ArtScience Museum Guide: Singapore’s “Lotus” With Aesthetic Exhibits, Workshops & Galleries

ArtScience Museum in Singapore

Most of us would recognise ArtScience Museum as the iconic lotus-shaped building amid Singapore’s skyline. One may not expect from simply looking at it, but the museum is surprisingly large – spanning almost 5000m²  with 21 gallery spaces. 

The arts and science may seem like they’re worlds apart, but just as its name suggests, you can learn about both with a trip here.

The inspiration behind the museum

Image credit: Marina Bay Sands

After it opened to the public in February 2011, it wasn’t long before it became one of Singapore’s most recognisable and iconic architectural features. Some say it’s like the Sydney Opera House of the little red dot.

So, is it a flower? An open palm? Whatever it is, the ArtScience Museum has become an IG hotspot amongst both Singaporeans and tourists from far and wide.

The museum’s architect, Moshe Safdie, was actually inspired by lotus flowers, which can be found at the entrance of the building.

Exhibits and activities at ArtScience Museum

If you’re always endlessly scrolling through your Instagram or TikTok feeds, chances are you’ve come across multiple #aesthetic photos from the museum’s only permanent exhibition: Future World: Where Art Meets Science. 

The museum even has free Wi-Fi throughout so you can spam your IG stories without worrying about using up all your data.

With its dazzling LED lights and interactive art projections, it’s no wonder that so many choose to pepper their social media feeds with pictures of this spot.

This immersive and high-tech exhibition is in collaboration with teamLab, which is known for famous exhibitions worldwide.

The ArtScience Museum is also no stranger to exciting touring exhibitions, with galleries being updated every few months with something new for us to see.

Exciting past exhibitions include “Disney: Magic of Animation” and “Attack on Titan: The Exhibition”

Some exhibitions have free virtual tours available as well as public guided tours, all with no added cost. With free seasonal workshops available at the museum, visitors of all ages can enjoy a hands-on and interactive experience here too. You can also pop by the ArtScience Cinema, which regularly showcases both free and ticketed films and documentaries.

Sensory Odyssey.

Besides Future World, other current exhibitions include Sneakertopia: Step Into Street Culture, where you can snap photos of giant sneakers and learn more about their history, and Sensory Odyssey: Into the Heart of Our Living World – a highly immersive exhibit with 360° projections.

For more immersive exhibits, pop by the museum’s VR Gallery – one of its newer permanent spaces where you’ll be equipped with the necessary controllers and headsets to transport you into a whole new virtual world.

If you’re feeling peckish after a day of exploring, there are plenty of dining options available next door at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands. Some popular restaurants include Black Tap for their towering milkshakes and Yardbird for their delicious fried chicken. 

Visiting ArtScience Museum

Access to the museum is free for all visitors, though tickets are needed for selected exhibitions. Concession tickets and family bundles are also available. Those travelling around who’d like to squeeze in a last-minute visit can even make use of their free baggage storage for bulkier bags. 

So whether you love analysing contemporary art or wanna strike something off your +65 bucket list, ArtScience Museum has something for everyone to enjoy.

For more museum guides, check out:

• Museums and galleries in Singapore
• Lesser-known art museums and exhibits in Singapore
• Cool virtual museums
• Gillman Barracks
• The Cathay Gallery

Originally published on 29th January 2021. Last updated by Ra Krishnan on 29th May 2023.