National Gallery Singapore

The National Gallery Singapore, established as a premier institution for art and culture, is located in the Civic District of Singapore. Housing the world’s largest public collection of Singaporean and Southeast Asian art, with over 9,000 items, the Gallery is a testament to the rich artistic heritage of the region. It occupies two national monuments—the former Supreme Court and City Hall buildings—encompassing 64,000 square meters, making it Singapore’s largest visual arts venue and museum. Renowned for its breadth, scope, and magnitude of collections, it draws nearly two million visitors annually, offering complimentary admission to Singaporean citizens and permanent residents.

The Gallery’s focus is on modern and contemporary art, showcasing the development of Singaporean and regional cultures from the 19th century to the present day. It features two permanent galleries: the Singapore Gallery and the Southeast Asia Gallery. The National Collection, from which it mainly draws, started with a bequest of 93 works in 1976 and has grown significantly over the years. This collection now includes early 20th-century naturalistic paintings to contemporary video installations featuring works by major Singaporean and Southeast Asian artists of international repute.

In mid-2022, the National Gallery Singapore hosted a significant exhibition titled “Ever Present: First Peoples Art of Australia.” It exemplifies the Gallery’s commitment to showcasing diverse art forms and cultures, bridging the gap between Asian and Australian Indigenous art.