Singapore Art Museum set to expand with new dockside space

The Singapore Art Museum (SAM) has announced plans to open a series of new art spaces, commencing with the launch of a new attraction at the dockside Tanjong Pagar Distripark by early 2022.

Introducing the expansion, Singapore Art Museum Director, Eugene Tan commented “SAM has welcomed art lovers and the art curious to our buildings for over 25 years

“Going beyond our four walls will enable SAM to evolve as an outward-looking art space that is open for new ideas, healthy debates and collaborative exchanges across communities.

“Our ambition is to diffuse art across multiple spaces, including a new anchor space at Tanjong Pagar Distripark opening in 2022.”

With Tanjong Pagar Distripark already an established arts hub with exhibition venue Artspace@Helutrans and the Gajah Gallery, which promotes South-east Asian contemporary art, SAM will be taking over an industrial warehouse space in the area, which will be home to innovative and experimental art experiences, as well as new spaces for community interactions.

Expected to open in early 2022, SAM at Tanjong Pagar Distripark will be spread across two floors and includes an events space and F&B outlet. The first level will have more than 2,000 metre² of floor space with two galleries for large-scale installations and exhibitions while the new space will showcase technologically-driven exhibitions and contemporary art installations.

“We hope to connect and resonate emotionally with more people through art and bring communities together to collectively imagine a better future”  – Dr Eugene Tan, Director, Singapore Art Museum

SAM is bringing art into everyday spaces and connectin… https://t.co/kwkU0T1jY8 pic.twitter.com/drdhOcaTLv

— Singapore Art Museum (@SgArtMuseum) August 14, 2021

With its main buildings in Bras Basah undergoing a major revamp, SAM will be presenting art at other spaces throughout this year, including an exhibition at the National Gallery Singapore, and the SAM Mini Mobile Museum at public libraries in Jurong, Tampines and Woodlands.

Commenting on its expansion, SAM Director of Curatorial, Collections and Programs, June Yap noted “we hope to make our museum spaces, collection, and programmes open and accessible to everyone so that art can be enjoyed by all audiences and infused into everyday life.

“Our initiatives will also encourage new forms of engagement and experimentation within and beyond the artistic community.”

Image: Concept for the interior of SAM at Tanjong Pagar Distripark. Credit: SAM.