The National Gallery Singapore has secured a landmark designation as Asia’s inaugural Healing Arts Centre of Excellence, recognizing its pioneering efforts to integrate the arts into public health and wellness initiatives, particularly for vulnerable populations.
In a significant move underscoring the growing global recognition of the arts as a vital component of holistic healthcare, the National Gallery Singapore (NGS) has been officially named the first Healing Arts Centre of Excellence in Asia. This prestigious designation, awarded by the Jameel Arts & Health Lab and the World Health Organization (WHO), positions Singapore’s largest and oldest museum as a key partner in developing and implementing health and wellness programs. The partnership targets underserved communities, including individuals living with disabilities, chronic illnesses, and dementia, affirming the museum’s commitment to social well-being alongside cultural enrichment.
The designation places NGS in an exclusive cohort of world-renowned institutions similarly recognized for their commitment to arts and health, such as Carnegie Hall and the Scottish Ballet. This global acknowledgment validates the profound impact cultural institutions can have on public health strategies by using creative engagement to address physical, mental, and social health challenges.
Launching “Healing Arts Singapore”
Central to this new status is the activation of Healing Arts Singapore, a collaborative, long-term initiative designed to fuse the transformative power of the arts with healthcare systems across the nation. This campaign involves significant academic and artistic partners, including the Youth Siew Toh Conservatory of Music’s Centre for Music and Health at the National University of Singapore, the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), and the University of the Arts Singapore.
The domestic success of Healing Arts Singapore is intended to serve as a blueprint, allowing the framework and its positive outcomes to be amplified and adapted across the broader Asian region. The effort seeks to formalize and professionalize the integration of creative practices into preventative care and therapeutic interventions.
Accessibility and Inclusivity at NGS
NGS has already established several initiatives focusing on inclusivity and providing therapeutic art experiences tailored for diverse needs:
- Mindfulness Audio Guides: These resources, focusing on slow art appreciation, utilize sensory engagement to foster mindfulness and a sense of calm among visitors.
- Tactile Collections: The Hands-on Learning and Development (HOLD) collection features components specifically designed with tactile elements, ensuring that visually impaired and blind individuals can engage meaningfully with the art.
- Gallery Wonders Program: This program removes common barriers to entry by offering curated tours and complimentary transport. It targets individuals who are neurodivergent, elderly, or residing in nursing homes, ensuring art remains accessible to all segments of society.
Furthermore, recognizing the potential for sensory overload in busy museum environments, NGS offers a dedicated calm room. This space provides a quiet retreat where visitors can decompress and regulate their senses, ensuring a comfortable experience for those with sensitivities.
This pioneering move by the National Gallery Singapore signals a new era where cultural preservation and public health advocacy are intrinsically linked. It offers a tangible demonstration of how museums can evolve from static repositories of history to dynamic centers for community healing and well-being.
To learn more about the initiative, visit the official Healing Arts Singapore website.