Make room in your diaries for 16-24 January: it's time to get the whole family into our vibrant arts scene with fun activities, exhibits and hands-on fun at Singapore Art Week! Here’s the HoneyKids top 10 of kids-friendly activities to get you started...
Do your kids love art and craft? Get the whole family on board for Singapore Art Week 2016! This nine-day festival from 16-24 January is jam-packed with exhibits, art tours, hands-on fun, markets and more. Here’s our top 10 family-friendly activities that are part of the celebrations – and this is just the tip of the iceberg – add these to your list of things to do in January, folks!
1. Merryn’s Monoprinting and Street Art Spray Painting workshops 16-17 January and 22-24 January
Okay folks, this is your chance to let your kids go wild with spray paint! Sing them up for this very cool workshop, which is open to kids eight to 18 (little ones below eight can join in if accompanied by a parent, but we know you’ll want to join in too anyway!). This hands-on workshop with Merryn Trevethan, HUFF Studio’s Artist in Residence (pictured top) is one and a half hours of technicolour fun: kids will learn how to create their own monoprint as well as having a go at street-style art. The $30 admission covers all materials, and includes drinks and snacks; booking is required 24 hours in advance – email [email protected].
16 Jan -17 Jan, 2-4pm and 22 Jan – 24 Jan, 2-4pm, HUFF Studio, Gillman Barracks, 9 Lock Road 108937; www.gillmanbarracks.com
2. Art After Dark at Gillman Barracks, 22 January
This is one event worth staying up for: Art After Dark at Gillman Barracks is a huge hit for its unique mix of interactive art, galleries, live performances and food trucks. This year, a Children’s Lantern Parade starring young performers from SCGS is being added to the mix – head to Playeum for the parade starting point! We’re also super keen on Extreme Picnic – snap up a picnic basket curated by local artists online, then bring your blanket to enjoy a little feast beneath the stars. (Collection and cash payment of the baskets will be from 7.15pm onwards on 22 Jan outside the Yeo workshop at Gillman Barracks.)
Free admission, 6pm-10pm, Gillman Barracks, 1 Lock Road 108937; www.gillmanbarracks.com
3. When Renndom Met Airany exhibit, 23 January to 14 February
We’ve been waiting to see this exhibition of impressive works by young brother-sister duo Renn and Aira Lim – who are just 12 and nine years old! Revealing all the loves, hates and humour of a brother-sister relationship, it’s bound to strike a chord… Staged by family art collective Holycrap, it’s a highlight of the Tanjong Goodman festival at the Goodman Arts Centre and love that these young artists are getting the chance to shine. Your kiddos will be inspired too!
10am-6pm, free admission; Multi-Purpose Hall at Goodman Arts Centre, 90 Goodman Rd, Singapore 439053
4. Children & Teen’s Sculpture competition 23 January
Let your kids unleash their creativity by making a sculpture from found materials (and perhaps winning a gift voucher from Art Friend for their efforts!). Kids will get a crash course from members of the Sculpture Society (Singapore) before creating their own little masterpiece following the theme ‘Mother Nature’. This comp is for kids age 6-12 and teens 13 -16 – register online for the Sculpture Competition by 16 January.
Free admission, 9.30am-12.30pm with registration at 9am; Sculpture Pavilion (near OMSQ and Fort Gate), Fort Canning Park
5. Goodman Farmers’ Market at Tanjong Goodman 23 January
This new farmers’ market launches at the Tanjong Goodman 2016 festival on 23 January – hurrah to more lovely local produce and gourmet goodies! Browse stalls brimming with fresh local produce and treats from Singaporean brands such as The Indiana Supply Co, HIC Juice and Divine Bespoke Cookies. Look for the umbrellas between Block B and Amphitheatre!
10am-6pm, free admission, Goodman Arts Centre, 90 Goodman Rd, 43905; www.goodmanartscentre.sg
6. Public Art Walking Tour 16 and 23 January
Follow a guided art tour through the city to learn about Singapore’s heritage and identity and take in three unique art installations in scenic spots around town. Cloud Nine: Raining, 24 Hours in Singapore and The Rising Moon can be found by the Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall, The Arts House (the former Parliament House), Asian Civilisations Museum, National Gallery Singapore and Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay. We know the kids are especially going to love catching their reflection in the giant steel spheres by the ACM!
Free admission, 9am-10am, Jubilee Walk Heritage Trail, Civic District; www.publicarttrust.sg
7. Light and Shadow at Art Outreach, 22-24 January
We’re not afraid of the dark! Everyday objects come to life through the clever use of light and shadow in this fun installation by local street artist ANTZ. This event kicks off from 8pm on 22 January, but there’s an earlier run of 12pm-6pm on the 23rd and 24th so younger kids can catch the action too.
Free admission, Art Outreach, Gillman Barracks, 47 Malan Road, #01-24, Singapore 109444; www.facebook.com/ArtOutreachSG
8. The Speed of Paint at Playeum, 24 January
We love Playeum – it’s one of our fave spots for entertaining the kids on a rainy day. If you haven’t already dropped by to enjoy its current interactive exhibit for kids The Art of Speed, then don’t miss its daring program for Singapore Art Week: The Speed of Paint. We think the name says it all, but here’s a hot tip: wear a white T-shirt to capture all the fun. The paint is literally going to fly! RSVP by emailing [email protected].
10am-12pm and 2pm-4pm, free admission, Playazza (Outside the Children’s Centre for Creativity – Block 47 Malan Road, Gillman Barracks); www.playeum.com
9. Great Singapore Garage Sale at Tanjong Goodman, 23 January
Rummagers, rejoice – the fifth edition of the wildly popular Great Singapore Garage Sale will be on during the Tanjong Goodman festival, so get ready to go hunting for preloved books, toys, clothes and more. Go on a treasure hunt in between all those art and craft workshops you’ll be checking out at Tanjong Goodman 2016.
10am-6pm, Goodman Arts Centre; 90 Goodman Rd, 439053; www.facebook.com/theGSGS/
10. The Singpapore Contemporary Art Show, 22-24 January
Singapore has a new addition to its vibrant cultural scene: The Singapore Contemporary Art Show, which kicks off as part of Singapore Art Week. Catch live painting demos, meet the artists and browse through original paintings, limited editions, sculptures and photography from China to Europe and North and South America. Bringing your own budding artists along? Sign your kids up for the fun Macey and Sons Kids Arts Tour. Don’t forget to pop by the Macey and Sons Kids Art Studio (operated by Little Artists Art Studio) where the kiddos will be coached by experienced art teachers!
General Admission: Friday January 22 – 12pm to 9pm; Saturday January 23 – 11am to 7pm; Sunday January 24 – 11am to 6pm. Tickets from $30; Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre, Level 4, 1 Raffles Boulevard, Suntec City; www.singaporecontemporary.com
For more on Singapore Art Week, visit www.artweek.sg.