To mark its 10th anniversary, National Gallery Singapore reimagines the art of giving with a once-in-a-lifetime evening of creativity, gastronomy, and community
National Gallery Singapore is marking its 10th year with a celebration that looks forward. On 13 September, the gallery will host its biennial gala, themed A Decade of Imagination, which sets the tone for what promises to be its most ambitious edition yet.
The gala has long been a cornerstone of Singapore’s cultural fundraising calendar, but this year’s staging pushes boundaries. For the first time, guests will sit down to dinner inside the museum’s exhibition spaces, transforming familiar galleries into an extraordinary dining setting. The menu is led by three of Singapore’s most influential culinary figures: Julien Royer of Odette, Damian D’Silva, and Violet Oon, who will add a live-cooking element to the evening.
At the heart of the night is a Sotheby’s-led auction of both art and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. More than 70 lots will be offered, ranging from works by Yayoi Kusama, Heman Chong, and Fernando Zóbel, to private cultural journeys that are rarely accessible to the public. Beyond the opportunity to collect, the auction underscores the evening’s philanthropic purpose: to secure resources for the Gallery’s next decade of exhibitions, scholarship, and community programmes.
Dr Eugene Tan, the National Gallery’s director, calls the anniversary a chance to recalibrate. “The coming years demand new ways of engaging with audiences while staying true to our mission of accessibility. The gala’s support enables us to continue championing Southeast Asian art and contributing to global cultural conversations.”
The event is powered by a steering committee of 11 individuals spanning art, business, and philanthropy. Their insights speak to the broader spirit of the Gala. For Willabelle Ong, the aim was to design auction experiences that embody purposeful luxury. Lee Woon Shiu emphasises imagination as one of Singapore’s greatest assets, while Celeste Basapa highlights the significance of gathering in the historic City Hall Chambers during SG60.
