Marina Bay Sands will transform into a vibrant hub for arts and culture in Singapore with the highly anticipated return of Where Art Takes Shape. Taking place from January 16 to 26, 2025, the third edition of this landmark festival offers an exciting lineup of curated activities across the integrated resort.
The festival highlights Marina Bay Sands’ dedication to Singapore’s cultural landscape, celebrating art in all its forms—from the internationally acclaimed ART SG to immersive exhibitions and exclusive culinary experiences crafted by top chefs.
ART SG: Southeast Asia’s Premier International Art Fair
A centerpiece of the festival is ART SG, the leading international art fair in Southeast Asia, held from January 17 to 19, 2025, at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre. Featuring 106 prestigious galleries from 30 countries, ART SG has cemented its reputation as a global platform for contemporary art.
Visitors can immerse themselves in modern art collections, participate in insightful panel discussions, and enjoy a specially curated film program in collaboration with ArtScience Museum. This includes innovative works by emerging artists and documentaries about legendary figures in art. Attendees with tickets to the exclusive Vernissage Preview will gain early access to renowned artworks before the fair’s official opening.
Behind the Canvas: A Tribute to Jean-Michel Basquiat
Dive into cultural storytelling with Behind the Canvas Series 1: Jean-Michel Basquiat. This thought-provoking exhibition at Sands Expo & Convention Centre pays homage to the revolutionary contemporary artist, showcasing his sketches, illustrations, and unique fusion of art, fashion, and technology.
Immersive Art Exhibitions at ArtScience Museum
ArtScience Museum will present two captivating large-scale exhibitions during the festival.
- The World of Studio Ghibli
Singapore’s first official Studio Ghibli exhibition offers an immersive journey through 16 theatrical sets inspired by the studio’s iconic animated films. Spanning 11 galleries, this exhibition, which debuted in October 2024, continues to delight fans of Japanese animation and art. - Altered States: Experiments in Moving Image
Challenging the boundaries of experimental art, Altered States explores analogue and direct filmmaking through four distinctive presentations. Initially scheduled for a month-long run, its popularity has extended the exhibition to February 2, 2025, allowing more visitors to experience the artistry of analogue films and experimental techniques.
Culinary Curations: Where Art Meets Gastronomy
Art takes a sensory turn at Culinary Curations, where Marina Bay Sands chefs create exclusive dishes and cocktails inspired by the festival’s vibrant visuals. Restaurants like Maison Boulud and WAKUDA Restaurant & Bar will offer Show & Dine packages featuring art-inspired dining experiences.
Signature offerings include Yardbird’s “Kiwi & Canvas Cocktail,” a bourbon-based drink by Abegaile Sanchez inspired by kiwi’s vibrant green hues, and Maison Boulud’s “Floating Island” dessert by Chef Mandy Pan, paying tribute to Singapore with blue pea flowers, also used in their signature Butterfly Kiss cocktail.
Marina Bay Art Trail: A Bay-Wide Public Art Experience
Building on the success of the Marina Bay Sands Art Path, the festival expands into a bay-wide public art trail. The trail features installations like Anish Kapoor’s Sky Mirror outside ArtScience Museum and Han Sai Por’s Seeds at the Esplanade Waterfront.
This self-guided tour, supported by an interactive online map, invites visitors to explore Singapore’s public art scene, creating a unique opportunity to experience the vibrancy of contemporary outdoor art across the Marina Bay area.