As the National Museum Singapore is poised to celebrate its 130th anniversary of existence, its director, Angelita Teo, took the time to participate in a question and answer session regarding the museum’s past, how it’s contributing to Singapore’s culture presently, and future plans to keep what it has to offer relevant and valuable for visitors from both Singapore and around the world.
Teo has been a part of the facility in some capacity or another for nearly fifteen years. While the National Museum Singapore has its roots as a history museum, there has been a recent push to include more art content, particularly as Singapore itself strives to become more of an arts destination than ever. There is precedent for the facility, as Singapore opened the doors to National Gallery Singapore just in time for the nation’s 50th birthday. So it makes sense as more and more art enters into Singapore that one of the country’s flagship museums should make it a priority to get more creative, as well.
The museum offers a variety of programming throughout the year. This could come in the form of big exhibitions in partnerships with other international museums, like a recent showing of worldwide treasures from a renowned facility in Great Britain. However, Teo speaks of the quiet success of smaller, more community-driven events like exhibits on photography, fashion, and a showing of short films by Singaporean creatives. It’s the National Museum that is also behind such popular events as the Singapore Night Festival, which includes light shows, nighttime performances, and other engaging entertainment opportunities.
Teo acknowledges that there is a challenge in getting Singaporeans to visit museums in their own country. While many residents are avid travelers and often visit such facilities during their vacations, they might overlook treasures like the National Museum that are, quite literally, right in their backyards. That’s where increased marketing and programming efforts come in. Teo says it’s her responsibility — along with the responsibility of her team members — in curating content and designing events that will attract Singaporean visitors. New efforts include making the museum and its programs more inclusive, including specifically designed programs for the elderly, young children, and individuals with special needs.
The museum is also making an effort to stay relevant in a society where rapid advancements in technology and globalization are changing the very fabric of culture. That’s why the film festivals featuring Singaporean filmmakers have been so popular. Increasingly, more people are tuned into film and videos, and this is a way for the museum to reach out and offer something the public is already consuming in different forms.
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To read the complete interview with National Museum Singapore Director Angelita Teo, go to http://thepeakmagazine.com.sg/interviews/national-museum-director-reveals-grown-arts-appreciation-singapore/.