Art After Dark

What were the initial goals for the cluster, and do you feel that they have been achieved?

Kow Ree Na: The joint vision for Gillman Barracks by NAC, EDB and JTC Corporation is to develop it into a key visual art precinct in Asia, so as to strengthen Singapore’s position as an arts hub in Asia. In these three years, Gillman Barracks has gained good traction amongst the international and local art community. Collectively, our tenants have put up over 300 quality exhibitions, many with a focus on South-East Asian art. Some of our international galleries also carry our local artists back in their home branches, such as Jason Wee in Michael Janssen Berlin and Jane Lee in Sundaram Tagore New York. We look forward to more good things to come as we celebrate our third anniversary.

What are some of the aspects that Gillman Barracks is currently working to improve on?

Kow: Taking into account feedback from our tenants and the public, we have built sheltered walkways, rest points, and a linkway to Alexandra Road to shorten access from Labrador Park MRT to seven minutes so as to enhance visitor experience, and increased the F&B offerings to the current five restaurants, cafes and bars, with former Gillman Village Handlebar and one more cafe to open by the end of the year, bringing it to a total of seven establishments.

You’ve just put out an open call for new tenants. What are the criteria that you keep in mind?

Kow: They will be evaluated based on the gallery’s profile, artist representation, portfolio of past exhibitions to name a few. There will be two phases of submissions for the open call and we should expect the first batch of new galleries to soft launch early next year.

There are two tours that visitors can join by Art Outreach and Friends of the Museums. Tell us more about those.

Low Eng Teong: Art Outreach will be designing programmes specifically for Gillman Barracks tailored to art enthusiasts and members of the public who are new to contemporary art, such as workshops and a new visual thinking skills programme. This is in line with our aim to increase visual arts literacy and promote the appreciation of the arts in Singapore. Friends of the Museums conduct two regular tours around the enclave – a weekly 'Art & History' tour for art enthusiasts looking for a unique encounter with art and a dose of the Barracks' history, and a monthly 'History & Heritage' tour that focuses on the Barracks' evolution from a British military barracks in the 1936 to today’s contemporary art enclave. The tours usually run on Fridays or weekends.

We hear that an extra big edition of Art After Dark will be planned for this month. Could you share more details with us?

Low: The next edition of Art After Dark on Friday, September 25 at 7pm will be part of Gillman Barracks' third anniversary celebrations. Expect several special exhibitions featuring Singapore artists and programmes by the galleries; NTU Centre for Contemporary Art Singapore’s Residencies: OPEN series, where visitors can explore studios of their artists-in-residence; soft openings by our new tenants Playeum and Art Outreach and a 50 Years of Singapore Art Archives exhibition. There will also be special music programming, F&B pop-ups, a design retail market, visitor engagement activities, an after party and much more. Join us for an arty night out under the stars as Gillman Barracks celebrates its third anniversary!