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Singapore is no short supply of art and cultural entertainment. The scene is blossoming and there's plenty to see, do and experience in the Garden City.
Marco Ruiz - Staff Writer
Singapore’s history is rich and its cultural offering is vibrant. Recent years have seen big-ticket exhibitions pass through and draw huge crowds, but Singapore’s museums and galleries are home to permanent exhibitions that are awe-inspiring, wondrous and also incredibly educational. There’s no shortage of them either, so we’ve rounded up some of the best and some of our favourites that we think should be visited once, twice and every time you get the chance.
Entry to many is free for Singaporeans, permanent residents and young children.
The National Museum of Singapore is home to over 1,700 historical and cultural artefacts housed in the Singapore History Gallery, Life in Singapore: The Past 100 Years Galleries and Goh Seng Choo Gallery. There are interactive exhibits, installations you can walk through and impressive Story of the Forest exhibition.
Best of all, it’s free to visit for citizens, permanent residents and children ages 6 years and under. For everyone else, get your tickets here.
📍93 Stamford Road, Singapore
Find out everything you need to know about the National Museum of Singapore here.
Across 21 galleries, art and science come together to explore creative processes, the future, other worlds and a VR experience as well where curiosity, innovation and experimentation are celebrated. Hands-on workshops and exhibits will excite your senses.
Ticket prices vary according to which gallery you visit.📍6 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore
For everything you need to know about the ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands, head over here.
There is no bigger museum or gallery in Singapore than the National Gallery Singapore. Formerly the Supreme Court and City Hall, it’s mammoth and it’s home to the largest public collection of Singaporean and Southeast Asian art in the world focusing on art from the 19th century up until today. It’s also home to sumptuous restaurants as well as the Smoke & Mirrors rooftop bar, which is well worth a visit.
If you’re a local, entry is free. For everyone else, grab your tickets here.
📍1 St Andrew’s Road, #01 – 01, Singapore
Plan your visit to the National Gallery Singapore here.
If you like toys—why wouldn’t you?—and they hold a special place in your heart, your memory, your childhood, then look no further than MINT Museum of Toys where you can be surrounded by more than 50,000 of them. Dating from as far back as the 1840s and collected from 40 countries, the museum is four levels of nostalgia divided into four thematic themes.
At MINT Museum of Toys you will be able to see the only known complete Batman robot toy, the only Mekon Mask from Dan Dare in existence and the first mass-manufactured robot before World War II.
📍26 Seah Street, Singapore
Get your tickets to MINT Museum of Toys here.
China, Southeast Asia, South Asia and West Asia are all represented at Asian Civilisations Museum where a pan-Asia perspective on our cultures is showcased across 11 galleries and 5000 years. Take your time, there’s a lot to get through.
The museum’s permanent galleries are free to explore for Singaporeans and permanent residents so if you need a ticket, click here.
📍1 Empress Place, Singapore
Plan ahead and see what’s on here.
If you’re after somewhere a bit more light, a lot more fun and where you can feature in the art as well, then the Trick Eye Museum at Resorts World Sentosa is your go-to place. Enter the worlds of optical illusions and more where you can touch, feel and interact with the artworks.
Play with what you see at Trick Eye.📍80 Siloso Road, Southside Interim Market Blk B # 01, #04, Singapore
More information can be found here.
Wax museums never cease to amaze and they’re only getting better. Madame Tussauds in Singapore is no different with star-studded experiences, a VR racing experience and the Spirit of Singapore boat ride. Take selfies next to famous film stars, international celebrities and local heroes. Don’t forget to get up close to your favourite Marvel characters while enjoying a 4D movie.
Try out the full Madame Tussauds experience.📍40 Imbiah Road, Sentosa, Singapore
There’s even more you can do at Madame Tussauds—find out here.
The name of this museum pretty much says everything you need to know about what you will find inside. And if that’s not enough, the building itself resembles a vintage analogue camera as well. Inside, you’ll find old-school spy cameras, retro equipment and photographs too. Wondering how long you can spend inside? Well, how long would it take you to peruse the more than 1000 cameras?
📍8C Jln Kledek, Singapore
The Lee Kong Chian National History Museum is also a research hub where scientists and the like are studying out past to better understand our present and our future. And they’ve got more than a thing or two to show us. From dinosaur fossils to displays of extinct animals and giant mammals as well as workshops where you can get a hands-on education, there’s a heap to explore and find out.
📍2 Conservatory Drive, Singapore
SAM is Singapore’s Contemporary Art in South East Asia museum. It is building one of the most important collections of Southeast Asian art in the world at multiple venues. At Tanjong Pagar Distripark, there are programs and exhibitions to fascinate and educate.
📍39 Keppel Road, #01-02, Singapore
Find out what’s on at the moment and what’s coming at this year with the events calander.
Gillman Barracks is nine galleries and one workshop all in one place, which just so happens to be a former military barracks dating back to 1936. It has become one of Singapore’s leading and focal points for art lovers.
There’s just so much going on at Gillman Barracks including art outreach and tours as well as after-dark activities that it should definitely be on any art list in Singapore.
📍9 Lock Road, Singapore
Get a closer look at the galleries here.
Mr Lim’s is by appointment only because it is often closed, but this “gallery thingy” has some pretty cool pieces from Mr Lim’s private collection. He’s also shaking up the Singapore art scene and showcasing some “hot-art-star-stuff”.
📍#01-43 Tanglin Shopping Centre, 19 Tanglin Road, Singapore
Book an appointment or see what’s on at Mr Lim’s.
When you’re looking for more new artists, then White Space Art Asia needs to be visited. While they won’t necessarily answer you if you ask Is this good art?, they will tell you that “good art starts with artists with strong fundamental grounding in art and has a compelling story to tell”.
📍1H Yong Siak Street, Singapore