The Arts House was opened in March 2004 as the newest arts and heritage venue. It was built in 1827, as Singapore’s First Court House and the Parliament House. The main purpose of the building was built as a house for a merchant, John Maxwell.


However, it became the Court of Law which consisted of a municipal office, the Legislative Assembly and the Parliament until 1999. This led the Arts House to be the longest surviving government building. The Arts House is also known as the only gazatted building designated as a multidisciplinary of arts centre.

This building is named as the Arts House as the management of the building wanted to retain the name “house” so as to be named as the house of the arts, just like how it was meant to house John Maxwell. Also, they want the building to remain comfortable and homely to the artist and audiences that are to visit the Arts House such that the rooms are named to give a sense of intimacy. Furthermore, different activities happening in each room will let the audience experience the vibrancy that is taking place in the Arts House.


When we take a walk down the Corridors of the house, we will be reminded of the 33 personalities in the lighted poster boards in retractable frames and a brief description of what each personality did. Also, not to forget, there is a journey of Singapore from post independent days to independent days. In addition to the photo gallery that displays finest photographers and painters works, the film gallery that has the jail bars on one side of the corridor, as a reminder that the Court of Law did lock up criminals, together with memories of the old film posters.


The most important icon found outside the Arts House is the elephant statue that was given by King Chulalongkorn of Siam (Thailand) in 1871 as it was the first foreign nation to be visited by the Siamese King. It was originally situated outside the Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall but in 1919 replaced by the statue of Sir Stamford Raffles hence it is outside the Arts House now.

Labels: Small Bronze Elephant Statue, The Arts House

posted by felinetong

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