Ten years ago, two of Singapore’s most storied buildings, the former Supreme Court and City Hall, reopened as one breathtaking space. Today, National Gallery Singapore stands both as a museum and as a living, breathing hub where art, architecture, and community intertwine. This November, the Gallery marks its 10th anniversary with a grand Birthday Bash – a weekend of art, music, food, and joy that encapsulates a decade of creativity and connection.

Since its opening in 2015, National Gallery Singapore has welcomed more than 14 million visitors. In just a decade, it has redefined how art is experienced in the region, hosting blockbuster exhibitions like Yayoi Kusama: Life is the Heart of a Rainbow and Tropical: Stories from Southeast Asia and Latin America, and creating signature festivals such as Light to Night Singapore and the Gallery Children’s Biennale.

As CEO and Director Dr. Eugene Tan puts it, “In just ten years, the Gallery has transformed from a bold idea into a cultural landmark that belongs to the people. Every visitor, artist, and community that has engaged with the Gallery has shaped its journey, proving that art is not only about what hangs on our walls but about the connections it sparks among people. Our 10th anniversary is both a celebration of these shared stories and a call to the future, to continue championing Singapore and Southeast Asian art with renewed ambition, placing our region more firmly on the global stage while remaining a space that belongs to everyone.”

On 15 and 16 November 2025, the Gallery invites everyone to celebrate this milestone with the Gallery’s 10th Birthday Bash: two days of extended hours, free exhibitions, special programmes, and culinary delights. Visitors can explore over ten exhibitions free of charge, including the Southeast Asian premiere of Into the Modern: Impressionism from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, the largest exhibition of French Impressionism ever presented in the region, featuring works by Monet, Renoir, Manet, and Degas.

But the magic doesn’t stop there. Expect to encounter art with a twist, as Artsplaining: 10th Anniversary Edition pairs beloved local personalities such as Gurmit Singh, Kishan, Liu Ling Ling, and Shazza, with Gallery curators for lighthearted, dialogue-driven tours that prove art isn’t just for experts. From witty quips to heartfelt reflections, these sessions promise laughter and discovery in equal measure.

For those who prefer hands-on creativity, Sketch Chapter offers an open sketching session inspired by the Gallery’s neoclassical architecture, in partnership with NAFA’s Centre for Lifelong Learning. Meanwhile, adults can let loose at KCAE After Dark, a one-night-only takeover of the Keppel Centre for Art Education featuring immersive installations, a live DJ, and a playful, party vibe. Families aren’t forgotten, as Messy Morning for the Little Ones returns with a cake-themed sensory play session, while art workshops and animal face painting will keep young creators busy all weekend.

Because no birthday is complete without cake, the festivities kick off with Gallery Turns 10: Celebrating with Cake, a delicious collaboration with local bakeries who’ll reimagine cake as edible art inspired by the Gallery’s architecture. Expect treats that are almost too pretty to eat (almost). Nostalgic snacks from tutu kueh to ice cream sandwiches and iconic mobile food trucks will add to the festive spirit, alongside dining promotions at the Gallery’s restaurants. And if you’re craving something a little different, don’t miss the Gallery Rave: Day Edition with Exposure Therapy, an afternoon of afrobeats, matcha, and movement under the open sky.

In a stunning showcase of creativity and craftsmanship, the Gallery has partnered with 13 beloved local brands from Bynd Artisan and Supermama ,to Mr. Bucket Chocolaterie and Rocket Eyewear. Each collaboration translates the Gallery’s spirit into a collectible object: artisanal chocolates inspired by local art, jewellery echoing the gallery’s golden canopy, limited-edition cameras, and even a tropical pineapple pale ale brewed by The 1925 Brewing Co. These collaborations will be available at the Birthday Bash Market in the Supreme Court Terrace, a design lover’s dream where art, fashion, and storytelling collide.

Perhaps the most touching part of the celebration is Your Gallery Memory: Community Photography Showcase. Here, visitors’ own snapshots and memories, proposals under the dome, children’s laughter echoing through the halls, quiet moments before a painting, will be displayed together, forming a visual time capsule of a decade shared between the Gallery and its people. There’s even a Gallery Birthday Mixtape curated by the public, proof that everyone can play a part in this living artwork of sound and memory.

For those who can’t make it in person, the celebrations continue online. A new digital hub at galleryturns10.sg hosts stories, interactive quizzes, and even a gamified TikTok filter inspired by Raden Saleh’s Boschbrand (Forest Fire), where users control a tiger’s escape through sound. It’s art appreciation for the next generation: playful, personal, and profoundly human.

As the Gallery looks ahead, its mission remains clear: to champion Singapore and Southeast Asian art on the global stage, while remaining a space “that belongs to everyone.” The 10th Birthday Bash is both commemoration and a reminder of how art brings us together, sparks imagination, and celebrates what makes us uniquely Singaporean. So mark your calendars for the weekend of 15th to 16th November, gather your friends and family, and step into the Gallery once again, not just to see art, but to be part of it.

Gallery’s 10th Birthday Bash takes place from 15th to 16th November 2025 at National Gallery Singapore. Full line-up and registration at www.galleryturns10.sg
Free admission for most programmes; registration required for selected sessions.