Slow down + live well with mindful art partnerships.
 

A curated list of art spaces to visit, to inspire, and inform curatorial practice

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A curated list of art spaces to visit, to inspire, and inform curatorial practice 〰️

Singapore

 
 

  • The Singapore Art Museum (SAM), established in 1996, was the first art museum in Singapore. It serves as a platform for contemporary art from a Southeast Asian perspective, catering to artists, art enthusiasts, and the curious alike. SAM operates multiple venues across the island, including a newly established space in the historic port area of Tanjong Pagar.

    SAM is dedicated to building one of the world's most significant public collections of Southeast

  • National Gallery Singapore is a premier visual arts museum that manages the largest public collection of modern art from Singapore and Southeast Asia.

  • Konstrukt is a creative studio in Singapore, founded on the belief that good design should be accessible to all. It arose from the need for artists to have a tangible platform for their work, prioritising physical engagement with art over social media exposure.

    Visitors to Konstrukt will find a variety of products, including t-shirts, prints, zines, and handmade bags, created by local artists. The studio also showcases curated ceramics and nostalgic 90s toys, reflecting the founders' tastes. Much of the merchandise is screen printed in-house, highlighting the founders' commitment to supporting local creativity and craftsmanship.

  • Starch is an artist-run space dedicated to fostering experimentation, dialogue, and re-orientation within the contemporary arts community. By providing a platform for diverse artistic practices, it encourages collaboration and innovation among artists. Starch prioritises open conversations, allowing for the exploration of new ideas and approaches, ultimately serving as a vibrant.

  • Grey Projects, founded in 2008 in Tiong Bahru, Singapore's oldest public housing estate, is a cultural hub featuring a library, residency apartment, studio, and two galleries. It hosts various activities, including book production, exhibitions, talks, residencies, reading groups, and workshops focused on contemporary design, writing, curatorial research, and art.

    Grey Projects aims to foster creativity and community engagement, serving as a key platform for artistic exploration and dialogue.

    We have also donated part of our art book collection to their library.

  • I_S_L_A_N_D_S is a platform urging artists to rethink their practices and experiment with exhibitions. It features short-term presentations based on themes from artists, allowing them to explore new concepts. The initiative mirrors island ecology, fostering biodiversity and innovation. From November 2017 to October 2018, it activated eight showcase windows for dialogue between the Peninsula and Excelsior Shopping Centres. In April 2020, it transitioned into a shopfront in the Excelsior basement, continually shaping and diversifying artists' practices like the tides.

 

Japan

 

  • The Pit Inn - A Legacy in Jazz

    The original Pit Inn, opened on December 24, 1965, in Shinjuku 3-chōme by Yoshitake Sato, was initially a jazz coffee shop managed by Goro Sakai. By March 1966, it hosted live jazz every weekend and theatrical performances on weekdays, cultivating a Greenwich Village vibe by 1968.

    The club became a crucial venue for local and international artists, featuring acts like The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra and showcasing diverse cultural events. Notable Japanese musicians such as Terumasa Hino, Sadao Watanabe, and Yōsuke Yamashita honed their craft there. Entrance fees were 450 Yen in the afternoon and 500 Yen in the evening, including a drink, in a "comfortably dingy" setting cherished by jazz enthusiasts. However, it closed in January 1992 due to building demolition.

    Reopening on July 5, 1992, in a new location, the Pit Inn continues to be a cornerstone of Japan's jazz scene, celebrated as one of its most important jazz clubs.

  • From the outset, the aim for Roppongi Hills was to serve as a model for urban planning, which included proposing a new museum dedicated to contemporary art and architecture. The Mori Art Museum opened in October 2003 atop the Mori Tower, becoming a prominent feature of Tokyo’s skyline. The museum fosters enjoyment and discussion, encouraging open debate on culture and society through its exhibitions and learning programs. Since its opening, the museum has received acclaim for its original exhibitions centered on universal themes, and it seeks to connect contemporary art with the residents and visitors of Tokyo.

  • 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT is a venue focused on design that promotes a new viewpoint on common objects and experiences, supporting diverse ideas and highlighting findings through a design-centric approach. Founded by designer Issey Miyake, the institution seeks to improve comprehension and appreciation of design by involving designers, industry experts, artisans, and the general public. Situated in Tokyo Midtown in Roppongi, it was inaugurated in March 2007 and boasts a building designed by the esteemed architect Tadao Ando.

  • In 2009, Commune opened their gallery and shop, in Tokyo. By 2013, they launched “commune Press,” an independent press aimed at expanding their mission of introducing talented artists to a global audience.

 
 

Australia

 

  • The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) is Australia’s oldest and most visited art gallery. Located in two buildings—NGV International and The Ian Potter Centre—the NGV showcases a diverse array of exhibitions and events featuring both local and international artists. Since its founding in 1861, the gallery has amassed over 76,000 works, encompassing various art forms and styles. Admission is free, inviting all to explore its extensive collection and participate in its programs.

  • The Sculpture Park is a 330-acre outdoor gallery featuring approximately 60 large-scale works, set along gentle pathways. Unlike other parks in Australia, it showcases both international and prominent Australian artists, including KAWS, Yayoi Kusama, and Tony Cragg. Each sculpture is accompanied by an explanatory plaque detailing the artist's career and the significance of the piece. The park is continually evolving with plans for future acquisitions and commissioned works.

  • Established in 2024, Artemisia is an independent gallery and event space situated in Windsor. The gallery welcomes artists and collectives from all career stages, fostering a diverse array of mediums and styles. Artemisia is committed to offering a varied and memorable exhibition program, which encompasses both traditional exhibitions and a range of art-oriented events and workshops. The team at Artemisia prioritizes providing high levels of support and expertise to its clients, while also maintaining robust connections within the community.

  • BSIDE Gallery, located in Fitzroy and established in 2016, showcases Urban Contemporary Art from both emerging and established artists. It challenges traditional gallery norms and has hosted debut solo exhibitions by artists like Crisis, Silk Roy, Dose, Michael Cain, and Tommy Dassalo. The gallery represents a diverse array of local and international talents, including Josh Lord, Caper, Will Coles, Said Dokins, Tuyuloveme, and Chaz Bojórquez. The name ‘BSIDE’ reflects the unique, often overlooked art found on the flipside of records and tapes, highlighting originality and authenticity.

  • The Art Gallery of Ballarat serves as a cultural hub for the city, inspiring and engaging visitors through art. Rooted in 19th-century ideals, it emphasizes social connection, inclusion, and education. The Gallery's mission, “Not for self but for all,” remains vital, focusing on reflecting Ballarat's story and enhancing audience experience. By connecting local and global communities, fostering local artists, and collaborating with researchers, the Gallery continues to address the needs of its diverse audience, showcasing the narratives of the past, present, and future.

  • Geelong Gallery, established in 1896, is one of Australia's oldest and leading regional art galleries. It hosts a significant collection of Australian and European art, featuring notable works such as Eugène von Guérard’s View of Geelong (1856) and Frederick McCubbin’s A bush burial (1890). The gallery emphasizes early depictions of the Geelong region and aims to enrich the community through engagement, educational programs, and inspiring exhibitions.

  • Sweet Pea is a gallery located at 58 Pier Street in Boorloo (Perth, Western Australia). Our mission is to foster sustainable artistic careers and contribute to a fair and accessible local arts community.

  • Cool Change Contemporary Inc. is an artist-run initiative located in the Boorloo/Perth CBD. It features a monthly program of exhibitions alongside performances, screenings, workshops, and events, and includes a shop for artist-made goods and publications. The initiative symbolizes the arrival of a refreshing change, reflecting interconnectedness with the environment and a sense of anticipation. Founded in August 2018 by a group of volunteers, Cool Change promotes critically engaged art in an accessible and welcoming setting. It operates near Kuraree, a historic meeting place for the Whadjuk Noongar community, and recognizes the importance of First Nations knowledge and contributions to its creative practices.

  • The Blue Room Theatre has been a cornerstone of Western Australia’s independent theatre scene for over 35 years, located in the Perth Cultural Centre. Known for notable productions like The Adventures of Alvin Sputnik: Deep Sea Explorer and Letters Home, the venue has also launched the careers of many artists, including Matthew Lutton and Tim Minchin. It supports emerging talent through a year-round program of contemporary performance, with an annual season from April to December and a celebrated Summer Nights program. With a rich legacy of fostering independent performance, the Blue Room Theatre invites

  • Pig Melon is a studio, gallery, and project space in Boorloo (Perth), Australia, that is operated by volunteers.