Museums in Colonial District (Singapore)

Singapore Philatelic Museum

Ever wondered how that stamp in the corner of your envelope was made? Well, that is precisely what you will learn at South-east Asia's first philatelic museum. Opened in 1995, this museum holds an extensive collection of local and international stamps dating back to the 19th century. Anything related to stamps can be found here like first day covers, artwork, printing proofs, progressive sheets, even a number of private collections. Equipped with interactive exhibits, audio-visual facilities, a resource center and games, visitors are likely to come away with a new-found interest in stamp collecting.

Singapore Art Museum

Occupying a Roman classical building, the Singapore Art Museum features modern and contemporary paintings, sculptures and installations from South-east Asia. With state-of-the-art galleries, it boasts a 7,000-strong permanent collection of artwork by established as well as pioneering artists. Visitors can also access digital images of works from public institutions and private collections all over the region.

National Museum of Singapore

Trace the events that have shaped Singapore from the 14th century right up to the present day. Discover the rich heritage of its people, their ancestral roots, ethnic and religious diversity and past struggle for nationhood through dioramas and artifacts, or a 3D show. Be sure to check out the 14-century Javanese gold jewelery, which hints at Singapore's glorious pre-colonial past. The popular "Tales of the Night" tour uncovers the museum's ghostly residents.

Asian Civilisations Museum

This 1910 building evokes the serenity of its era in its arched verandas, balanced symmetry, and dignified proportions fashionable in the 19th century England. A Sri Lankan figurine of Buddha, Islamic art and calligraphy, South-east Asian tribal wood carvings and other ethnographic collections trace Singapore's diverse cultural and religious origins to all over Asia. The Asian Civilisations Museum, however, leans heavily towards Chinese cultural heritage, with two-thirds of the galleries focusing on artifacts from China, with jade, ceramics, bronzes, and folk art, dating from the Neolithic Age to the 20th Century.

Eagle's Eye Art Gallery

Located in the heart of town in an elegant, refurbished building, this small gallery near the main entrance offers a decent portfolio of art paintings from South-east Asia. Saved from a failing business, the Eagle's Eye Art Gallery today caters to well-heeled professionals, collectors and corporate clients. It not only sells quality paintings, but also provides professional consultancy services to homes, hotels and corporations as well. Sixty percent of the works are by locals, including award-winning artists like Christine Mak and Tay Bak Koi.

SooBin Art Gallery

The SooBin Art Gallery was launched by award-winning photographer Chua Soobin, who also provides professional consultancy and valuation services for art pieces. It is reputed to be one of the few quality galleries in Singapore specializing in traditional Chinese ink and contemporary oil paintings. Some of the painters represented include Chen Ping, Chen Wenhsi, Chen Yi Fei, Qi Bai Shi, Wu Zuo Ren and Ting Shao Kuang. A small selection of ceramics, sculptures, Straits Chinese artifacts, and Western paintings and prints is also on display.

Artfolio Gallery

This gallery has earned the reputation of being the Best Gallery for Local Art, a distinction that was awarded by WHERE Singapore, which is a tourist publication, and Visa Gold. Featuring mainly contemporary works by local and South-east Asian artists, Art-folio's collection includes oil on canvas, paper works and sculptures. Those represented range from internationally recognized painters such as Arie Smit and Oh Chai Hoo to budding talents including Chrisilda Cherian and Budie Az. Art restoration and consultation services on art decor are also provided.

Gajah Gallery

Located within the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts (MICA) Born out of the initiative of a law graduate, this art gallery houses some 200 paintings from South-east Asia and India. Represented here are established artists such as India's celebrated Gobardhan Ash and budding potentials including Indonesia's Putu Sutawijaya. The studio also carries a strong collection of contemporary artwork by local painters Thomas Yeo, Ho Ho Ying and several others. It also occasionally displays sculptures from around the region.

Raffles Hotel Museum

Do not fret if you cannot roam around the Raffles Hotel as freely as you wish. The Raffles Hotel Museum offers an opportunity for you to gain an insight into the hotel's history from its heyday in the 1920s and 1930s. The museum exhibits an interesting collection of artifacts and memorabilia that speak of the hotel's legendary past. Postcards, old letters, photographs, advertisements and brochures are kept in good condition for all to see. Also locked away in a safe here is the once-secret recipe for the Singapore Sling; Singapore's trademark cocktail concocted by the hotel's bar captain in 1915. 

Battle Box

What used to be a bombproof World War II bunker is now the historic Battle Box museum that transports you back to the morning of 15 February 1942, the day Lieutenant-General Arthur Percival made the decision to surrender to the invading Japanese troops. Robotic wax figures coupled with high-quality animatronics and special sound effects give an air of suspense as the actual footage of events unfolds, leading to the eventual fall of Singapore into the hands of the Japanese forces.

Carlos Gallery

This art gallery showcases Mexican artwork, mostly contemporary works by some of Mexico's famous artists such as Torrico-Prado and Rafael Vallejo. It features paintings, sculpture and pottery. Ambassador of Mexico, the Hon. Eduardo Ramos-Gomez, said he would like a little bit of Mexico in Singapore, and the gallery is one way to achieve this. Drop in at the Cosas Mexicanas, a shop selling handicrafts from Mexico. Colourful hand-made wool ponchos, table runners, silverware, pottery and other items crowd the shelves in a riotous display of colors in that typical Mexican flair.

Sculpture Square

Long awaited by sculpture aficionados, Sculpture Square is the first exhibition hall in Singapore to showcase three-dimensional artwork, everything from the massive to the petite. Here, you will find works by prominent local artists like Ng Eng Teng, Han Hai Poh and Chong Fah Cheong, as well as internationally renowned sculptor Ripolles from Spain. Occupying the grounds of a former church, the Sculpture Square is a non-profit organization with a mission to promote the three-dimensional art scene in Singapore.