Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) has lined up an array of programmes, catered to both the young and not-so-young.
*Update (22 Apr): Updated with May happenings
Located by the Singapore River is the Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM), Singapore’s national museum of Asian antiquities and decorative art and the only museum in Asia devoted to exploring the rich artistic heritage of Asia.
It regularly hosts programmes and exhibitions to inspire both the young and old. Here's what you and your family can look forward to in May 2022.
All programmes are free unless otherwise stated.
Upcoming Programmes
Singapore Heritage Festival 2022: The Wild and Wonderful at ACM
Venue: ACM
Date: 2 May - 29 May 2022
Time: 10.30 am - 4 pm
Fee: Admission and programme fees apply
Get ready to explore The Wild and Wonderful at ACM! Venture through the museum to discover hands-on activities, art installations, and thematic tours. Trek among early civilisations in Asia with in-depth workshops, photo-worthy moments, and accessible guided tours. Come unearth an array of flora and fauna of Asia – right here at ACM.
Event highlights include:
- The Wild & Wonderful: Adventure Trail Booklet for Families
Venue: Online and Onsite | Date: 2 - 29 May 2022
Complete the fun activities throughout the trail to redeem an exclusive Travel Essentials Kit from 6 to 29 May from the Front Desk.
-
Sonic Journeys: An Audio Experience
Venue: Permanent Galleries | Date: 2 - 29 May 2022
Embark on a sound expedition, via an evocative audio experience by artist and composer Chong Li-Chuan. Taking inspiration from our nature-themed objects, these audio compositions will send you off on a historical and cultural journey across Asia (in the ACM galleries).
Image credits: WahSoSimple
-
The Great Voyage: Air-dry Clay Boat Family Workshop
Venue: ACM | Date: 14 & 15 May 2022 | Time: 2 pm - 3.30 pm | Fee: $15
Imagine what it was like to voyage across the great seas like the traders of the past, as you create your very own sailing boat with air-dry clay. Then, use your clay boat to sail across Asia in ACM’s galleries!
Suitable for children ages 5 and up. Register here.
For a full list of programmes, please visit the website.
The Singapore HeritageFest (SHF) is the National Heritage Board’s signature annual outreach event that celebrates the many facets of Singapore’s diverse heritage and culture. SHF works with individuals, groups and communities to co-create programmes and offerings. This allows the festival to uncover lesser-known stories and narratives, engender a greater sense of ownership, and empower Singaporeans to safeguard and promote our shared heritage.
Sikh art showcase at ACM
Venue: ACM
Fee: Admission fees apply
Drop by ACM to visit the refreshed display of Sikh art at its Ancient Religions Gallery on Level 2, dedicated to the theme of Faith and Belief. The display introduces objects that are representative of the Sikh community and their stories, including a 19th-century painting of the Ninth Sikh Guru, Tegh Bahadur. Acquired through donations from the Singapore Sikh Community, the painting is a timely addition following his 400th birth anniversary in 2021.
Visitors can also view a silver ornament that was probably used to hang over the Sikh holy scripture, Guru Granth Sahibas, as well as a pair of magnificent quoits – these are Sikh projectile weapons that were probably used only ceremonially, rather than for combat.
This permanent showcase is a culmination of ACM’s collaboration with the Sikh community since 2018.
Let’s Learn About...Judaism!
Venue: Online
Date: 1 Apr - 6 May 2022
This month, Let’s Learn About...Judaism! Read more about religion and explore
related objects from the museum collection.
Khabair Baik! Saturdays
Venue: ACM
Date: 26 Mar, 30 Apr & 28 May 2022
Time: 10.30 am - 4 pm
Fee: Free - Registration required
Join a series of conversational tours and workshops led by members of the Peranakan community. Immerse yourself in intimate stories and memories of Peranakan heritage and experience their living culture first-hand on the last Saturday of each month from March to May. Take part in a Peranakan Style! Workshop, or Masak Masak! Food Demonstration, amongst others.
For specific programme details each month, visit the ACM Peatix page.
ACM Adventures: Out at Sea
Venue: ACM
Date: 24 Apr 2022
Time: 1 pm - 5 pm
Set out on a voyage of exploration in the Islamic Art Gallery. Journey through storytelling and drama performances, then get busy with craft activities.
ACM Adventures: Tale as Old as Time
Venue: ACM
Date: 29 May 2022
Time: 1 pm - 5 pm
Travel through time and immerse in rich stories found in the museum's Ancient Religions Gallery. Go on a storytelling tour, enjoy a drama performance, then tell your own stories in art making activities.
Ongoing Programmes
ACM 25th Anniversary
Venue: ACM
Date: 21 Apr - 31 Dec 2022
This year, ACM is celebrating its 25th anniversary and the year-long celebrations include a giveaway where participants stand to win an instant camera and exclusive ACM merchandise.
Also look forward to the launch of unique ACM merchandise from Supermama, the Singapore design and lifestyle goods brand at ACM, and go behind the scenes of the museum with a mini-series documentary, which will be available on the museum's social media channels.
For more details on the giveaway and updates on upcoming events, please visit the website.
Apa Khabair? – Peranakan Museum in the Making
Venue: ACM
Date: 25 Feb - 29 May 2022
Apa Khabair? – a pop-up exhibition at the Asian Civilisations Museum’s Contemporary Gallery – will showcases key milestones from the Peranakan Museum’s past. “Apa khabair?” is the Baba Malay rendition of the Malay “apa khabar?” This everyday greeting asks, “what news is there?” Check out the museum’s recent collaborations with various Peranakan communities that capture valuable intangible cultural heritage.
Clothing the Pandemic: A Virtual Exhibition of COVID-19 Face Masks from Around the World
Mask designed by Paris-based Singaporean fashion designer Andrew Gn
Venue: Online
Date: Dec 2021 - Dec 2022
Clothing the Pandemic: A Virtual Exhibition of COVID-19 Face Masks from Around the World is a virtual exhibition of face masks collected by numerous museum curators for their institutions to document the material culture of the pandemic during 2020-2021. Over 100 masks have been curated into six major themes: Art & Intervention; Politics & Protest; Solidarity & Communities; Body & Spirit; Innovation & Sustainability; and Fashion & Pop Culture.
Visitors can look forward to viewing six masks contributed by Singapore’s Asian Civilisations Museum.
At its core, this virtual exhibition highlights the importance of museum collections as sources of inspiration that embrace current events and celebrate contemporary fashion and design.
This virtual exhibition is organised by by the International Committee ICOM for the Museums and Collections of Costume, Fashion and Textiles (ICOM Costume).
Regular Programmes
ACM & Friends Fun Pack
Venue: Online
Download and use this fun activity kit, specially designed for children and adults across all learning abilities, and have an enjoyable time learning about the ACM collection through play.
Activities You Can Do Everyday
Venue: Online
Enjoy everyday activities from the comfort of your home. Explore, discover, and have fun with trails and videos for everyone.
Audio Description Tours
Venue: Online
Listen to descriptions of key objects in the ACM collection from the comfort of your home.
Image credits Asian Civilisations Museum
