News Releases
Istana Open House on 2 August 2015
30 July 2015
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The Istana grounds will be open to the public on Sunday, 2 August 2015, from 8.30am to 6.00pm, in celebration of National Day.
Istana Art Event
The main feature of this Open House is the Istana Art Event, an annual community outreach programme organised by the Singapore Art Museum. It seeks to cultivate a greater appreciation of the arts and our national heritage by encouraging families and children to commemorate our nation’s independence through arts and cultural activities within the Istana grounds. The Istana Art Event is anchored by the Arts and Heritage Village and the popular On-the-Spot Art Competition, themed “Once Upon This Island”.
Some of the highlights at the Arts and Heritage Village include various hands-on activities and programmes by Singapore’s museums and heritage institutions such as the HDB Life interactive artwork activity by the Singapore Art Museum and the National Language Class skits by the National Gallery Singapore. For more information, refer to Annex A or visit www.singaporeartmuseum.sg/IAE.
Programme Highlights
Visitors can enjoy various entertainment items and activities including performances by the SAF Music and Drama Company, Compassvale Secondary School Military Band, Bendemeer Primary School Concert Band, and balloon sculpting by SingTel Recreation Club. The full programme line-up is listed in Annex B.
Members of the public can also choose to sign up for the Nature Guided Walk at the Istana, a collaboration between the President’s Office and the National Parks Board (NParks) which will showcase the Istana’s flora, fauna and biodiversity, including the latest Spice Garden and the Vanda Miss Joaquim. Visitors can also take a guided tour of the Istana main building led by volunteers from the Preservation of Sites and Monuments division of the National Heritage Board and view selected function rooms and display of gifts presented to the President and the Prime Minister by foreign dignitaries.
Alternatively, there is also a self-guided tour with the help of the “Istana Garden Walk” mobile application, which has been enhanced with several new features including a self-guided Plants Trail to discover 10 types of beautiful in the Istana Gardens and maps for Places of Interest and Plants Trails.
Admission Details
Entry to the Istana grounds is free for Singaporeans and Singapore permanent residents. All others visitors are required to pay an entrance fee of $2 per person. Entry to the Istana grounds is via the main gate at Orchard Road. The nearest MRT station is Dhoby Ghaut.
Additional fees as specified in Annexes C and D will be applied for the guided tours. Istana souvenirs will also be on sale during the Open House. Proceeds from the sale of souvenirs and all entrance fees collected will be donated to charity.
Members of the public are to note that the last entry to the Istana Ground for the Open House will be at 5 pm. The last sign up for the Istana Main Building Guided Tour by National Heritage Board will be by 2 pm and that for the Nature Guided Walk organised by NParks by 3 pm respectively.
PRESIDENT’S OFFICE
30 JULY 2015
ANNEX A
Istana Art Event 2015
The Istana Art Event is an annual community outreach programme organised by the Singapore Art Museum in conjunction with the Istana National Day Open House. It seeks to cultivate a greater appreciation of the arts and our national heritage by encouraging families and children to commemorate our nation’s independence through arts and cultural activities within the Istana grounds. The 2015 edition of Istana Art Event aims to enrich the community’s creativity, passion for the arts and appreciation for Singapore’s heritage.
On-The-Spot-Art Competition
Theme: Once Upon This Island
Time: 10am – 3pm (Announcement of winners at 4pm, and the prize presentation at 4.40pm)
Venue: Main Tent & Villa
Categories: Junior Category [Ages 3 to 6]
Intermediate Category [Ages 7 to 12]
We invite all children, aged between 3 to 12 years*, to join the On-The-Spot Art Competition. This year’s theme is Once Upon This Island, in celebration of the nation’s Golden Jubilee. Tell colourful stories of Singapore through your drawings, and share with us what makes Singapore special for you and why you love our little island.
Don’t forget to bring your own colouring materials! The first 2,000 participants to submit their artwork will receive an exclusive Istana Art Event goodie bag and enjoy free entry to the Istana Main Building. The top 3 winners will receive book prizes.
Prizes
Table caption
1st | $200 |
|---|---|
2nd | $150 |
3rd | $100 |
Merit x 6 | $80 |
Note:
* Ages as at 1 January 2015
- Only drawing paper with the official Istana Art Event stamp will be accepted for the On-The-Spot Art Competition.
- Colouring materials will not be provided. Participants are required to bring their own colouring materials.
- The judges’ decisions are final. All winners must be present at the Prize Presentation Ceremony to receive their prizes.
Arts & Heritage Village
Time: 9am – 5pm
Explore the Arts & Heritage Village, which boasts exciting hands-on art activities at 11 different stations organised by Singapore’s museums and heritage institutions. Create a variety of Istana Art Event souvenirs to bring home with you.
An on-site booth will also be giving away free instant prints when you upload your photographs to Instagram and use the hashtag #IstanaArtEvent.
ANNEX B
HIGHLIGHTS FOR NATIONAL DAY OPEN HOUSE, SUNDAY, 2 AUGUST 2015
Table caption
Time | Activity | Venue |
|---|---|---|
8.30 a.m. – 5.30 p.m. | Balloon Sculpturing by SingTel Recreation Club | Main Tent |
8.30 a.m. – 5.30 p.m. | Sales of Istana Merchandise and drinks by NCSS | Centre Gate |
8.30 a.m. – 5.30 p.m. | Istana Garden Walk Mobile Phone Application Booth by NParks | Centre Gate |
8.30 a.m. – 5.30 p.m. | Istana Main Building Self-Guided Tour | Ticketing Booth near Ceremonial Plaza |
9.00 a.m. – 3.00 p.m. | Istana Main Building Guided Tour by National Heritage Board | Ticketing Booth near Ceremonial Plaza |
9.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m. | Opening of Arts and Heritage Village (AHV) | Centre Gate |
9.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. | National Language Class Skits (Hourly) | AHV |
10.00 a.m. – 11.00 a.m. | Performance by Compassvale Secondary School Military Band | Main Tent |
10.00 a.m. – 3.00 p.m. | On-The-Sport Art Competition | Villa |
10.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. | Nature Guided Walk organised by NParks | Ticketing Booth near Ceremonial Plaza |
2.30 p.m. – 3.30 p.m. | Performance by Bendemeer Primary School Concert Band | Main Tent |
3.00 p.m. – 4.10 p.m. | Performance by NTUC Club nEbO Music Talents | Main Porch |
3.45 p.m. – 4.45 p.m. | Performance by SAF Music and Drama Company | Main Tent |
4.00 p.m. | On-The-Sport Art Competition (Announcement of Winners) | Main Tent |
4.45 p.m. | On-The-Sport Art Competition (Prize Presentation Ceremony) | Main Tent |
ANNEX C
FEES FOR ENTRANCE INTO THE ISTANA MAIN BUILDING
The following fees are applicable for the tours of the state room, banquet hall and reception room in the Istana main building:
Table caption
Singaporeans and Permanent Residents | Unguided | Guided* |
|---|---|---|
Children (4 to 12 years) | $2.00 | $2.00 |
Adult | $4.00 | |
Package for family of four | Not applicable | $12.00 |
Others | ||
Children( 4 to 12 years) | $2.00 | $2.00 |
Adult | $4.00 | $10.00 |
Package for family of four | Not applicable | $30.00 |
* ISTANA MAIN BUILDING GUIDED TOURS
Guided tours are conducted by volunteers from the Preservation of Sites and
Monuments division of the National Heritage Board. The tours are limited to 15 persons per group, and depart every 20 minutes from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm. All fees collected will be donated to charity. For more information, visit the National Heritage Board website.
ANNEX D
FEES FOR NATURE GUIDED WALK AT THE ISTANA
The following fees are applicable for the Nature Guided Walk at the Istana:
Table caption
Singaporeans and Permanent Residents | Guided* |
|---|---|
Children (4 to 12 years) | $2.00 |
Adult | $4.00 |
Package for family of four | $12.00 |
Others | |
Children( 4 to 12 years) | $2.00 |
Adult | $10.00 |
Package for family of four | $30.00 |
* Guided tours are conducted by volunteers and are limited to between 12 to 15 persons per group, and depart every hour from 10.00am to 4.00pm. All fees collected will be donated to charity.