ArtScience Museum
South East
The ArtScience Museum, located within Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, is a unique cultural institution that merges art, science, culture, and technology through its innovative exhibitions. Opened in 2011 by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, it is Singapore's largest private museum. Architect Moshe Safdie designed the building to resemble a lotus flower, featuring ten "fingers" that serve as gallery spaces illuminated naturally through skylights at their tips. The museum houses 21 gallery spaces, including the permanent "Future World" exhibition created in collaboration with the art collective teamLab, which offers an immersive digital art experience. It also hosts touring exhibitions, often curated by other museums, covering themes from combined art and science to media, technology, and design. Notably, the museum has showcased the Tang Shipwreck Treasure, a collection of 9th-century artifacts from an Arabian dhow, emphasizing Singapore's maritime heritage. Sustainable features include rainwater harvesting through the building's bowl-shaped roof, recycled for restroom use. The museum also offers programs such as cinema screenings, VR experiences, and activities in the ArtScience Laboratory, making it a vibrant destination for visitors interested in the intersection of creativity and innovation.
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Tip: Visit the ArtScience Museum during weekdays or early mornings to avoid crowds. Booking tickets online in advance is recommended, especially for popular exhibitions like the permanent Future World display. The museum offers discounts for students, seniors, and families. Check the official website for current exhibitions and program schedules to maximize your visit.
Interesting facts
- •The museum's architecture is inspired by a lotus flower and is supported by a steel lattice with a fibre-reinforced plastic exterior.
- •Rainwater is harvested from the roof and recycled for use in the building's restrooms, demonstrating sustainable design.
- •The permanent exhibition, Future World, is a collaboration with the Japanese art collective teamLab, known for immersive digital art.
- •The museum hosted the largest consignment of Tang dynasty export goods ever discovered, known as the Tang Shipwreck Treasure.
- •An accurate reproduction of the 9th-century Arabian dhow, The Jewel of Muscat, was presented to Singapore by the Sultanate of Oman.
History
The ArtScience Museum was inaugurated on 17 February 2011 by Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong as part of the Marina Bay Sands integrated resort development.
Designed by architect Moshe Safdie, the building's lotus-inspired form symbolizes welcome and harmony.
Since its opening, the museum has hosted numerous touring exhibitions and established a permanent exhibition in partnership with teamLab.
In 2025, a partnership with PGLang's creative agency Project 3 was announced to rebrand and refresh its programming, reflecting its evolving role in Singapore's cultural landscape.
Place Guide
Lotus-inspired Architecture2011
The museum's iconic structure features ten finger-like extensions resembling a lotus flower, each housing gallery spaces illuminated by natural skylights at their tips. This design symbolizes openness and creativity.
Future World Permanent Exhibition2011
An immersive digital art exhibition created in collaboration with teamLab, occupying most of the Basement 2 galleries. It showcases interactive artworks blending technology, art, and nature.
Tang Shipwreck Treasure Exhibition2011
A significant exhibition showcasing artifacts from a 9th-century Arabian dhow shipwreck discovered in the Gaspar Strait, including ceramics, gold vessels, and spices, highlighting Singapore's maritime heritage.
ArtScience Laboratory and VR Gallery
Spaces dedicated to interactive programs, workshops, cinema screenings, and virtual reality experiences that complement the museum's exhibitions and engage visitors in creative learning.
Contact
Phone: 6688 8888