SINGAPORE – 8 DECEMBER 2025 | The Jameel Arts & Health Lab, in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO), announced today that National Gallery Singapore has been designated as its first healing arts centre of excellence in Asia.
National Gallery Singapore is the first museum to receive this accreditation, joining prestigious cultural institutions Carnegie Hall and the Scottish Ballet.
The announcement was made at the opening event of the Jameel Arts & Health Lab’s Healing Arts Singapore campaign, a nationwide initiative that aims to improve health and wellbeing through the arts, in collaboration with the WHO and co-led by the National University of Singapore (NUS) Centre for Music and Health at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music and Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), University of the Arts Singapore (UAS).
The centre of excellence designation recognises National Gallery Singapore as an exemplar in the field of arts and health, with a history of inclusive and transformative arts and health programs. As a centre of excellence, National Gallery Singapore will champion the role of cultural institutions and artists as partners in public health and advance ambitious scientific research on the role of museums.
Dr Eugene Tan, CEO and director of National Gallery Singapore, said: “Being the first museum globally to receive this accreditation is an honour that reaffirms our belief in the role of art in everyday wellbeing. Art has the power to connect, to heal, and to help us see ourselves and one another more clearly.
"Through this recognition, we hope to inspire the wider arts community to deepen its efforts in creating spaces where creativity fosters empathy, resilience and care.”
Ong Zhen Min, director, learning, public engagement and content publishing, National Gallery Singapore, said: “This recognition reflects the Gallery’s longstanding commitment to designing person-centred, evidence-based programmes that create a holistic and welcoming museum experience.
"Our team has worked hard to understand the needs of our visitors and communities, and to develop initiatives that use art to support wellbeing, reflection and inclusion. We are encouraged to continue strengthening this work as the role of museums in the area of health and wellness continues to evolve.”
The centre of excellence accreditation was presented by the Jameel Arts & Health Lab’s global director of healing arts, Catherine Cassidy-Dedics, at a special event at National Gallery Singapore that featured remarks by:
Stephen Stapleton, co-director of the Jameel Arts & Health Lab, commented: “The Jameel Arts & Health Lab is immensely proud to partner with National Gallery Singapore on this initiative, in particular to highlight the role of art museums in supporting mental wellbeing, enhance person-centred care and strengthen resilient, inclusive health systems across the WHO Western Pacific region."
Uzma Sulaiman, associate director of Community Jameel, said: “We are very pleased to see the Jameel Arts & Health Lab further extend its global reach with the designation of its first healing arts centre of excellence in Asia.
"We look forward to the National Gallery Singapore’s contributions to expanding the evidence base for arts and health and further strengthening the Jameel Arts & Health Lab’s network of healing arts centres of excellence in Asia and beyond.”
National Gallery Singapore has long championed the role of art in fostering wellbeing and social connection.
Through initiatives such as Slow Art Guide, Art with You, the HOLD Collection and Gallery Wonders, it has continually offered mindful and inclusive experiences that encourage reflection and accessibility for diverse audiences – including persons living with dementia and their caregivers, and persons with disabilities.
Complementing these are efforts like the Calm Room, a dedicated space for rest and sensory regulation, and the Access Guide, which provides vital information on access accommodations to visitors with access needs.
Grounded in research and partnerships with organisations such as Dementia Singapore and the Agency for Integrated Care, these programmes demonstrate how the visual arts can nurture both individual and collective wellbeing.
Moving forward, the Gallery will continue to deepen its work in this area, exploring new ways for art to contribute to health, empathy and community care.
The Jameel Arts & Health Lab’s Healing Arts Singapore campaign brings together leaders and practitioners from health, culture, academia, and community sectors to drive long-term implementation of scalable, evidence-based arts interventions in Singapore and across the Western Pacific region.
Healing Arts Singapore runs from 8-12 December 2025 and features two academic symposia, policy meetings, capacity-building workshops, exhibitions, live performances and training to support national and regional policy implementation and deliver measurable impact.