 2020, Innovation Excellence Award 2020 and National Consumer’s Choice Award 2020 in Malaysia.

She has become a popular keynote speaker in Malaysia and was the guest speaker for “Edu Summit 2020”, an initiative of the Ministry of Education Malaysia.

“An arts education helps develop character, unlocks creativity and imagination, which creates confidence and success,” she said.

“I want to inspire and influence as many children as I can.”

Lee Sin Tiew has received numerous awards and recognition for her work, including most recently being named a Global Peace Ambassador for Global Peace Chain, as well as being named an MACC Scholarship Ambassador. And now she can add Griffith Business School’s 2021 Outstanding Young Alumnus to the list.

"Receiving this recognition from Griffith University is such an honour, as it highlights the importance of the things I’m passionate about,” she said.