As we eagerly await your return to our sunny island, many of Singapore’s most beloved cultural institutions have opened their doors to the public, and are ripe for rediscovery.
Whether you’re an avid lover of historical enquiry, or just looking to delve into the rich history of our country and region, these troves of culture are certainly worth a visit during your next visit to our sunny island.
We bring you the lowdown on each of these storied establishments, as well as virtual events and online activities you can participate in to whet your appetite and better plan your upcoming trip.
National Gallery Singapore
Screenshot from National Gallery Singapore
One of the brightest stars in Singapore’s constellation of museums and galleries, the National Gallery Singapore is a trove for culture vultures and history buffs alike.
Housed within the Singapore’s Former City Hall and Supreme Court, the gallery is home to the world’s largest collection of modern Singaporean and Southeast Asian art.
If you’re looking to get clued in on the gallery’s offerings before your next trip to Singapore, be sure to check out the gallery’s Facebook Page and website.
The former boasts a whole range of virtual events, including insightful videos from the museum curators, collaborative showcases with local writers and artists and virtual tours streamed on Facebook Live.
To get your daily dose of artistic inspiration, be sure to check out the Gallery Anywhere section of the establishment’s website. This online initiative offers a whole gamut of virtual experiences, including incisive interviews, riveting videos and even a digital poetry writing project that you can participate in.
National Gallery Singapore. 1 St. Andrew’s Road, Singapore 178957. +65 6271 7000.
Daily 10am-7pm.
ArtScience Museum™
Conceived by world-renowned architect Mosh Safdie, the striking lines and floral-inspired design of the ArtScience Museum™ is a work of inspiration in itself.
Venture into its halls, and you’ll find a range of exhibitions and showcases that lie at the intersection of technology and artistry.
Past exhibitions here have included Human + —a foray into the future of human augmentation, cyborgs and clones— and Disney: Magic of Animation, which delves into the technological and artistic nuances of 3D animation.
The museum’s website is constantly updated with tours that explore themes like space exploration and the works of prominent women in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics.
Be sure to give their Facebook Page a like to stay updated on other virtual activities—ranging from livestream interviews with filmmakers, online conversations with climate change experts and virtual performances by talented musicians.
ArtScience Museum™. 6 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018974. +65 6688 8888.
Daily 10am-7pm.
Asian Civilisations Museum
Located a stone’s throw away from the Singapore River, the Asian Civilisations Museum is devoted to the exploration of Asia’s rich history and culture.
The museum is a trove of relics and artefacts that trace the trajectory of regional trade, religion and culture. Visitors can discover unearthed treasures at the Tang Shipwreck display, or learn about ancient Buddhist and Hindu practices at the Faith and Belief Gallery.
Visit the tour section of the establishment’s website to view Augmented Reality-enhanced models of the museum’s artefacts, or take a virtual tour of their Material and Designs Gallery.
You may also want to check out their Facebook page for exciting updates and live-streamed performances, which have included a virtual collaboration with the talented maestros from the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music.
Asian Civilisations Museum. 1 Empress Place, Singapore 179555. +65 6332 7798.
Mon-Thu, Sat & Sun 10am-7pm; Fri 10am-9pm.
National Museum of Singapore
Image from National Museum of Singapore Facebook Page
The grand old dame of museums and cultural institutions on our island, the National Museum of Singapore has long been a stomping ground for culture buffs and individuals thirsty for new knowledge.
The museum’s permanent exhibitions—housed in the Singapore History gallery and Living Galleries—piece together the past of our nation in a compelling narrative.
The establishment has also hosted a whole array of past exhibitions including Magic and Menace—which unearthed supernatural beliefs in the region— and An Old New World: From the East Indies to the Founding of Singapore, which explores Singapore’s colonial past.
For a sample of the museum’s insightful curation and wealth of knowledge, head to the establishment’s Facebook Page. We recommend watching the museum’s Zoom Into History Video series—a playful look at artefacts and everyday objects that have defined our nation’s past.
Alternatively, pay a visit to the museum’s website to explore an archive of digital exhibitions. These include The Restoration of Bodies—a scintillating look at medical practices in the region— and online street photography exhibitions like #NEVERBEFORESG.
National Museum of Singapore. 93 Stamford Road, Singapore 178897. +65 6332 3659.
Daily 10am-7pm.
Singapore Philatelic Museum
Screenshot from National Heritage Board
The museum is currently closed for redevelopment until 2021, so be sure to visit their website regularly, to see if the establishment’s reopening coincides with your next trip to Singapore.
In our era of emails and instant messaging apps, stamps may seem like quaint artefacts of bygone age. But these prototype tools of mass communication can still provide fascinating insights into our past.
Located in a charmingly preserved colonial building, the Singapore Philatelic Museum tracks the history of stamp usage from the 1830s to the present day.
Curious lovers of culture can embark on a virtual tour of the premises and explore past exhibits, with themes ranging from the history of Singapore to popular culture-based showcases such as The Little Prince and Harry Potter.
History buffs can dive into the Room of Rarities to find ancient stamps and dispensing machines, or the evolution of stamps in the Lion City with Singapore Journey: 50 Years through Stamps.
The establishment’s Facebook page is constantly updated with news about the museum’s travelling tours, virtual exhibitions and interesting factoids, and is certainly worth checking
Singapore Philatelic Museum. 23-B Coleman Street, Singapore 179807. +65 6337 3888.