Introducing Museums

Arts LFA LearnX Package: Introducing Museums (Children)

The museum¹ is a place where objects of historical, scientific, artistic, or cultural interests are stored and exhibited. That’s a lot of items and categories in one place! As such, different museums often display unique collections of items (known as artefacts²) that have been sorted and placed together based on a specific theme or area of focus. 

Artefacts are special objects made by people a long time ago. They're like clues that help us learn about how people lived in the past. They could be:

1. Tools: Like old stone axes or clay pots.
2. Jewellery: Such as necklaces or bracelets.
3. Toys: Games that children played with long ago.
4. Clothes: Or pieces of fabric from old garments.
5. Art: Paintings on cave walls or small statues. 

When archaeologists (scientists who study the past) dig in the ground, they sometimes find these old objects. By studying artefacts, we can learn about what people ate, how they dressed, what they believed in, and how they lived their daily lives. Just like how your toys and books might tell someone in the future about your life today, artefacts tell us stories about people who lived hundreds or even thousands of years ago! 

Museum curators help make museums exciting places by uncovering stories about these artefacts and arranging them into exhibits to help people understand and appreciate them. It's like they're the storytellers and guardians of the museum's treasures, making sure that the objects are conserved and shared with museum visitors. 

That is why there is a wide range of museums that we can visit! Let’s look at some museums in Singapore below: 

1) For historical objects and cultural collections: 

 

 

The National Museum of Singapore is a good place to start! Journey back in time at the Singapore History Gallery for an immersive experience of our local heritage, dating as far back as 1299. While some collections are currently undergoing a revamp, you can also look out for exciting pop-up exhibitions on fascinating local topics.

 

The Asian Civilisations Museum tells us the tales of connections between Asian countries. From decorative pieces, tools of the trade, and even ethnic costumes, the showcased artefacts highlight the rich heritage of various cultures and beliefs!

 

 

The Peranakan Museum offers a look into the Peranakan³ way of life. Experience the culture through recorded interviews, works of art, fashion, designs and crafts that express Peranakan culture from the past and present at the museum’s galleries!

 

2) For scientific observations: 

 

 

The ArtScience Museum is a place where you can see creative exhibitions about the arts, digital advancements and our future. Immerse yourself in the interactive exhibitions that bring the collections to life!

 

 

The Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum focuses on the natural world, giving us a glimpse of the various plants and animals (such as dinosaurs!) that existed in the past. Did you know that you can even take a special Zoological Reference Collection virtual tour on their website for a behind-the-scenes look at their collections?

 

 

The Gem Museum is where you can learn how precious stones are formed and where they come from. You may even take a tour of their Virtual Museum first, hosted on the Gem Museum’s website, to familiarise yourself with their exhibits!

 

3) For artistic pieces: 

 

 

The National Gallery Singapore showcases local and international artwork, with exhibitions on various artists, art techniques or the artwork’s history. It also features the Keppel Centre for Art Education, a vibrant and dynamic space that promises to inspire young learners!

 

 

The Singapore Art Museum focuses on presenting the art of today from a Southeast Asian perspective. Discover a wide variety of art forms, ranging from installations to videos, photography, paintings, sculptures, and more!