More room to showcase art in town

The new centre at Dhoby Ghaut Green has a 161 sq m gallery for exhibitions and an 84 sq m studio for classes and workshops. Director of the centre Iola Liu has lined up a series of foundation art courses in oil painting, drawing and sketching to begin by the end of next month. ST PHOTO: CHEWSENG KIM

A new arts centre will open on Sunday at Dhoby Ghaut Green – a 11,000 sq m park which includes an amphitheatre and open lawn spaces just above the MRT station.

The Visual Arts Centre, comprising a 161 sq m gallery for exhibitions and an 84 sq m studio for classes and workshops, has been developed in the glass building formerly occupied by a restaurant.

It aims to ease the crunch for affordable exhibition space in town and strengthen the arts theme of the seven-year-old park.

The National Parks Board (NParks), which leased the building to art gallery owner Iola Liu after a public tender last year, hopes it will allow park visitors to enjoy more arts-related recreational activities.

“Arts recreational activities are known to be therapeutic and these leisure activities can help to enhance the well-being of park users,” said NParks’ Lifestyle Business Division director Tan Lai Kheng.

RENTALS OF OTHER GALLERY SPACES

Singapore Management University: The de Suantio Gallery (180 sq m):
$900 per day

Nanyang Academy ofFine Arts: Ngee Ann Kongsi Gallery 1 (258 sq m) andGallery 2 (271 sq m):
$900 per day

Singapore Chinese Chamberof Commerce and Industry Building Exhibition Hall (approximately 200 sq m):
$1,000 (weekends) and $850 per day

The Substation: Ground FloorGallery (113 sq m):
$730 per day

The Art House : ExhibitionGallery (approximately 200 sq m):
$750 per day for commercial galleries

ION Art Gallery(approximately 500 sq m):
$575 per day for practising artists only

She explained that the site was chosen as it blends well with the surrounding arts-related buildings, such as the School of the Arts, Cathay Building and the National Museum Singapore.

Ms Liu, 25, the new centre’s director and Gallery Asia Art Collective owner, said she spent the past three months and nearly $200,000 turning the former restaurant into a gallery and art studio. She has already lined up a series of foundation art courses such as those in oil painting, drawing and sketching to begin by the end of next month.

Workshops and talks by both local and visiting artists from overseas are also being planned.

Its exhibition space will be available to rent.

“There is a shortage of exhibition space, especially in the town area, and with our rate at only $650 a day with no extra charges, it is probably the most attractive,” said Ms Liu.

She said rental rates of exhibition space nearby range from as high as $900 a day at the Singapore Management University, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts and the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Building to between $575 and $750 a day at other venues such as ION Art Gallery, the Substation and The Art House at the Old Parliament Building.

“Their prices do not include extras like GST, administration and other charges, though some of their premises may be slightly bigger than ours.” she added.

Ms Liu has already had many inquiries to book the venue. First to rent the centre’s space is the Federation of Art Societies Singapore, an umbrella body for 31 local art groups. It is holding a two-week exhibition jointly with art societies from Malaysia and China to showcase the works of artists from the three countries from Sunday at 2.30 pm.

Federation president Stephen Leong, 65, said: “We are happy to be using the centre’s gallery for the show. The opening of the centre is indeed timely as our members have been complaining of the shortage of affordable rental space to show their works.”

China-born Singapore artist Fan Shaohua, 53, who is among the seven Singapore artists taking part in the show, said: “The centre’s location is excellent and I am happy to be among the first to show my works there.”

Ms Liu said: “We will be encouraging more Singapore artists to hold their shows at our centre. Later, talks and tours on the exhibitions will also be organised to benefit those who want to know more.”

The Visual Arts Centre will be open daily from 10am to 10pm.

You can read the original article here.

FAQs about Visual Arts Centre Exhibition Gallery - Best event space for hire in Singapore

Visual Arts Centre Exhibition Gallery (VAC) is a glass house exhibition gallery and studio, situated in the prestigious and cultural Arts and Heritage district of Dhoby Ghaut. In the heart of town, at the start of Orchard Road, Visual Arts Centre is centrally located and conveniently accessible via all modes of transportation like bus and Dhoby Ghaut MRT.

Address: 10 Penang Road, #01-02 Dhoby Ghaut Green, S(238469)

  1. Art exhibition by international art groups / societies and independent artists
  2. Art auctions
  3. Local art exhibitions by art societies / art groups and independent artists
  4. Pottery and craft exhibitions
  5. Furniture / product model showcases
  6. Fashion exhibitions and showcases
  7. Lifestyle boutique fairs, flea markets and popup fairs
  8. Book launch and signing seminar
  9. Networking seminar and talks
  10. Media functions and product launches
  11. Private and closed door events
  12. Other events and functions

Art & Design Exhibitions ( 7 days )
11am – 8pm daily. Inclusive of set-up & tear-down, $150 for every additional hour. The *first day of the exhibition is Tuesday by default.
-Extended hours of up to 10pm for one day only for Exhibition Opening ceremony.
-Handover to exhibitor: 1st day – 11am 7th day – 8pm
S$5,800/7 days & S$650/day for each subsequent day

Art and Design Exhibitions or Meetings ( <7 days )
11 am to 8pm daily. Inclusive of set-up & tear-down
Mon – Thu S$950nett/day Fri – Sun S$1200nett/day $150 per additional hour

Flea Market & Boutique Fairs ( minimum Fri – Sun)
Choice of 11 am to 8pm or 1pm-10pm daily. Inclusive of set-up & tear-down
_Three Days Fri – Sun at S$3600nett, $150 per additional hour; Mon – Thu at $950nett/day _
(SPECIAL PROMOTION) S$4,400nett for Thursday to Sunday 11am – 8pm or 1pm – 10pm

Product Launches or Media Functions (1 day minimum hire period )
11am to 8pm daily Inclusive of set-up & tear-down
Mon – Fri S$ 2,200nett/day Sat – Sun $2,500nett/day $150 per additional hour.

The Exhibition Gallery space is a fully equipped indoor glasshouse exhibition space with 31 (1.2 x 2.5m) panels, hanging system, studio lighting, inbuilt sound and microphone system, projector, long tables and foldable chairs – all provided and complimentary for exhibitors hiring the Exhibition Gallery.

Yes, we allow at no additional cleaning fee

Yes! We can share with you our partner contacts upon space hire confirmation.

Our space is very popular for events like art exhibition, product launch, or private events. Please get in touch with us at Whatsapp http://wa.me/6562550711 or email us at info@visualartscentre.sg to arrange for guided site recce and we will assist you further on the space layouts & arrangement etc!

We will require full payment of hire fee with a $1000 refundable security deposit before the event. Kindly email us the payment screenshot for us to check and confirm the hire.

The exhibitor must notify the licensor immediately in an event that a cancellation is made and may be liable to pay for all losses and damages suffered by the Licensor. For this reason, the Exhibitor will only receive a certain percentage of refund by the Licensor as follows:
In the event where notification is received on a date:
i. Less than 120 days from event date: 80% refund
ii. Less than 90 days from event date: 50% refund
iii. Less than 60 days from event date: No refund
*The security deposit will be refunded in full to the Exhibitor

Foundation In Digital Art

Embark on a captivating journey into the vibrant world of digital art! Our Foundation in Digital Art workshop invites budding creatives aged nine and above to unleash their imagination and hone their artistic skills in a dynamic, supportive environment. From mastering basic digital tools to crafting mesmerizing digital masterpieces, children will explore a spectrum of techniques guided by seasoned mentors. Through hands-on activities and interactive sessions, participants will discover the endless possibilities of digital expression while fostering creativity and critical thinking. Join us for an exhilarating adventure where young artists transform ideas into stunning visual realities, igniting a passion for digital art

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World of Manga [Foundation & Styling]
A manga art workshop for children and teenagers sounds like a fantastic idea! Here’s how you might structure it:
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Final Showcase: End the workshop with a showcase of participants’ work. This could be in the form of an exhibition, digital gallery, or printed booklet. Celebrate everyone’s creativity and progress throughout the workshop.
Remember to create a supportive and encouraging environment where participants feel free to express themselves and explore their creativity. And don’t forget to have fun! Manga is all about imagination and passion, so let that spirit shine through in your workshop.
Academy Drawing Traditions
The academy drawing and sketching tradition, rooted in centuries of artistic practice, emphasizes disciplined study of form, proportion, and technique. Originating from Renaissance workshops and formalized by institutions like the Royal Academy, it prioritizes meticulous observation and mastery of fundamental skills. Students progress from basic exercises to complex compositions, learning to depict still life and common objects with precision and expression. This tradition values both classical principles and innovation, encouraging artists to push boundaries while maintaining a deep respect for tradition. Through rigorous training and critique, artists within this tradition cultivate a strong foundation for creative exploration and artistic excellence.
Chinese Ink Painting and Calligraphy
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