What: Back for the sixth time, Singapore’s flagship art fair will house 143 gallery booths hailing from nearby cities in Southeast Asia to Australia, the US, South America and even Saudi Arabia. Whether you’re interested in buying or just want to look, it’s a great chance to check out some of the best regional emerging and established artists (previous years have included big name international artists like Takashi Murakami, Roy Lichtenstein, Tracey Emin and Yayoi Kusama). Look out for artworks in the public areas and make sure you pay a visit to the tent of works by famous Dada artists like Marcel Duchamp and Jean Arp.

When: Jan 21 – 24, Marina Bay Sands

Prices: $32 for a standard ticket, $64 for a 4-day pass, $88 for entry to the vernissage ( a preview which takes place on Jan 20). Buy tickets here.

What: A new art fair to Singapore (until now there’s only been Art Stage and the smaller Affordable Art Fair in that takes place in April). While industry insiders initially questioned whether there was room for another fair in the Singapore art market, the inaugural Singapore Contemporary aims to plug the gap for mid-tier artworks (with the bulk of work selling between the $20,000 to $50,000 mark). We’re looking forward to the special project, “China Encounters,” which presents artworks from some of the best galleries across China.

When: Jan 21 – 24, Suntec Exhibition and Convention Centre

Prices: $30 for a one day pass, $54 for a 3-day pass (the vernissage is by invitation only). Buy tickets here.

Image: Andy Warhol, Mao95, Screenprint, 91.5 x 91.5 cm

What: Grab a drink and a bite to eat before wandering through the Gillman Barracks‘ art galleries at this late night event. While Art After Dark is on every month, in January all the galleries, from local art spaces like Yeo Workshop to international ones like Pearl Lam Galleries, Mizuma and Arndt Gallery will be putting on fantastic exhibitions, taking advantage of the influx of visitors for the fairs. Expect live music acts, F&B pop-ups and an after-party till late at the Red Baron too.

Also on throughout the month at Gillman Barracks are the exhibitions “They Come to Us Without A Word” by pioneering US artist Joan Jonas at the NTU Centre for Contemporary Art and an exhibition of Andy Warhol polaroids – the largest private collection in Asia.

When: Jan 22, 7pm-11pm, Gillman Barracks (9 Lock Road)

Prices: Admission is free.

What: Now in its third year, top Asian artists are recognised in each of these five categories: Digital/video, installation, painting, photography, and sculpture. The one who takes home the biggest prize – Best Emerging Artist, to be announced on Jan 19 – wins $USD30,000 and a solo show at London’s prestigious Saatchi Gallery. Check out the 15 finalists’ works in an exhibition at the ArtScience Museum. Read more about the artists here.

When: Jan 16 – Mar 27, ArtScience Museum (6 Bayfront Avenue)

Prices: $13 for a standard ticket ($9 for Singapore residents). Admission to the award event is free, register here.

Image: Sutthirat Supaparinya, When Need Moves The Earth, 2014, Video Installation: 3-channel video, dimensions Variable.
Like this? See photos of Coco Chanel, Audrey Hepburn and more iconic figures in this upcoming photo exhibition.

What: A multidisciplinary art festival in Little India with works by students from Lasalle College of the Arts as well as other established art groups in Singapore. Expect visual artworks, film screenings, music performances and a video projection all happening outdoors and around the cultural precinct. Don’t miss the mural along Belilios Lane that explores the traditional trades of the area.

When: Jan 19 – 23

Prices: Admission is free.

Image: One of the works from the inaugural edition in 2015.