Singapore Art Museum

Singapore Art Museum (30 July 2017)


Singapore Art Museum (SAM) is a contemporary art museum in Singapore. It comprises three locations: at the former St Joseph's Institution building (GPS: 1.29734, 103.85099) on Bras Basah Road, the former Catholic High School building on Queen Street and at Tanjong Pagar Distripark (GPS: 1.27195, 103.83675). Of these three locations, as of February 2023, only the location on Keppel Road at Tanjong Pagar is open, as the other two are closed for redevelopment works.

The Singapore Art Museum first was opened in 1996 and is housed in a restored 19th-century colonial building that was once part of the prestigious St. Joseph's Institution, a Catholic boys' school.

SAM is known for its extensive collection of contemporary Southeast Asian art, including works by some of the region's most important artists. The museum also regularly mounts exhibitions of works by international artists, as well as exhibitions of works from its permanent collection.

The building itself is a fascinating blend of old and new, with its colonial-era architecture preserved and repurposed as a museum, while its modern interiors offer visitors a contemporary art-viewing experience. Visitors can also take in stunning views of the surrounding cultural district from the museum's rooftop terrace.

The Singapore Art Museum is an important cultural institution in Singapore, offering visitors a glimpse into the contemporary art of Southeast Asia and beyond. Whether you are an art lover or just someone looking for a unique cultural experience, the Singapore Art Museum is well worth a visit.

Contact

Singapore Art Museum at Tanjong Pagar Distripark
39 Keppel Road, #01-02,
Singapore 089065
Phone: +65 6697 9730
Website: www.singaporeartmuseum.sg

Singapore Art Museum (closed for redevelopment)
71 Bras Basah Road,
Singapore 189555.

As of February 2023, the Bras Basah and Queen Street locations of the Singapore Art Museum is still close (since 2019) for redevelopment works. The museum is presently located at Tanjong Pagar Distripark.

Taking the MRT to Singapore Art Museum at Tanjong Pagar Distripark

The Bras Basah MRT Station (CC2) is located beneath Lazada One across Waterloo Street.

Front façade of Singapore Art Museum (30 July 2017)


Sculpture at Singapore Art Museum (30 July 2017)

About St Joseph's Institution

The St Joseph's Institution is the first missionary establishment of the La Salle Brothers in the Far East, which also includes the St Xavier's Institution in Penang. It is a boys' school. The person credited for initiating it was Father Jean-Marie Beurel, the same French missionary who was instrumental in helping to set up the girls' school at the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus (better known today as CHIJMES).


St Joseph's Institution was founded in 1852, the same year Convent Light Street of Penang was founded. Originally, it was known as St John's, but as the cornerstone of the new school building was laid on the Day of the Feast of St Joseph, on 19 March 1855, from then onwards it was known as St Joseph's Institution.

During World War II, the St Joseph's Institution was used as the Red Cross Hospital and also housed a unit of the Civil Defence Force. St Joseph's Institution is considered one of the top secondary schools in Singapore, and is renowned for its academic excellence.

Since 1988, St Joseph's Institution has moved from its original premises to a new campus at Malcom Road. The original campus is now occupied by the Singapore Art Museum, or SAM for short. SAM specialises in Singapore and Southeast Asian artworks. The old St Joseph's Institution building is gazetted by the Singapore National Heritage Board as a National Monument on 14 February and 3 July 1992.

Former location of St Joseph's Institution, Singapore, now one of the locations of the Singapore Art Museum. (30 July 2017)


Side wing of the St Joseph's Institution building. (30 July 2017)

Lazada One is on the Map of Keppel Road, Singapore

Singapore Art Museum at Tanjong Pagar Distripark is on the Map of Bukit Merah, Singapore

Singapore Art Museum at Tanjong Pagar Distripark Singapore on Google Street View

Singapore Art Museum at Tanjong Pagar Distripark Singapore (Dec 2022)

List of the Museums in Singapore; Discover Singapore

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About this website

Hello and thanks for reading this page. My name is Timothy and my hobby is in describing places so that I can share the information with the general public. My website has become the go to site for a lot of people including students, teachers, journalists, etc. whenever they seek information on places, particularly those in Malaysia and Singapore. I have been doing this since 5 January 2003, for over twenty years already. You can read about me at Discover Timothy. By now I have compiled information on thousands of places, mostly in Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore, and I continue to add more almost every day. My goal is to describe every street in every town in Malaysia and Singapore.