The Singapore Art Museum (SAM) was opened on 20 January 1996 by Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong. After 28 months of work, the painstaking restoration project for the former St. Joseph’s Institution building was completed in October 1995.

 

SAM stamped its identity as an art museum of modern and contemporary Singapore and Southeast Asian art through its inaugural exhibition, Modernity and Beyond- A Century of Art in Singapore, and Themes in Southeast Asian Art.

 

As the museum sought to broaden its appeal to every member of the public, it implemented strategies such as affordable admission fees, a range of programmes targeting different interests, demonstrations by artists, talks and open dialogue sessions, art workshops and family programmes to attract the public.  

 

Photo courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore