artLIVE – The year 2025 marks the 10th anniversary of the National Gallery Singapore. Since opening in 2015, the museum has welcomed over 14 million visitors, becoming a leading cultural hub in the region and a cherished gathering place for art lovers.
Over the past decade, the Gallery has evolved beyond a repository of artworks to become a bridge connecting artists with the public. Dr. Eugene Tan, Director of the Gallery, shared: “Every visitor and artist contributes to our story. Art is not only found on our walls; it lives in the connections between people.”
With groundbreaking exhibitions such as “Yayoi Kusama: Life is the Heart of a Rainbow” in 2017 and “Tropical: Stories from Southeast Asia and Latin America” in 2023, the Gallery has redefined the art experience in Singapore.
Annual festivals like “Light to Night Singapore” and “The Gallery Children’s Biennale” attract hundreds of thousands of visitors, transforming the civic district into a lively arts destination. Digital initiatives, educational programs, and community outreach have further expanded the Gallery’s impact, cementing Southeast Asian art on the global cultural map.
On 15 and 16 November, the “Gallery’s 10th Birthday Bash” will transform the entire museum into a vibrant celebration of art, music, food, and performances. More than ten major exhibitions will be launched, including “Into the Modern: Impressionism from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston”, the largest Impressionist exhibition from France ever presented in Southeast Asia.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to meet cultural figures such as Gurmit Singh, Kishan, Liu Ling Ling, and Shazza during “Artsplaining: 10th Anniversary Edition”, where they will share engaging stories, witty perspectives, and intimate reflections on art.
For those seeking high-energy experiences, “Gallery Rave: Day Edition” and “KCAE After Dark” offer immersive spaces with dazzling lights, DJ performances, and interactive art installations. Children can enjoy creative activities such as face painting, dough crafting, and art baking, sparking imagination and playful exploration.
Art enthusiasts can join “Sketch Chapter: 10th Anniversary Edition | Unguided”, an open sketching session encouraging free exploration across the Gallery. The community is also invited to contribute to “Your Gallery Memory: Community Photography Showcase” by submitting personal photos taken at the Gallery over the past ten years. In addition, the Gallery Birthday Mixtape project allows visitors to share their favorite songs, filling the museum with music throughout the celebration.
A special highlight is the Gallery’s collaboration with 13 local brands, the largest cultural partnership project in Singapore to date. From fashion and food to lifestyle, each brand interprets the Gallery’s story creatively. A portion of proceeds will support community arts programs, promoting the spirit of “art for everyone.”
Alongside these events, the Gallery has launched a digital platform commemorating its 10th anniversary, showcasing its journey, community stories, and memorable collaborations. Visitors can also take an “art personality quiz” to discover artworks that best reflect themselves, creating a unique connection between art and people.
After ten years, the National Gallery Singapore has become a symbol of harmony between art and humanity, a place where memory, emotion, and creativity meet. This anniversary is not only a moment to celebrate the past but also to open a new chapter, reaffirming the Gallery’s mission of bringing art closer to all. Art, at its heart, is the breath of life.
Photos: National Gallery Singapore
