As part of enhancement plans announced earlier this year to restore the rich history of Fort Canning Park, the National Parks Board (NParks) will be refreshing the Archaeological Dig exhibition for the first time in 17 years. First completed in 2001, the 17-year-old site houses an archaeological dig site, artefacts found around Fort Canning Park and educational panels on the history of the artefacts. NParks will be improving the exhibition area to allow for more hands-on interactive spaces. Interpretation panels on the various soil layers and embedded artefacts will also be updated and improved.

The historically significant site will include a new outdoor garden and the area will be renamed Artisan’s Garden as it is believed to be the site of a 14th century palace workshop. The existing shelter of the exhibition will be expanded to include a wider gallery space, new interpretative panels and display showcases. There will be three zones within the new site. The first zone will have an introduction to the site as well as an open space for workshops. There will also be a sand pit where organised groups can experience simulated hands-on archaeological excavation activities. The second zone will have multimedia educational panels on the artefacts including recent discoveries, giving a glimpse of past life on the hill. Artefacts from the 14th to 19th centuries will also be on display. The third zone will feature interactive educational play features for visitors of all ages to learn about archaeology and the history of the site. As part of educational opportunities for visitors to learn more about archaeology and the history of Fort Canning Park, NParks will also be developing a range of archaeology-related programmes and activities.

The site will be closed from November 2018 and reopened in June 2019.

Located at 155 Waterloo Street, Stamford Arts Centre (SAC) is within the Waterloo Street arts belt, a vibrant precinct known for the diverse offerings of arts and cultural programmes and events. Following redevelopment works from 2017 to 2018 that transformed SAC into a modernised Centre with enhanced features, SAC is envisioned to be a vibrant and energetic arts centre focussed on bringing the traditional arts closer to the community, supporting content creation and artistic collaborations.

SAC provides shared facilities for hire on a short-term basis for arts activities and projects.  These include five project studios, an acoustically-treated music studio, and a black box.

The SAC black box is designed to be a multi-purpose space that provides an intimate setting for rehearsals, performances or events. With a total floor area of 355 sqm, the fully air-conditioned black box provides performance capabilities with theatre grid and lighting, as well a fully integrated sound system. Retractable seats with a capacity of up to 162 persons are available for small scale performances.  A modular sprung floor system is also available when required.

Email: SAC_queries@nac.gov.sg

Located along Tampines Road, north of Paya Lebar Air Base, Goldhill Memorial Centre will be a fully automated columbarium and it will also use innovative technology to optimise its space. It is expected to open around the end of 2019. 

Constant evolution and breakthroughs are the essence of success and prosperity. Singapore’s economic history have testified to this statement, continually innovating quickly. Interestingly, the columbarium industry has a different pace of progress despite the growing demand from the society. Singapore land scarcity and generations’ unmet expectations of memorial services drive Goldhill memorial to pioneer a new age of columbarium service. 

Goldhill Memorial Centre is presenting a leap of the industry’s evolution in Singapore.

Tampines Road

Tel: +65 6266 4320 Email: services@goldhillmc.com

One of the few landmarks on Waterloo Street, the 148-year old Sri Krishnan Temple reopens after four years of restoration works costing nearly $4 million.

The shrines, ceilings, temple dome and pillars were all upgraded in the renovation. Intricate decorative works on the pillars required two sculptors working on them on-site over 3 years.

One of the oldest Hindu temples in Singapore, Sri Krishnan Temple's recent consecration ceremony called Maha Samprokshanam (done every 12 to 15 years) was attended by some 10,000 devotees.

152 Waterloo Street

Tel: +65 6337 7957 Email: srikrishnatemple@hotmail.com

(Photo Credit: Joseph Nair & SgHindu)

The Art Fund Gallery (TAF Gallery), a newly formed art venture in Singapore has launched their first exhibition with the installment of a series of contemporary art from Mongolia introducing 10 artists and over 100 pieces of artwork at their private gallery located on Cairnhill Road. The inaugural exhibition called Colour Up My Life features the debut of investment quality Mongolian art in Singapore. 

A first of its kind and the biggest private collection outside of Mongolia, Colour Up My Life is a compendium of artwork representing Mongolia’s rich artistic heritage. This rare and beautifully varied collection depicts Mongolian landscape, horses and wildlife, nomadic life, the seasons and abstract art by 10 of Mongolia’s finest artists whose solo works have been featured in Europe and the UK and now collectively in Singapore. 

Founded in 2018 by three partners with a passion for art and investment, Dr. Lanz Chan, Mr. Argun Boldkhet and Mr. Mark Foo, TAF Gallery is an art space with a mission to bring international artists, collectors, enthusiasts and art dealers together to create new possibilities and opportunities for the art community and charity organisations. 

All three partners of TAF Gallery are involved professionally in various companies specializing in new technology (AI), Fintech, energy and the environment. 

The gallery space is 6,000 sq ft set over two floors and is currently home to over 100 works of art by the very best Mongolian artists. Viewings are by appointment only. 

Kwong Wai Siew Peck San Theng Heritage Gallery is a museum set up by Peck San Theng, a cultural organisation and columbarium based in Bishan with beginnings since 1870. 

Supported by National Heritage Board, Singapore, the museum was conceptualised in 2016 and completed in 2018. 

Did you know that more than two-thirds of the current Bishan town was once occupied by a cemetery and a village? Since the 19th century, Bishan was a Chinese burial ground called Peck San Theng. The Cantonese community was in charge of Peck San Theng, with more than 50,000 graves spread across the region. Kampong San Theng was the main Chinese village then.

The new $700,000 heritage gallery tells the story of Kampong San Teng. 

The 560 sqm gallery held its official opening on 3rd June. 

Admission to the gallery is free. It is open from 9.30am to 4pm every day except on public holidays.

50 Bishan Lane

Tel: +65 6256 2426 Email: pstheng@singnet.com.sg

Richard Orlinski is the best-selling French contemporary artist in the world. The newly-opened Richard Orlinski Gallery at Marina Bay Sands is a pop art concept store where you can find his statement art pieces.

2 Bayfront Avenue, Unit #B1-146 The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands

Tel: +65 6688 7244 Email: singapore@galerie-orlinski.com

The regional art scene is set to become more vibrant with the major revamp of the Singapore Art Museum (SAM). 

SAM opened to much fanfare in 1996 in a converted museum space that once housed the former Saint Joseph’s Institution and has not upgraded its premises since. The upcoming building works will address the growing needs of contemporary art in Singapore and focus on improving the visitor experience at SAM. The project is targeted for completion in 2021.

SAM currently occupies two separate buildings – the former St Joseph’s Institution (SJI) along Bras Basah Road - a gazetted National Monument, and the former Catholic High School, located along Queen Street. The redevelopment plans include the creation of a fully contiguous museum, more spaces to accommodate museum-based learning opportunities, as well as the infrastructure to display large-scale or technologically- demanding artworks.

SAM’s museum programming continues to take place at SAM at 8Q till end of January 2019. Thereafter, members of the public can look forward to pop-up contemporary art projects at partner venues, as well as co-curated and touring exhibitions by SAM. 

Prior to the commencement of the building works, a series of archaeological activities will take place at the former SJI building during Singapore Heritage Festival 2018, as part of the National Monument’s bid to deepen the public’s understanding of its history, which dates back to 1855. 

71 Bras Basah Road and 8 Queen Street

Tel: +65 6589 9580 Email: enquiries@singaporeartmuseum.sg