Five Galleries Depart Singapore's Gillman Barracks Art Hub
Hey, so I just heard that five galleries are leaving the Gillman Barracks art center in Singapore, which gets support from the government. The galleries—The Drawing Room, Equator Art Projects, Space Cottonseed, Tomio Koyama Gallery, and Silverlens—decided not to renew their leases. This place, which opened in 2012 in an old British army base, has 17 galleries total. Some that are sticking around have renewed their leases, saying it needs more time to draw in visitors and build its image. People have pointed out issues like low visitor numbers, tough access, and not enough dining options. There have also been earlier problems with signage that have contributed to these challenges.
Key facts
- Five galleries are leaving Gillman Barracks: The Drawing Room, Equator Art Projects, Space Cottonseed, Tomio Koyama Gallery, and Silverlens.
- Gillman Barracks opened in 2012 in a former British army barracks.
- The art hub is government-backed and contains 17 galleries in total.
- The Straits Times reported the gallery departures.
- Some galleries have renewed their leases, believing the area needs more time to build visitors and reputation.
- Critics cite lack of expected footfall and sales as reasons for the departures.
- Accessibility issues and a lack of refreshment outlets were mentioned as problems.
- Initial lack of signage was also a criticism.
Entities
Institutions
- The Drawing Room
- Equator Art Projects
- Space Cottonseed
- Tomio Koyama Gallery
- Silverlens
- Straits Times
- Gillman Barracks
Locations
- Singapore