Culture 101

Collecting Art

Why do people collect? This talk explores the reasons that motivate individuals and institutions such as museums to collect, and the approaches they take, in forming a collection.

Tracing Roots:
How to Draw Indian Family Trees

The talk will touch on the importance and significance of knowing your genealogy in Indian culture. It will also cover the correct way of addressing Indian family members and relatives according to paternal and maternal lines. The speaker will also share her personal experience in tracing her family's genealogy, covering her search in Singapore and India and why she embarked on the project. She will also share some interesting experiences as well as challenges faced during the project.

Art Appreciation 101:
Understanding the History of Indian Paintings

This talk will explain the origins and development of Indian paintings. It will examine the history of paintings from early rock art to the Buddhist cave paintings of Ajanta; courtly miniature traditions, provincial schools and the arrival of European oil paintings. Come discover the long-standing tradition of Indian paintings.

Tracing Roots:
How to Draw Chinese Family Trees

This talk will be in presented in two parts. Mr Chen's talk (in English) will touch on the importance of genealogy in Chinese families and society. It will also cover the correct way of addressing family members and relatives according to paternal and maternal lines. In addition, he will trace briefly the history of the Hakka immigrants to the region, especially Singapore. Mr Leong's talk (in Mandarin) will have him share his own personal experience in tracing more than 20 generations of his family in Singapore and China.

Art Appreciation 101:
A Beginner's Journey to Understanding Southeast Asian Art

Southeast Asia is a region of diverse cultures, languages, religions, customs and states of development. Its artists and the artworks they produce are equally eclectic and wide-ranging. This talk will cover some of the broad themes and concerns of Southeast Asian artists using key works from the Singapore Art Museum collection as illustrations. A short guided tour of the museum's permanent collection will follow after the talk.

Tracing Roots:
Eurasian Singaporeans, their Roots and Family Trees

The talk will cover the history of the Eurasian Community in Singapore and examine some of the family names, their origins and links to the region. The talk will also cover the resources available today for family historians, how to get their own family research going and some of the limitations and challenges faced.

Conservation DIY:
How to Care for your Keepsakes

Do you have treasures at home? Find out how to handle and store your old photographs, wedding gown, family heirloom or favourite childhood toys for posterity!

This programme comprises two parts: an interactive workshop and a tour of the Heritage Conservation Centre (HCC). The workshop will introduce participants to simple and inexpensive tips on caring for items around the house such as photographs, clothes, books and other common objects. The workshop will be followed by a short tour of HCC to showcase how the National Heritage Board maintains and stores the nation's treasures for future generations.

Art Appreciation 101:
Understanding Islamic Art

This talk will provide a basic introduction to the art of the Islamic world. Discover the art of calligraphy, ceramics, metalwork and architecture with the help of images which will take you on a world-wind tour of the Islamic world and its history.

Art Appreciation 101:
Introduction to Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy

This talk will provide a basic introduction to Chinese painting and calligraphy. Discover how such works of art are created and the background to some of the most well-known names and works in Chinese art history.

Taping Memories

How many times have you ever attended a family member's wedding or funeral, and discovered relatives you never knew about? Have you ever thought of tracing your family tree but don't know how to go about doing it? Well, your family members are a great resource, and all you need to do is to ask them!

If you would like to equip yourself with more skills to document oral history, make sure you attend this workshop which will teach one how to go about documenting one's family history through asking questions.

Art Appreciation 101:
Introduction to Art Appreciation

The talk will focus on how to appreciate art found in the museums. Participants will be using art works from the Singapore Art Museum permanent collection to explore ways of 'looking at art'. The gallery tour, which follows the talk, will provide some starting points for participants who want to make the most of the museum as a place where they discover about the world of art, in the presence of compelling art objects that offer multi-sensory aesthetic experiences.