The Arts House
The Arts House
4
About
Occupying the almost 200-year-old building that was Singapore's first Parliament House, The Arts House has played an active role in the Singapore arts and creative scene for the past decade. As a centre for writing, writers and ideas, The Arts House supports and presents programmes and festivals that aim to develop and promote literary arts in Singapore.
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: City Hall
How to get there
- Raffles Place • 7 min walk
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.0
66 reviews
Excellent
16
Very good
26
Average
22
Poor
2
Terrible
0
Aliff Daniel
Singapore, Singapore50 contributions
Sep 2021 • Friends
The Art House itself was really incredible. It really is beautiful inside and out! I’m a heritage structure enthusiast so it was really mind-blowing for me.
Every corner and stairs of the building really amazed me. The high ceilings, the interior design of the building itself is really phenomenal. The building was built in 1827 and was used as the parliament house until 1999. The Art House is prolly the oldest surviving building in Singapore to date.
The chamber is beautiful too. Everything was perfectly conserved and completed with the original upholstery from 1954. Above photo was taken from their official website.
Once inside, we were ushered to our seats. While the seats were chosen upon booking, you can actually choose your preferred seats when you’re there according to your zone. I prolly was sitting on the second highest row? Whenever I go to concerts, be it an orchestra or a normal typical concert, I’d usually choose a seat from the higher rows! Not only the sound quality is better but also you can view the entire production as a whole.
Specially for the candlelight concert, hundreds of candles were lighted all around the chamber. Definitely, giving off that soothing and calm ambience. Just the perfect venue for a romantic, relaxing string-quartet music.
Full review is on my blog, link is on my TripAdvisor profile!
Every corner and stairs of the building really amazed me. The high ceilings, the interior design of the building itself is really phenomenal. The building was built in 1827 and was used as the parliament house until 1999. The Art House is prolly the oldest surviving building in Singapore to date.
The chamber is beautiful too. Everything was perfectly conserved and completed with the original upholstery from 1954. Above photo was taken from their official website.
Once inside, we were ushered to our seats. While the seats were chosen upon booking, you can actually choose your preferred seats when you’re there according to your zone. I prolly was sitting on the second highest row? Whenever I go to concerts, be it an orchestra or a normal typical concert, I’d usually choose a seat from the higher rows! Not only the sound quality is better but also you can view the entire production as a whole.
Specially for the candlelight concert, hundreds of candles were lighted all around the chamber. Definitely, giving off that soothing and calm ambience. Just the perfect venue for a romantic, relaxing string-quartet music.
Full review is on my blog, link is on my TripAdvisor profile!
Written 15 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nigel G
Singapore, Singapore8,593 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
The Arts House was the former Parliament Building of Singapore. It is a building steeped in history in its own right and well worth a visit. During the Singapore Art Week the chamber became more colourful than ever it has in its history based on a fabric exhibition entitled Justice for All. The exhibition was organised by the celebrated British-Nigerian artist Yinka Shinabare RA. A truly stunning exhibition which was well worth a visit.
The lower floor held Marjorie Doggett’s Singapore photography exhibition. A genius with large frame photography long before the digital era.
The exhibition is over now but there are ongoing events here. Even without art events the building is worth looking at alone.
The lower floor held Marjorie Doggett’s Singapore photography exhibition. A genius with large frame photography long before the digital era.
The exhibition is over now but there are ongoing events here. Even without art events the building is worth looking at alone.
Written 3 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reyan11
Kaithal, India124 contributions
Dec 2018 • Friends
Venue plays host to concerts and art performances. It is the oldest surviving government building. Enjoyed the performance
Written 8 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Neil L
Edinburgh, UK645 contributions
Jul 2019 • Solo
This is historic building now used as an arts venue. During the day it is open and free and usually not busy. I had the place to myself (with security guard). It only a few minutes to look round. It's right beside Raffles' landing point and statue.
Written 5 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RBFerg
7 contributions
Jan 2019 • Couples
This was a building I would have missed. Went inside the arts house with a free walking tour company, and was really glad I did. This is a building that had really witnessed singapore's history. the parliamentary chamber, in particular made me choked with emotions when i hear about the development of singapore over the last 50+ years. selfie opportunities with the chair of the first prime minister of singapore was a bonus
Written 11 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
yuqian
Singapore, Singapore55 contributions
Nov 2018 • Friends
On its own it's just a quiet colonial building with really well-maintained facilities, lovely architecture. But they always have events going on - can check out their website or get the hardcopy of their monthly events brochure to find out what's going on. Great way to involve yourself in the arts scene in Singapore!
Written 28 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mazmannan
Basingstoke, UK9,298 contributions
Apr 2018 • Family
The Art House at the Old Parliament is a very beautiful building. It is full of history.
It reminds you of the old colonial splendour that once graced Singapore.
Entrance is free and you can go in and see the parliament as it was. I saw the seat of the First Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. You can almost hear the members of parliament debating many topics.
The Art House hosts various exhibitions.
I would recommend a visit.
It reminds you of the old colonial splendour that once graced Singapore.
Entrance is free and you can go in and see the parliament as it was. I saw the seat of the First Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. You can almost hear the members of parliament debating many topics.
The Art House hosts various exhibitions.
I would recommend a visit.
Written 30 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Www
Singapore, Singapore879 contributions
Sep 2018 • Family
Went to see the World Vision - Hope Painting Exhibitions. The paintings were done by kids between 5 to 12yo and it was auction during a charity even to raise money for the World Vision to save kids living in poor conditions due to war. It is a small exhibition but very meaningful.
The Art House itself has a distinctive design and history to visit and explore.
The Art House itself has a distinctive design and history to visit and explore.
Written 4 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Smiley0413
Singapore, null, Singapore21 contributions
Oct 2017 • Family
Visited the wonderful Arts House Exhibition with family, kids, friends and colleagues. Took a short walk down the Ancient British Colonel Buildings breezy and cooling evening, 5mins away from City Hall. Great night catching up with old friends for a sumptuous dinner and drinks.
Written 6 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CraigM88
London, UK164 contributions
Sep 2017 • Solo
I really liked this building. It's free to go in and mooch around and there are informational placards around on the first floor explaining about Singapore's history and the various events which took place in the building. It housed some important parliamentary chambers and offices, so it brings the history to life a bit. There are also occasional exhibitions on for short periods of time, so make sure to have a look at them as they can be of contemporary Singaporean artists that you won't see elsewhere.
Written 27 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Claim your listingTHE ARTS HOUSE: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about The Arts House
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience The Arts House:
- Private City Kickstart Tour: Singapore (From S$69.87)
- Singapore City Bike Tour (From S$143.70)
- Private Tour: Empress Place Walking Tour (From S$10.27)
- Singapore's Food, Marina Bay & Capitol Building Walking Tour (From S$15.48)
- Singapore Finding A Founder Trail (From S$25.65)
- Hotels near The Arts House:
- (0.32 km) The Fullerton Hotel Singapore
- (0.43 km) Grand Park City Hall
- (0.25 km) 5footway.inn Project Boat Quay
- (0.30 km) BEAT. Capsules
- (0.32 km) Quarters Hostel
- Restaurants near The Arts House:
- (0.02 km) Brasserie Astoria, Singapore
- (0.03 km) Viet Lang @ the Arts House
- (0.05 km) Tribe
- (0.05 km) Sinfonia Ristorante
- (0.10 km) Odette