SANTAI: IN PROGRESS

11am – 7pm | Supreme Court Wing, Level 4M, Supreme Court Terrace

SANTAI Rhythm brings live music and performances into the Gallery, creating a vibrant focal point that invites audiences to gather, pause, and experience the Gallery in a different way.

Featuring local musicians and performance groups, each performance is developed as a contemporary response to themes, stories, and artworks from the Gallery’s Southeast Asia collection. Through rhythm, movement, and sound, artists explore ideas of identity, cultural exchange, memory, and community, demonstrating how artistic traditions continue to evolve across the region.

Featured Activities:

• DJ Hiddy & DJ Itch, in collaboration with GrooveTop
  12–2pm | 3.30–5pm | 6.30–7pm
  Tune in to a vibrant mix of sounds from across Southeast Asia with DJ Hiddy and DJ Itch, in collaboration with Groovetop. From laid-back grooves to beats that get you moving, enjoy an eclectic soundtrack throughout the day, in between live performances. 
• Sabda Alam: Amidst Chaos, Harmony 
  2.30–3.15pm
  Inspired by artworks in the Southeast Asia Gallery, Alunan Kampung Gelam musicians and guest vocalists present stories and songs from across Southeast Asia. Featuring Almira Farid (vocals and guitar), Azura Farid (vocals), Thaddeus Chung (violin and vocals), Wong Yong En (vocals), and Loh Kok Jin (vocals and violin), the performance reflects on untold women's stories, and our relationship with Mother Earth and the Divine Feminine. Through these stories and songs, audiences are invited to consider how we might transcend the brokenness of these relationships and begin the process of healing both the land and ourselves. 
• Joget Dangkung by Orang Laut SG
  5.30–6.30pm
  Celebrate the spirit of togetherness in this lively and vibrant Joget Dangkung–a communal dance that is a shared coastal communal dance practiced amongst Singapore's Southern Islands and the Riau Archipelago. Join community members and dance along to the rhythms of live music in this joyful celebration of shared heritage and community spirit. 

11am – 7 pm | Supreme Court Wing, Level 4M, Supreme Court Terrace

The SANTAI Social Circle is a participatory creative space where audiences can drop in throughout the day to draw, make, and contribute to collective creative activities.

Join local creative community Krafers' Paradise for Draw & Trade, an open invitation to create and exchange original Trading Cards. These pocket-sized artworks are created on standard 2.5 x 3.5-inch cards and are traded or swapped rather than sold, encouraging participants to connect through creativity and shared artistic expression.

Basic drawing materials will be provided, and participants are welcome to bring their own favourite art supplies. Together, each contribution becomes part of an ongoing celebration of creativity, community and artistic exchange.

Featured Activities:

• Draw & Trade by Krafers' Paradise: Create your own Trading Card artwork and exchange it with fellow participants. Basic materials are provided and participants are welcome to bring their own art supplies. This activity is held throughout the day!
• Kolektif: Come hang with us for some SEA board games, chill activities, colouring sheets you can add to our growing display, and generally good vibes.  Curious about what Kolektif does? Wondering how you can be part of the crew? Come say hi, play a game, make something, or just chill with us.
• Read, Swap, Repeat: Need a little quiet recharge after all the activites? Take  a little reading break! Swap a well-loved book for a new read, or simply hang out, unwind and get lost in a good story. Whether coming with a book to share or just looking for a quiet moment, there’s always room for one more reader at our cosy reading corner. 

11am – 7pm | Supreme Court Wing, Level 4M, Supreme Court Terrace

SANTAI Market is a community makers' market bringing together illustrators, artists, craftspeople, publishers and independent makers in a shared creative space.

In collaboration with more than 10 independent artists, makers and creative businesses from Singapore, the market offers visitors an opportunity to discover original artworks, prints, publications, handmade crafts, ceramics, jewellery and other creative products while meeting the people behind the work. Connect with artists and makers, learn about their practices, and support local creative communities!

Featuring works by:

• JOYRU: Illustrator and author Jie Ru Lim debuted her book, How Far is the Sun, this year. She brings along the whimsical world of Red the horse through postcards, sticker sheets and accessories. 
• Another Clayist: Contemporary and playful clay pieces that combines design, colours and forms.
• Hungry Traveller Vintage: A unique bookstore featuring vintage, antiquarian, and rare prints featuring food, culinary history, and travel adventure in the region.
• And more!

Don’t miss a free cup of drink on us by Mad Coffee Roaster with their hit coffee selection to yummy cold treats! While stocks last. 

4–7pm | Various locations around National Gallery Singapore

Sketch Chapter returns as part of SANTAI: IN PROGRESS, inviting participants to explore the Gallery through drawing in our signature indoor–outdoor sketching experience.

Whether you're joining the First Marks or Collective tier, you'll have the opportunity to sketch alongside a growing community of artists and enthusiasts. As part of this special edition, participants are also invited to display selected works on or along the SANTAI Social Wall, contributing to a collective showcase of creativity in progress.

For more information on Sketch Chapter, registration and participation, please visit the Sketch Chapter programme page.