National Gallery Singapore Brings Art to the Streets with “The Gallery Benches”

From 9 to 18 January 2026, National Gallery Singapore extends its presence beyond museum walls with the launch of The Gallery Benches, an innovative initiative that transforms the Gallery’s iconic logo into ten bold, bright red benches placed across public spaces islandwide.

Functional Art in Everyday Life

More than just visual statements, these benches are designed for public interaction. Visitors and passersby are invited to sit, rest, eat, chat, play, take photos, and engage with the benches in their own ways. By translating the Gallery’s visual identity into functional public furniture, the initiative encourages people to encounter art and culture during everyday moments, whether on a lunch break, a walk in the park, or a casual meetup with friends.

Islandwide Locations

The Gallery Benches appear across a diverse range of neighbourhoods, parks, civic spaces, and cultural districts, including:

• CQ @ Clarke Quay
• East Coast Park
• Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay
• Lau Pa Sat
• Marina Bay
• New Bahru
• Orchard Road
• Raffles City Singapore
• Singapore Botanic Gardens

Each location provides a distinct context, from heritage and commercial precincts to leisure and recreational spaces, reinforcing the Gallery’s mission to meet people where they are.

Documenting Public Interaction

Beyond seating, the benches will be captured through photography and film by Singapore-based visual creators, documenting how everyday interactions unfold around them. Members of the public are also encouraged to photograph and share their experiences, adding layers of community engagement to the project.

From Streets to Gallery

After their islandwide presentation, the benches return to the Gallery from 24 January 2026, where they will be installed as part of the museum’s environment. Having been used in public, they carry traces of daily life, bridging experiences from the city back into the Gallery.

Supporting the Arts Through Bench Adoption

The Gallery Benches also serve as a fundraising initiative. Organisations and individuals can adopt a bench for a three-year period at $10,000, or support one of its two rectangular elements at $6,000. Contributions help fund exhibitions, access programmes, family engagement, and arts and wellness initiatives, supporting the Gallery’s mission to make art accessible to all.