Gone are the days when museums were places you visited during school excursions. These spaces – previously thought of as stuffy or boring – have come to be appreciated as magnificent shophouses dedicated to cultural, historical, and artistic appreciation and learning.
What is International Museum Day?
Every year since 1977, the International Council of Museums (ICOM) organises International Museum Day (IMD).
On this day, participating museums plan their creative events around the IMD theme for that year, to engage with the public and highlight the importance of museums as institutions that serve society and its development.
The aim is to present museums as “an important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, cooperation and peace among peoples”.1
Of course, IMD isn’t the only day to appreciate museums; weekends and days off from work are perfect opportunities too. If you’d like to do something a little different with your loved ones during the upcoming school holidays, here are five museums to check out or revisit, depending on your interests.
For the nature lovers
Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum
This museum is like a treasure chest waiting to be uncovered – housed into a magnificent building with all seven floors enveloped with landscaped greenery.
If you’re a fan of David Attenborough or Jane Goodall, you shouldn’t miss this place. Providing an experiential journey through the natural world, the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum houses ecological specimens rarely seen. Highlights include sauropod dinosaur fossils, a sperm whale skeleton named “Jubi Lee” which was salvaged off our own shores in 2015 and even a Neptune’s Cup Sponge.
As you wander through the museum, you’ll be enthralled by its diverse display of over 2,000 zoological displays and marvelled by the wonders of life on Earth.
Before your visit:
Online booking is encouraged, admission fees apply.
For the history buffs
National Gallery Singapore
Housed into two national monuments – City Hall and the former Supreme Court – this museum needs little introduction.
The sheer historical significance of this building and looming architecture is outmatched only by its curation of modern and contemporary art from many parts of Southeast Asia. The works of renowned artists such as Ai Wei Wei have also been exhibited there, along with staggering displays of art. The National Gallery also seeks to be a resource, with the Rotunda Library (previously the Law Library for the Supreme Court) providing extensive research facilities to the art community and enthusiasts.
Make a day of exploring this behemoth landmark by standing in the very space where official documents were signed to free Singapore from Japanese occupation or the place of our Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew’s office.
Before your visit:
Tickets are available online, free general admission to Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents.
For the futuristic art enthusiast
ArtScience Museum
Like a towering “lotus” flower floating on the picturesque Marina Bay shorefront, this museum promises an unparalleled experience with art through a combination of – you guessed it – art and science.
Famous for its futuristic approach to displaying and learning about art, it makes every exhibit a treat for the senses. Through its use of digital and virtual reality technology. You can experience the beauty of “flowers” cascading with you as you glide down a slide, add your artistic flair to a digital aquatic world, or step into a magical room filled with lights sparkling in tandem with different sounds.
If you fancy a show, there is an in-house screening room complete with spacious seats and wireless headphones where you can watch featured films, or a VR (Virtual Reality) Gallery where you can experience cinema on an unprecedented scale through larger-than-life viewings and surround-sound immersion.
Before your visit:
Admission is free, selected exhibitions carry a separate charge.
For the rambunctious little ones
Children’s Museum Singapore
Dedicated to children aged 12 years and below (parents are allowed to accompany their kids), the former Singapore Philatelic Museum now houses two floors of immersive theatres and interactive exhibitions that offer a range of activities to foster creative learning in kids.
From a theatre show detailing the stories of olden-days Singapore, a maze filled with paper sculptures of Southeast Asian flora and fauna to fun events such as scavenger hunts or storytelling, there’s much at this museum that will delight your little ones.
If your child is aged two to four, they’ll love the play pod that’s designed as a safe space for them to have fun, so the whole family can fully enjoy their day.
Before your visit:
Advanced booking is required, admission is free for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents (NRIC must be presented).
For the action stars
Air Force Museum
Top Gun enthusiasts can get up close and personal with some seriously heavy machinery at the Air Force Museum, which will introduce guests to more than a few of the heaviest artillery.
This combination of indoor and outdoor spaces displays modern and vintage aircraft, from helicopters to fighter jets and even a missile. In the cooler confines of the museum, there is an interactive gallery which introduces the Singapore Air Force, its aviation history and significance in the nation’s defence frontlines.
To top off the excitement, there is an immersive ride where guests can “pilot” their own plane – a perfect way to get a dose of adventure this holiday.
Before your visit:
Admission is free.
If you’re looking to explore places during the upcoming holidays, why not try a new experience through museums? This IMD, we hope this list inspires you to visit some of our local museums and galleries.
