Get Inspired by the Arts, Appreciate Our Culture and Heritage
Immerse in activities which inspire creativity and discover more about Singapore’s diverse culture and heritage.
Most of the listed sites offer free entry to Singaporeans and/or Permanent Residents (PRs). Click on the links to find out more.
Kindly note that all listings indicate the minimum mobility status (e.g. an activity suitable for someone who is bedbound will also be suitable for a wheelchair user).
Seeking activity ideas? Check out this link to explore activity toolkits produced by AIC!
For a compilation of resources (including activity booklets) to support persons living with dementia and their caregivers, visit this page.
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[For CCOs only] HeritageCaresFind out more about the National Heritage Board’s heritage programmes ranging from guided tours, craft workshops, heritage trails and festivals. Email NHB_HeritageCares@nhb.gov.sg to find out more and to be placed on the mailing list. Target Audience: Community Care Organisations only Photo credit: National Heritage Board |
Meet Me at ReunionCome experience Reunion, an inclusive space for seniors (including those with mild cognitive impairment and dementia), at the National Museum of Singapore. Through a facilitated programme, enjoy familiar tunes at the music booths or have a conversation with old and new friends while engaging with the museum’s interactive objects in the activity area. Participants can also create a digital exhibition with the museum’s Care Facilitator volunteers. Some activities are chargeable. Eligible Community Care Organisations can apply for funding under the NHB HeritageCares initiative. For more information or to check on eligibility, email to nhb_nm_programmes@nhb.gov.sg. Target Audience: Public (Seniors and their Caregivers) and Community Care Organisations Find out more here. Photo credit: Madeni Jais |
Monthly Free ProgrammesExplore a variety of free programmes with different unique themes presented each month by the Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay. Target Audience: Public and Community Care Organisations only Find out more and register here. Photo credit: Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay |
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Programmes from Singapore Association for Mental Health (SAMH) Creative HubSAMH Creative Hub uses a range of creative art forms, art therapy and Somatic Experiencing™ to improve overall wellbeing and increase awareness in mental health literacy. Programmes enable participants to express and explore their emotions through art, music, movement, and other creative activities. These programmes are open to individuals aged 10 and above. Some activities are chargeable. Target Audience: Public and Community Care Organisations Find out more here. Photo credit: Courtesy of Gensler. Photography by Finbarr Fallon |
Senior-friendly Workshops at the National Museum of SingaporeVisit the National Museum of Singapore every second Tuesday of each month to participate in hands-on workshops led by skilled artists of various art forms, such as eco-craft and food making, to engage in new learning. Target Audience: Public (Seniors) and Community Care Organisations Find out more and register here. Photo credit: National Museum of Singapore |
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[For CCOs only] Gallery Wonders presented by Deutsche BankJoin guides from the National Gallery Singapore on a journey to explore Singapore and Southeast Asian art and discover the rich history and architecture of the Old Supreme Court and City Hall that is now National Gallery Singapore. Tours are available onsite or online. Target Audience: Community Care Organisations only Find out more here. Photo credit: National Gallery Singapore |
Guided Tours at the Former Ford FactoryThe Former Ford Factory, restored by the National Archives of Singapore, currently houses a permanent World War II exhibition on the war and its legacies. Join the walk-in tours led by volunteer guides to discover stories behind the collections on display. Each tour offers 20 places on a first-come, first-served basis. Target Audience: Public and Community Care Organisations Find out more here. Photo credit: National Archives of Singapore |
Guided Tours at the Indian Heritage CentreLearn more about the history of the Indian and South Asian communities in the Southeast Asian region through the permanent galleries at the Indian Heritage Centre. Target Audience: Public and Community Care Organisations Find out more here. Photo credit: Indian Heritage Centre |
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Guided Tours at the Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial HallLearn more about the contributions of Dr. Sun Yat Sen and discover the lesser-known details of Singapore and Nanyang’s involvement in the 1911 Revolution through free guided tours of the permanent galleries and special exhibitions. For senior-friendly tours, email NHB_WQY@nhb.gov.sg. Target Audience: Public and Community Care Organisations Find out more here. Photo credit: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall |
[For CCOs only] HeritageCaresFind out more about the National Heritage Board’s heritage programmes ranging from guided tours, craft workshops, heritage trails and festivals. Email NHB_HeritageCares@nhb.gov.sg to find out more and to be placed on the mailing list. Target Audience: Community Care Organisations only Photo credit: National Heritage Board |
Museum Highlights Tour @ Asian Civilisations MuseumTravel through 5000 years of Asian cultures with the friendly guides at Asian Civilisations Museum. Guided tours cover the museum’s permanent galleries. For senior-friendly tours, email nhb_acm_edu@nhb.gov.sg. Target Audience: Public and Community Care Organisations Find out more and register here. Photo credit: Asian Civilisations Museum |
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Museum Highlights Tour @ Peranakan MuseumExplore the uniqueness of Peranakan culture and its diverse communities in these tours led by volunteer docents from the Peranakan Museum. For senior-friendly tours, email nhb_tpm_edu@nhb.gov.sg. Target Audience: Public and Community Care Organisations Find out more here. Photo credit: Peranakan Museum |
Senior-friendly Tours at the National Museum of SingaporeJoin the National Museum of Singapore on a conversational tour of their permanent galleries. Conducted by the museum’s Care Facilitators and based on a different monthly theme, seniors can explore a variety of artefacts from the museum’s collection. Tours are available onsite or online. Target Audience: Public (Seniors) and Community Care Organisations Find out more and register here. Photo credit: National Museum of Singapore |
SINGAPO人: Discovering Chinese Singaporean CultureOrganised by the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, this exhibition spotlights how Chinese heritage, cultural interactions and living in a multicultural society have shaped Chinese culture in Singapore. It also highlights the many facets of the distinctive Chinese Singaporean identity – from food to music, popular culture and language, to festivals. Guided tours are available onsite or online. Target Audience: Public and Community Care Organisations Find out more here. Photo credit: Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre |
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Quiet Mornings at the National Museum of SingaporeFor those who appreciate a quieter and more relaxing environment, visit the National Museum of Singapore during Quiet Mornings, designated on the first Saturday (9am-11am) and first and third Thursdays of each month (9am-12pm). There are also regular hands-on activities every first Thursday of the month. Target Audience: Public and Community Care Organisations Find out more here. Photo credit: National Museum of Singapore |
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Befriender’s Arts ToolkitDownload a copy of the Befriender’s Arts Toolkit, developed by the National Arts Council with artists/art practitioners. This resource provides befriender volunteers with simple arts-based activity ideas that can be used to enhance their befriending journey. Target Audience: Public and Community Care Organisations Find out more here. Photo credit: National Arts Council |
Conversation Starter KitsWalk down memory lane with the National Heritage Board’s Conversation Starter Kits that come in 4 themes – Places, Lifestyle, Jobs and Profession, and Rituals and Celebrations. These kits contain images of olden day Singapore, accompanied by a set of questions to encourage conversations. Target Audience: Public and Community Care Organisations Find out more here. Photo credit: National Heritage Board |
[For CCOs only] Heritage TrunksFacilitate meaningful interactions and conversations between seniors, care staff and volunteers with the National Heritage Board’s thematic trunks containing authentic handling objects from the 1940s to 1970s. Target Audience: Community Care Organisations only Request for the resources here. Photo credit: National Heritage Board |
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Journey with the Arts & Dementia (JADe)Supported by the Chua Foundation, JADe is a capability-building programme which aims to train individuals to spearhead and lead in various reminiscence engagements for persons with cognitive impairment and dementia. Dementia Singapore remains committed to finding ways to involve and inform the community on the use of arts and reminiscence engagement to benefit more persons with dementia and their families. Target Audience: Public (Persons Living with Dementia and their Caregivers) and Community Care Organisations Find out more here. Photo credit: Dementia Singapore |
Moving Memories Resource Kit and Colouring ActivityThe National Museum of Singapore’s Moving Memories multimedia installation presents selected life-sized murals by Yip Yew Chong that bring one through the time and scenes of Singapore. The accompanying resource kit and colouring template were created to help caregivers engage in conversations and create mural-inspired art pieces with their seniors. Target Audience: Public and Community Care Organisations Find out more here. Photo credit: National Museum of Singapore |
My House of Memories AppExplore objects from the past and share memories together with this app for persons living with dementia and their caregivers. A collaboration between the National Heritage Board and the National Museums Liverpool, it features a selection of familiar objects brought to life through multimedia features and images. Target Audience: Public (Persons Living with Dementia and their Caregivers) and Community Care Organisations Download the resource below: Photo credit: National Heritage Board |
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National Museum of Singapore Easy GuidesDownload these Easy Guides for a fuss-free planning experience to the museum and explore two permanent galleries on a self-led tour for seniors and/or persons living with dementia. Target Audience: Public (Seniors, Persons Living with Dementia and their Caregivers) and Community Care Organisations Find out more here. Photo credit: National Museum of Singapore |
William Farquhar Collection of Natural History DrawingsEngage seniors in hands-on activities using the National Museum of Singapore’s activity guide and craft-based activity template based on the William Farquhar Collection. Target Audience: Public and Community Care Organisations Find out more here. Photo credit: National Museum of Singapore |
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A Multilingual Collection of Videos (Hokkien, Teochew, Cantonese, Malay, Tamil and Chinese content)Engage Chinese, Malay, Tamil and dialect speaking seniors with these video playlists by 3Pumpkins. These playlists cover a variety of topics such as comedy, culture, folklore, history of Singapore, current affairs and so on. Target Audience: Public (Seniors) and Community Care Organisations Find out more below:
Photo credit: 3Pumpkins |
Audio Description ToursListen to descriptions of key objects from the Asian Civilisation Museum’s collection from the comfort of one’s home. Target Audience: Public and Community Care Organisations Find out more here. Photo credit: Asian Civilisations Museum |
Authentico Wind EnsembleAuthentico Wind Ensemble (AWE) has been established since December 2016, drawing like-minded musicians with the intention to bring music to the community and the community to music. Enjoy their music through this playlist which also includes their concert held in June 2022. Target Audience: Public and Community Care Organisations Find the resource here. Photo credit: Authentico Wind Ensemble |
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Dialect StorytellingListen to stories in Chinese, Cantonese and Teochew, specially curated by Trendsen Culture Enterprise, for seniors in eldercare facilities. Target Audience: Public and Community Care Organisations Find out more below:
Photo credit: Trendsen Cultural Enterprise |
Dementia Singapore YouTube ChannelEnjoy easy-to-follow videos by Dementia Singapore covering a range of activities such as cooking, art sessions, movements, sing-a-long and live music sessions to engage seniors, persons living with dementia, and their caregivers. Target Audience: Public (Persons Living with Dementia and their Caregivers) and Community Care Organisations Find out more here. Photo credit: Dementia Singapore |
Fun Facts About Artefacts Video SeriesHow does a new nation create an identity for itself? What was the most treasured electrical appliance among families growing up in the 1970s to 1980s? Find out more in the National Museum of Singapore’s virtual gallery tours to uncover facts and stories about some of the museum’s artefacts. Target Audience: Public and Community Care Organisations Find out more here. Photo credit: National Museum of Singapore |
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Guided Tour Videos of Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial HallJoin the docents from the Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall on a guided tour to explore the permanent galleries and discover the various aspects of Singapore history in this series of video tours. Target Audience: Public and Community Care Organisations Find out more here. Photo credit: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall |
Heritage Games and Video SeriesLearn how to play and create traditional Indian games and crafts such as Pallanguzhi, Kuzhangal and Shadow Puppets and the cultural significance behind these through a series of educational videos from the Indian Heritage Centre. Target Audience: Public and Community Care Organisations Find out more here. Photo credit: Indian Heritage Centre |
HokkienOpera PerformancesAppreciate traditional Chinese arts and heritage through videos and podcasts of local Hokkien opera performances from Do Opera [Hokkien]. Featuring The Street Peddler 杂货记, an excerpt from Affinity of the Iron Bow 铁弓缘 and The Jade Pin 碧玉簪, seniors are in for a treat. Target Audience: Public and Community Care Organisations Find out more below:
Photo credit: Do Opera [Hokkien] |
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Keeping Traditions Alive 保留传统习俗Learn how different families keep Chinese traditions alive (e.g. Bak Chang, getai) through this video series by the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre. Target Audience: Public and Community Care Organisations Find out more here. Photo credit: Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre |
Moonfest: Battle of the Xiaoshang RiverWatch an online performance on a breath-taking showcase of martial arts in this classic Cantonese opera excerpt of Yue Fei’s brave general Yang Zaixing’s battle against the Jin army, presented by the Foshan Cantonese Opera Troupe. This online performance is brought to you by the Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay. Target Audience: Public and Community Care Organisations Find out more here. Photo credit: Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay |
Moonfest: Journey to the West: The Tongtian RiverWatch an online performance on an excerpt taken from the classic and well-loved novel, Journey to the West. This performance of The Tongtian River showcases the uniqueness of Taiwanese Hand Puppetry, presented by the Taipei Puppet Theater (Taiwan). This online performance is brought to you by the Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay. Target Audience: Public and Community Care Organisations Find out more here. Photo credit: Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay |
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Moonfest: Teochew Opera ClassicsWatch online performance on two excerpts from Teochew opera classic Su Liu Niang – Tao Hua Crosses the River and Yang Ziliang Demands to Marry the Maiden, presented by the Nam Hwa Opera. This online performance is brought to you by the Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay. Target Audience: Public and Community Care Organisations Find out more here. Photo credit: Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay |
Moonfest: The New Mulan BalladWatch an online performance on the opening piece of Suzhou Tanci, The New Mulan Ballad based on the legend of Mulan. The ballad is a new pingtan classic that celebrates Mulan’s bravery and filial piety. This online performance is brought to you by the Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay. Target Audience: Public and Community Care Organisations Find out more here. Photo credit: Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay |
Moving MemoriesThe Moving Memories multimedia installation presents selected life-sized murals by Yip Yew Chong that bring one through the time and scenes of Singapore, past and present. This video can be used with the Moving Memories Resource Kit, which includes an activity guide created by the National Museum of Singapore. Target Audience: Public and Community Care Organisations Find out more below: Photo credit: National Museum of Singapore |
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李大傻讲古In this VintageRadio.sg podcast series, delve into the stories shared by Lee Dai Sor, also known as Lee Fook Hong, a beloved Cantonese Storyteller. Through his enthralling tales of Chinese folklore, sword fighting, and historical epics, Lee Dai Sor captivated audiences of all ages during the 1950s and 1960s, earning him widespread recognition and admiration. Target Audience: Public and Community Care Organisations Find out more here. Photo credit: VintageRadioSG |
Music for MindfulnessImmerse in Music for Mindfulness by professional chinese orchestra The TENG Company — an innovative and evidence-based musical experience that promotes wellness and lowers stress and anxiety. Fusing ancient Chinese music therapy with Binaural Beat technology, the album encapsulates TENG’s signature East-West sound, offering a contemporary and convenient listening experience. Target Audience: Public and Community Care Organisations Find the resource here. Photo credit: The TENG Company |
One of Us 自己人As Singaporeans get more globalised, dialect cultures are gradually forgotten. However, there are still heroes in Singapore who help to preserve local dialect culture, and encourage the re-discovery of what it means to be a Chinese Singaporean. Watch this video compilation by the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre to learn more about Singapore’s five main dialect groups. Target Audience: Public and Community Care Organisations Find out more here. Photo credit: Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre |
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Plants from Our Past: Do-It-Yourself with Ground-Up InitiativeWhat are some of Singapore’s native plants that can still be found today? In this series of videos by the National Heritage Board, learn about some lesser-known edible plants, and make your own pickled watermelon rinds and more. Target Audience: Public and Community Care Organisations Find out more here. Photo credit: National Museum of Singapore |
Rentak Warisan with Sri Mahligai: Celebrating Our Cultural Heroes & Our CommunitiesCelebrate the musical heroes of Singapore. Get reacquainted with the sounds of The Swallows and the magic of Normadiah in this mini tribute by the Malay Heritage Centre. Target Audience: Public and Community Care Organisations Find out more here. Photo credit: Malay Heritage Centre |
Selera Warisan Video PlaylistA video playlist comprising cooking videos by the Malay Heritage Centre, each video features much-loved recipes and treats including how to make Onde-onde, Lontong Goreng, etc. Target Audience: Public and Community Care Organisations Find out more here. Photo credit: Malay Heritage Centre |
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Songs of Hope Music PerformancesEnjoy an hour of pre-recorded performances by the Volunteer Guitar Connection (VGC). Let VGC volunteers serenade seniors down memory lane with covers of nostalgic songs in English, Chinese, Cantonese and Hokkien. Target Audience: Public and Community Care Organisations Find out more here. Photo credit: Volunteer Guitar Connection |
Tastes of Our Time: Cook with Christopher Video TutorialsJoin cookbook author and food scholar Christopher Tan, as he shares stories and recipes inspired by the cooking styles and ideas from the various eras of Singapore history. Target Audience: Public and Community Care Organisations Find out more here. Photo credit: National Museum of Singapore |
“TENG Gives Back” Digital Series – Music Video PlaylistEnjoy a collection of online performances of yesteryear and Chinese hits by professional chinese orchestra, The TENG Company, as part of their “TENG Gives Back” initiative. Target Audience: Public and Community Care Organisations Find the resource here. Photo credit: The TENG Company |
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Traditions That Live On Video SeriesHear the stories of those who keep traditions alive in Singapore today in this video series by the Indian Heritage Centre. See how homegrown Karagam dancers relive this rich heritage and perform traditional Indian folk dance and learn how a 3rd generation Patthar intricately makes each piece of jewellery for special occasions using traditional methods. Target Audience: Public and Community Care Organisations Find out more here. Photo credit: Indian Heritage Centre |
听画的故事 Stories of Artists听画的故事 Stories of Artists is a video series by ARTualize that unveils the lives and creative journey of talented local artists. Delving into the stories behind their paintings, this series offers a glimpse into their inspirations, struggles and triumphs. Target Audience: Public and Community Care Organisations Find the resource here. Photo credit: ARTualize |
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AIC Activity Repository
This page was created to provide a one-stop site for seniors, healthcare staff, volunteers and caregivers to discover a wide range of activities and resources that can be enjoyed by seniors with limited mobility.
