On a plot that was once just a “grass patch at the west garden,” something far more ambitious has taken root. Today, that same space has transformed into IMBA Theatre—a sprawling, multi-sensory destination that’s redefining how we experience art, culture, and even a day out in Singapore.

Set within the iconic Gardens by the Bay, IMBA Theatre isn’t just another gallery or performance venue. It’s a place where storytelling spills beyond frames and stages into immersive worlds, and where a visit can just as easily include art, dining, design shopping, and a touch of self-discovery.

“What IMBA is built for are large-scale exhibitions, not just to build, but also to integrate cultures from the west and east, local and global,” said Gardens by the Bay CEO Felix Loh at the opening. “We really hope to invite you on this journey of discovery.”

That spirit of discovery is embedded in every corner of IMBA. Spanning over 80,000 square feet, the venue blends gallery spaces with cutting-edge black box theatres, creating a canvas for experiences that are as emotional as they are visual.

For Michael Lee, CEO of IMBA, the vision has always been about pushing boundaries. “Our journey has been shaped through uncertainty, from presenting Chihuly’s glass work back in 2021 to now how we transform the way people experience arts and culture,” he shared. “People of all ages and backgrounds can experience something meaningful.”

IMBA opens with two headline experiences that set the tone for what’s to come. The first is a deeply personal tribute to Fernando Botero, whose signature “Boterismo” style, defined by exaggerated volume and form, comes alive in A Life in Fullness, a 40-minute immersive journey narrated by his son, Fernando Botero Zea.

“I thought I had seen every conceivable situation, then Michael Lee called me,” Botero Zea recalled. “He said we are going to do the greatest Botero show in Singapore, and I said, ‘Where is it?’ He said, ‘It doesn’t exist yet.’”

What followed is now one of the world’s most striking exhibition spaces. “This is a room big enough for Botero’s imagination, so the sculptures don’t have to apologise for their monumental size,” he said. “This is not a documentary but a personal story through my memory, my eyes, my voice.”

Alongside it is the Southeast Asia premiere of David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not Smaller and Further Away), an immersive exploration of David Hockney’s six-decade career. Narrated by the artist himself and set to a score by Nico Muhly, the experience invites visitors to quite literally step inside his perspective. As Richard Slaney, CEO of Lightroom, put it, “You can discover David Hockney and literally stand inside the artwork while he explains it to you.”

IMBA isn’t just about what’s on the walls, it’s about how you live the experience. Start with the Prudential Experience Zone, where visitors can create avatars and explore a whimsical digital world inspired by Singapore. Imagine gliding past landmarks like the Singapore Flyer or wandering through a surreal landscape of chilli crab castles and kueh-shaped shophouses.

“We invite the public to rediscover the city’s heritage through a lens of fun, discovery and shared memorable experiences,” said Toni Fung, Chief Customer & Marketing Officer, Prudential, who sponsored the Prudential Experience Zone.

Then there’s the IMBA Stacked Store, where design meets storytelling. Think Botero-inspired homeware, limited-edition prints, and objects that let you take a piece of the experience home. As the team behind Stacked Store puts it, IMBA is “a new way of experiencing storytelling… translated into objects you can live with.”

Coming soon is Realm Café, a wellness-focused dining concept designed for both pause and connection. “Our wellbeing-centered dining concept is designed to anchor the experience,” its creators shared, positioning it as a space to “recharge, reconnect and continue exploring.”

While IMBA’s opening lineup is undeniably global, its ambitions are rooted in Singapore’s creative future. The venue will spotlight local talent, starting with Singaporean artist IC Koh, and collaborate with institutions like Nanyang Polytechnic School of Design and Media. It’s part of a broader mission to create a space where international and local artistry coexist, where ideas flow freely across borders and disciplines.

IMBA Theatre represents a shift in how we think about cultural spaces. It’s not just somewhere you go to see art, it’s somewhere you go to feel it, live it, and even carry it into your everyday life. Or, as Felix Loh put it: “Beyond art, there is music, history, fashion and everything in between.” And in a city that thrives on reinvention, IMBA might just be the most compelling new way to experience it all.

Photo Credit: IMBA

For more information, please visit https://imbaglobal.com/whats-on and follow IMBA’s journey on Instagram (@be.imba).