In a celebration of creativity and exploration, the National Gallery Singapore is set to reopen its renowned Keppel Centre for Art Education on 16 December 2023. Just in time for the year-end school holidays, this entirely revamped space promises a world of wonder for children to learn about art through play.
As one of the Gallery’s most beloved spaces, the Keppel Centre for Art Education has undergone a transformation, featuring new child-centric learning zones and activities centered around the theme of “Art & Wonder: Nurturing Wonder through Play and Creativity.” Open to all visitors for free, the Centre invites families to partake in a day of artistic discovery and enjoyment.
Originally inaugurated in 2015, the Keppel Centre for Art Education was the first dedicated art education facility of its kind in Singapore and the region. Its success has been evident, earning international recognition with the 2018 Children in Museums Award, a testament to its engagement in nurturing children’s creativity through art and play.
The revamped Centre introduces an immersive learning space with seven distinct zones, designed to engage children aged 4 to 12. Each zone provides a welcoming and nurturing environment, allowing children to delve into the wonders of the art world through play and creativity. The newly introduced drop-in activities and facilitated workshops aim to develop imagination, critical thinking, and visual literacy skills, focusing on the seven core elements of art: space, form, color, texture, line, shape, and value.
National Gallery Singapore’s approach to young learners aligns with educational pedagogies that foster physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development through active engagement with the arts. The Centre’s immersive learning space encourages exploration and personal connections through play, allowing children to express themselves in imaginative ways.
The Centre expresses gratitude to Keppel for their support, which has made the Keppel Centre for Art Education possible.
Here’s a glimpse of the stimulating and interactive experiences across the seven new zones:
Expansion: A Brush with Forest Fire – Reimagining Raden Saleh’s iconic artwork “Boschbrand (Forest Fire),” this zone invites children to an interactive tropical forest.Activities include learning about environmental issues, experimenting with color theory, and an augmented reality game where children can contribute to putting out a virtual forest fire.
Exploration: Illuminate! – Drawing inspiration from the Gallery’s artworks, this zone encourages visitors to explore abstract art and experiment with the interplay of colors, shapes, light, and shadow.
Experimentation: Makers Studio – Focused on experimentation, this zone invites children to create 3D sculptures using 3D doodling pens and wooden shapes, sparking multi-disciplinary learning.
Expression: Workshop Studio – Offering daily drop-in activities and facilitated workshops, this zone encourages families to explore, create, imagine, and play with various materials.
Role-Playing: Portrait Gallery – Provides opportunities for role-playing activities and creating stories and memories together.Features an Instagram-worthy experience with mirrors and props for dressing up and creating portraits using magnetic props.
Reading Oasis: Book Nook Stocked with a selection of books appropriate for all ages, offering further learning opportunities centered around art.
Calm Pod: A soothing and safe space for visitors to rest and regulate their feelings if they feel overstimulated.
The Centre is free for all visitors, with select ticketed facilitator-led programs offering guided learning experiences. To ensure an enjoyable experience, visitors are encouraged to pre-book a time slot, with walk-ins welcome subject to availability. The Centre will be cleaned and sanitized after every session, ensuring a safe and enriching environment for all. Don’t miss the special opening weekend programs, including a DIY Hat-Making craft activity, creating precious memories for parents and children alike.
