In the very heart of Singapore`s historic district, on Empress Place, stands a majestic building that became part of the nation`s formation. This is the former Parliament House, now known as The Arts House. It is not just a modern exhibition hall, but a place where fateful decisions for Singapore were made.
Architecture and History
The building known today as The Arts House has a long history, with its roots in the colonial era:
Origins (1820s): Originally, a private residence for the wealthy merchant John Argyle Maxwell was built on this site. Designed by George D. Coleman, it was one of the first buildings in Singapore constructed in the neoclassical style — with an elegant facade, symmetrical lines, and columns, symbolizing order and stability.
Status as the Supreme Court (1839-1939): In 1839, the building was purchased by the colonial authorities and became the first permanent building of the Supreme Court of Singapore. For almost a hundred years, justice was administered here, people`s fates were decided, and high-profile cases were heard.
The Parliamentary Era (1954-1999): After a large-scale reconstruction completed in 1954, the building received a new, fateful role. It became the first specially built Parliament House in Singapore. It was here in 1965 that the documents concerning Singapore`s independence were ratified, and the building became the epicenter of the political life of the young state. Members of Parliament held sessions there until 1999, when Parliament moved to a new, more spacious building.
One of the most interesting features of the building is the "Independence Scroll" — a document walled up near the entrance in 1965. It contained a copy of the Independence Act of Singapore and was opened in 2015, on the 50th anniversary of independence. After its opening, all artifacts were digitized and made available to the public. Today, they are part of the national heritage and are exhibited at the National Museum of Singapore.
The Arts House: A New Life for a Historic Monument
After Parliament moved out, the building was not turned into a museum. In 2004, after a thorough restoration, it opened its doors as The Arts House, becoming one of the key venues of Singaporean culture.
It is important to note that The Arts House, although part of the broader cultural network of the National Gallery Singapore, is a completely autonomous institution with its own unique program. Unlike the main Gallery building, which houses an extensive permanent collection of Southeast Asian art, The Arts House does not have its own permanent exhibition. Its philosophy is dynamism, dialogue, and innovation. It functions as a prestigious platform exclusively for temporary exhibitions, installations, and interdisciplinary projects.
What Visitors Can See: Art in the Halls of Power
Upon entering, visitors find themselves in a 19th-century atmosphere:
The Former Parliamentary Chamber (The Chamber): This is the heart of the building and the main exhibition space. It was in this very hall that political debates once raged. Today, under high ceilings and in the place where parliamentarians once sat, large-scale contemporary installations, video projections, and sculptures are displayed. Preserved historical furniture (for example, the Speaker`s chair) can be integrated into artistic projects.
The Committee Room: A smaller but no less significant hall where closed-door discussions were held. It now hosts intimate exhibitions, performances, and discussions.
Other Premises: The building also houses a theatre black box, a cinema hall, and an elegant restaurant. Throughout, one can see plaques explaining the historical purpose of each room.
Exhibitions at The Arts House are often experimental in nature. Here, one can see works by both young, promising artists from Singapore and the region, as well as renowned international masters. The themes of the expositions range from sharp social and political issues, which is especially symbolic within the walls of the former Parliament, to explorations of new media and technologies.
