Friends of the Museums FOM Singapore

31/05/2026

The week ahead with FOM; just a click away

Check out what's coming up in the week ahead!

28/05/2026

It was a wonderful Friday With Friends’ evening ✨, as cultural researcher and author Mr Ryan Kueh led the audience through the history and evolution of Singapore’s hawker centres, which today are recognised on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List 🌏. He shared how what began as a practical solution for migrant communities grew into a key part of Singapore’s national identity. Beyond offering affordable and diverse food, hawker centres are now important social spaces and symbols of everyday community life ❤️, as well as occasional political touchpoints where leaders connect with ordinary Singaporeans.

Mr Kueh further shared how modern concepts are reshaping some hawker stalls 🍽️, while younger Singaporeans continue to consider how they can carry this important tradition forward.

📷 credit: Alpana Singh & Riya Narula

27/05/2026

© IHC, Singapore

Come and join Tang Siew Ngoh on a guided journey through the Indian Heritage Centre that uncovers how Indian Christians’ faith helped shape Singapore’s heart and soul—from early churches and mission schools to social services, healthcare and the performing arts. Encounter evocative artefacts and meet pioneering individuals and families whose legacies still resonate today.

📆 29 May, 11am

26/05/2026

Yesterday's MML-Sacred at the Margins: Keramat Graves and Chinese Roadside Shrines in Urban Singapore - explored how informal sacred spaces persist and adapt within Singapore’s urban landscape. Faisal Husni examined keramat graves as evolving sites of veneration tied to Malay-Muslim heritage, while Dr. Lin Chia Tsun discussed Chinese roadside shrines and their connections to migration, community, and local spiritual practices.The talk highlighted how these sacred spaces reflect Singapore’s multicultural and multi-religious heritage. Thank you to Dr Chia-Tsun and Faisal for this wonderful talk.

25/05/2026

Earlier this month, the URA/FOM Chinatown Heritage Trails docents had a double celebration 🎉🏮 — 10 years of the Chinatown Docent Training Programme and the graduation of our 2026 docent cohort 🎓.

Special guests Kelvin Ang and Mrs. Teh Lai Yip recognised our pioneer docents for their long service 👏, and presented our newly minted docents with their graduation certificates.

Congratulations to URA Docent Training and to our new guides who have joined our wonderful docent community 🌟

21/05/2026

Join us this evening as Ryan Kueh talks us through Singapore's hawker culture 🍜. It's more than just food - it is a product of history, policy, and identity. From informal street trade to regulated hawker centres, its evolution reflects broader socioeconomic and political priorities 📜🏙️. Today, hawker centres serve as community spaces that sustain affordability, multicultural exchange, and grassroots engagement 🤝🌏. Yet, the system faces new challenges as younger generations redefine hawking as both heritage and vocation 👩‍🍳✨. This talk explores how food operates as a lens into governance, culture, and nation-building, and considers what it will take to sustain this uniquely Singaporean institution in the future 🍽️🏮.

✨ About Friday with Friends — FOM's FwF evening talks offer fascinating insights into diverse topics. FwF is organised with support from the Asian Civilisations Museum. The talks are free and open to the public.

🔗 For more details, please visit https://www.fom.sg/public-events-page...

19/05/2026

Great turnout at Tuesday’s Public Information Meeting — FOM’s flagship event for learning more about our guiding programmes! 🎉 We were thrilled to see so many enthusiastic attendees interested in guiding at Singapore’s museums and heritage trails 🏛️🚶‍♀️

Interested in becoming a guide for our 2026/27 programmes? Register your interest via our website and start your journey with us today ✨

https://www.fom.sg/docent-training-page?id=UeruE09GrMoRmx92RiUNBw%253D%253D

18/05/2026

This Monday, Paul Bromberg delivered a fascinating MML on later Chinese bronzes created for the scholar’s studio 🏺, exploring their artistic beauty, practical function, and cultural significance. Drawing from museum examples and his personal collection, he shared insights on dating pieces and identifying reproductions 🔍. The talk also highlighted themes from his new book on collecting Chinese later bronzes, offering MML attendees a deeper appreciation of collecting practices.

The talk was followed by an engaging Q & A 💬 — many thanks to Paul for the wonderful lecture 👏

17/05/2026

We hope you’ve enjoyed our FOM friendship stories! 💛
Every friendship began through our docent training programmes which train people to guide many of Singapore's museums!

Why not join our next docent training programme?
Gain new skills, meet like-minded people, and find lifelong friends along the way.

Come and learn more at tomorrow’s public information meeting:
🕙 Tuesday, May 19th, 10am
📍 NMS

We’d love to see you there! ✨