Cover The Opening: Glimpse of the Future section of the "Singapore Odyssea: A Journey Through Time" exhibition, which is housed at the National Museum of Singapore's Shaw Foundation Glass Rotunda (Photo: National Museum of Singapore)
The Opening: Glimpse of the Future section of the "Singapore Odyssea: A Journey Through Time" exhibition, which is housed at the National Museum of Singapore's Shaw Foundation Glass Rotunda (Photo: National Museum of Singapore)
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The National Museum of Singapore hosts its first fundraising gala in over 15 years on August 15, uniting culture, community and craftsmanship in support of a landmark gallery revamp
Beneath the soaring dome of the National Museum of Singapore, a new chapter in the nation’s cultural history will be written on August 15. Marking its first fundraising gala in over 15 years, the evening brings together Singapore’s philanthropic and cultural communities to invest in the museum’s future.
At the heart of the fundraiser is a pivotal cause: the refresh of the Life in Singapore galleries, comprising four permanent exhibitions located on the museum’s second floor, which is set to reopen in 2026. Visited by more than a million people annually, these galleries have long served as the institution’s narrative heart. The upcoming transformation will reimagine the visitor experience with more inclusive storytelling and contemporary museology—ensuring Singapore’s evolving identity continues to be reflected and remembered. Proceeds from the gala will help realise this ambitious next chapter.
Read also: National Museum of Singapore director Chung May Khuen on what it means to be the ‘people’s museum’
Above Episode 4: Shores of Singapura of the "Singapore Odyssea: A Journey Through Time" exhibition showcases scenes from pre-colonial Singapore period (Photo: National Museum of Singapore)
Episode 4: Shores of Singapura of the "Singapore Odyssea: A Journey Through Time" exhibition showcases scenes from pre-colonial Singapore period (Photo: National Museum of Singapore)
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The event will be held at the museum's Glass Atrium, and guests will also experience Singapore Odyssea, a multimedia showcase tracing 700 years of maritime history, at the newly reopened Shaw Foundation Glass Rotunda. Immersive and sensorial, the installation blends art, sound and storytelling in ways that honour the museum’s dual mission: to preserve the past and shape its relevance for the future.
Hosted by national icon Gurmit Singh and featuring a live performance by jazz doyenne Jacintha Abisheganaden, the gala’s programme reflects a careful balance of reverence and celebration. Guests will also be treated to a one-night-only theatrical experience presented within the rotunda’s immersive space—turning the museum itself into a stage for collective memory.
Above Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Starwheel created for SG60
Above B P de Silva’s Guardianship necklace
Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Starwheel created for SG60
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True to the institution’s ethos of blending heritage with contemporary culture, the auction offers a rare constellation of commissioned objets and experiential lots. These include the Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Starwheel created for SG60; B P de Silva’s Guardianship necklace; a crystal-embellished print of the Singapore waterfront by Swarovski; and an exclusive dome-lit dinner curated by chef Ivan Brehm of Nouri. Experiences span the adrenaline-filled Pure McLaren Arctic Experience in Lapland, Raffles Singapore’s Enlightenment Retreat, and Singapore Airlines business class tickets to Beijing—each offering a different expression of refinement, adventure or introspection.
Above A crystal-embellished print of the Singapore waterfront by Swarovski
A crystal-embellished print of the Singapore waterfront by Swarovski
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Above Pure McLaren Arctic Experience in Lapland
Pure McLaren Arctic Experience in Lapland
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More than a gala, this is a gathering with enduring intent. As Singapore marks 60 years of independence, the museum’s fundraising effort is both a tribute and a call to action—a reminder that heritage is a living legacy, and its preservation a shared responsibility. In this singular evening, where artistry meets advocacy, the museum renews its role as a cultural lodestar—and invites its community to help illuminate the path forward.
As Senior Editor of Tatler Singapore, Hashirin champions and refines the storytelling across platforms—curating and crafting compelling profiles, cover stories and features that spotlight visionaries shaping culture, business and impact. Driven by curiosity, she draws inspiration from the artists, changemakers and trailblazers she encounters through her work. Beyond the pages of Tatler, she is an avid supporter of local theatre and delights in seeking out art in every city she visits.
