Arts Scene in Singapore
Singapore may not be like Paris or London, but do not underestimate the arts scene on this island. Despite its small size, Singapore has a thriving arts industry, which includes the fine arts and performing arts, amongst others. While Sydney has the Sydney Opera House, Singapore has the Esplanade – Theatres by the Bay. While New York has Julliard, Singapore has LASALLE College of the Arts. Living in Singapore, there are plenty of things that one can do when it comes to the arts.
If you are someone who loves spending the weekends exploring museums, then Singapore has a variety of museums for you to choose from. While the museums here may not be as grand as the Louvre, it is undeniable that the works displayed are top quality, featuring recognized artistes from around the world.
The Singapore Arts Museum offers its visitors a wide range of exhibitions during different times of the year. The exhibitions they offer are not just limited to adults, but also for children, which would be of benefit for you if you were planning to spend a day out with your young ones. The Singapore Arts Museum has a collection of artworks from Asian and local artistes, such as Vandy Rattana and Tang Mung Kit. Entry into the museum is also fairly reasonable as tickets are priced at $10 (US$8) for adults.
There are also other museums in Singapore worth exploring, such as the National Museum of Singapore, which showcases many international exhibitions, the Asian Civilisation Museum, and the Maritime Experiential Museum amongst others.
If your vibe is geared more towards the music scene and you are interested in checking out the local talents that Singapore has to offer, then you might want to head down to one of the three Timbre outlets. Timbre is a café, which showcases many homegrown and international talents, who take the stage every evening in hope of being discovered. The atmosphere at the Timbre outlets is usually very chilled, with many people who are there to enjoy the music munching on the savory food served.
You can also always enjoy the free music performances that take place at Esplanade, which is yet another platform for local musicians to get their music out to the public. The music played by the talent varies from classical pieces to loud punk rock music. Esplanade also often holds events, such as Baybeats, geared specifically to the music industry.
Singapore has begun to develop a thriving theatre scene, with big theatres such as the Sands Theatre at the iconic Marina Bay Sands and the Festive Grand at Resorts World Sentosa, opening up. International Broadway shows such as Wicked and The Phantom of the Opera have made their way to our shores, giving theatre lovers the opportunity to enjoy Broadway numbers without having to travel all the way to New York.
The availability of the various platforms for the arts, which is constantly growing in Singapore, allows you to stay close to the arts industry of your choice, especially if you grew up in countries with thriving arts scenes. Now rather than spending your weekends idling away at malls or at home, you can have the opportunity to reconnect with the arts, despite being miles away from home.