Closed arts & cultural spaces in Singapore

Surviving as an artist in Singapore has never been easy, and the pandemic only made things tougher, given that being an artist was considered a non-essential job. In the past few years, we’ve seen an alarming number of arts and cultural spaces shut their doors for good. The most recent heartbreaking one is The Projector.

While we have endless access to music, films, and performances online, nothing beats the feeling of stepping into a space where people come together to celebrate the arts. We’ve rounded up some of the arts and cultural spaces in Singapore that have closed.

Hopefully, this brings back some memories, but also serves as a reminder to support the venues we still have before they become yet another “remember when” story.

Are there arts & cultural spaces in Singapore at risk of closing?

Image credit: Tripadvisor

Pearl’s Hill Terrace – the vibrant arts and lifestyle hub in Chinatown – almost shut down earlier this year when its lease was set to expire. But after the community rallied behind it, the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) reconsidered the termination of the lease, and has since extended it until March 2026.

Over at Centre 42, things weren’t smooth sailing either. Back in 2020, they had to surrender their 42 Waterloo Street location to the National Arts Council (NAC), which leaves facilities like the Black Box under the management of Art Resource Hub instead.

These close calls show just how much these places mean to people. Although you can consume art online, physical venues like these require our love and support to continue existing.

Which arts & cultural spaces in Singapore have shut their doors?

1. The Projector

The backbone of the indie film community

Image adapted from: 喜酒Kish & Stanley Tan via Google Maps

It feels too soon to touch on this, but yes, The Projector is no longer in operation. On 19th August 2025, the indie cinema bid farewell to its iconic home at the Golden Mile Tower, with heartfelt goodbyes pouring in from across the nation.

The Projector was more than just a place to watch movies – it was the beating heart of Singapore’s indie film scene. If you’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing a cinephile, chances are you’ve heard them gush about this place. And for many local filmmakers, The Projector was the backbone.

With a steep decline in cinemagoers worldwide, increased production costs and local audiences losing interest, the team behind The Projector had to make the painful decision to shut down.

But all hope isn’t lost. A petition to save The Projector quickly gained traction, amassing 5,600 signatures within just a day. The more people sign and raise awareness, the stronger the chance this beloved indie cinema could make a comeback.

2. The Substation

Gone after more than 30 years in the scene

Image credit: The Substation – A Home for the Arts via Google Maps

The Substation had served the local arts scene since 1990, beloved by generations of artists and audiences. But in 2020, when NAC announced plans to reclaim the space for renovations – with the offer for The Substation to return as one of its co-tenants – it clashed with what The Substation was made for. Sharing the space would have meant losing a big part of its heritage and identity.

This factor, along with declining fundraising during Covid-19, led to The Substation closing its doors in 2021.

But there is light at the end of the tunnel. Their legacy continues as the Substation 2.0, an arts collective that continues to champion independent artists and is in active search of a new home.

3. NTU Centre for Contemporary Art

Incubator for emerging artists

Image credit: NTU Centre for Contemporary Art Singapore via Google Maps

Gillman Barracks is another arts cluster in Singapore that frequently hosts events like Singapore Art Week. Among its many spaces, one of the biggest standouts was the NTU Centre for Contemporary Art (NTU CCA).

While the research arm of NTU CCA still exists today, NTU decided to let go of its exhibition halls and studio spaces back in 2021, in hopes of centralising its operations back at the main campus.

Before its closure, the NTU CCA would regularly showcase local and international artists, and provide residencies for curators and artists to hone their craft. It was a safe space for visitors to engage with modern art and participate in topical discourse.

4. Filmgarde Cineplexes

Another independent cinema gone too soon

Image credit: @sgiffest via Instagram

If you managed to catch the Singapore International Film Festival in 2024, there’s a good chance you watched some screenings at Filmgarde Cineplexes. Sadly, in March 2025, the company’s last cinema at Kallang had to close its doors.

The pandemic and the rise of streaming services have really shaken up Singapore’s cinema landscape. With rising costs, fewer people are willing to splurge on a trip to the movies, choosing to watch films in the comfort of their own homes instead – this has made it harder for local cinemas to stay afloat.

For movie buffs, one of the hardest hits is missing out on festival or arthouse films on the big screen. Over its 18-year run, Filmgarde filled that gap, most notably hosting a screening of Alfonso Cuarón’s 2018 film Roma. The director himself even made an appearance at Filmgarde’s Bugis+ outlet.

5. Library@Esplanade

Archive dedicated to performing arts

Image credit: cse1217 via Google Maps

Library@Esplanade was the first and only library dedicated to preserving performing arts pieces such as screenplays and music scores. Beyond that, it also offered amenities like a music studio and screening rooms.

But NLB was hoping to centralise the arts resources to the Civic area, nearer to institutions like the School of the Arts (SOTA) and the University of the Arts Singapore (UAS). In 2023, Library@Esplanade officially closed down with new plans in place for the lot, including office space for the Singapore Symphony Orchestra.

Don’t worry – you can still get your hands on these archival pieces at the National Library Building along Victoria Street.

6. The Necessary Stage

Lost its permanent home at Marine Parade

A “Theatre for Seniors” production by The Necessary Stage.
Image credit: The Necessary Stage

No – The Necessary Stage isn’t actually gone. They continue to stage shows and outreach programmes at different venues, including an upcoming production in October called SG Insecure. But in 2021, the production company did face a massive loss.

With major redevelopment efforts underway in the Marine Parade area, The Necessary Stage lost its longtime home at the Marine Parade Community Building, which was demolished in 2023. That space had housed their very own Black Box theatre, the heart of their yearly productions, making its loss a tough blow for the company and the local arts community.

7. Sculpture Square

Arts space housed in a 19th-century church

Image credit: Sculpture Square via Facebook

Sculpture Square is one of the older names on this list, having closed down way back in 2014. During its 15 years of operation, it hosted a variety of exhibitions and showcases – most notably the Sculpture Carnival and the Children’s Sculpture Exhibition.

The space was the brainchild of local sculptor Sun Yu-Li, who had been seeking a venue big enough to host 3D art in Singapore. She eventually found an old 19th-century church along Middle Road. With its high ceilings and lack of pillars, she decided to convert it into an exhibition space and the Sculpture Square was born.

The closure was originally intended to allow the team to explore new ventures, mainly focusing on curatorial consultancy projects. But before long, it quickly ceased operations altogether. Today, the original space is now home to Objectifs – Centre of Photography and Film, continuing the creative legacy in a different form.

Show some love to the arts & cultural spaces in Singapore before it’s too late

These arts and cultural spaces in Singapore allow us to enrich our culture, connect with like-minded people, and engage in meaningful dialogue. If we want to keep the ones we still have, it’s up to all of us to show our never-ending love and support in whatever way we can.

It’s also the perfect excuse to make full use of your SG Culture Pass, which gives you $100 in free credits to spend on exhibitions, activities, and events.

More on arts & culture in SG:

• Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay
• Singapore Odyssea at The National Museum
• Clubs in SG that have closed

Cover image adapted from: The Substation – A Home for the Arts via Google Maps, Sculpture Square via Facebook