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10 behind-the-scenes heroes who keep the Gallery going
Every visit to the Gallery is a feast for the senses: striking exhibitions, awe-inducing architecture, and moments of quiet reflection. But behind the art and atmosphere is a powerhouse team making it all happen.

They are the behind-the-scenes heroes you don’t always get to see on your social feed – but we’ve rounded them up so you can take a peek into what they do.
A docent stands in front of a painting explaining the painting's story to a small group of visitors
Docents
Giving tours is only the beginning; these storytellers open your minds to whole new worlds. Our docents are passionate, trained volunteers who bring artworks to life.

Through their deep knowledge and insightful storytelling, they help visitors see, feel, and think more about art, transforming every visit into an enriching experience.
A uniformed security officer interacting with a visitor
Security Officers
Part guardian, part guide, our security officers protect both people and priceless art. Whether it is gently reminding you not to touch artworks or responding to a real emergency, they keep the Gallery safe and serene.
A front-of-house staff member at the Visitor Services counter assists a guest at the Padang Atrium
Front-of-House Staff
The first smile, the helpful answer, the smooth ticketing assistance – that’s our front-of-house team. They make sure your day at the Gallery starts (and ends) on the right note.
A curator leads a tour in a gallery, speaking to a group of visitors standing in front of framed artworks on the wall
Curators
Ever wonder how exhibitions come together? Curators put exhibitions together by digging deep into research, shaping compelling narratives and selecting artworks that present stories about Singapore and Southeast Asian art.

Their work creates conversations and contributes to our cultural understanding around regional art history.
Four art handlers wearing gloves carefully replace a framed painting on the wall
Art Handlers
No magic levitation here – just pure precision. Our art handlers are the quiet professionals who move and install artworks with expert care.

They work closely with our conservators and curators to ensure that every sculpture and frame is placed to perfection and according to conservation standards.
An educator holds up a colour wheel, asking questions to a small group of seated children
Educators
Art is for everyone, and our educators make sure of it.

From educational workshops and interactive tours to family-friendly activities, they turn the Gallery into a playground of ideas and discovery for learners of all ages.
A conservator lies on a padded mat as she delicately restores a large Chinese ink painting of monkeys on tree branches, with a paint palette placed nearby
Conservators
Paint flakes. Paper yellows. Time takes its toll – unless our conservators step in. With scientific know-how and artistic sensitivity, they protect and preserve artworks for future generations to enjoy them too.
A group of performers in vibrant costumes dance energetically in the Gallery’s atrium, with an audience watching in the background
Programmers
Talks, tours, festivals, film screenings... our programmers dream it all up. Their mission? To keep the Gallery buzzing with energy and open to all kinds of conversations around art and culture.
Two exhibition designers placing purple carpeting and taping floor markings for the Tropical exhibition, surrounded by framed artworks
Exhibition Designers
They map and plan every inch of the rooms you step in. Our exhibition designers set the stage, interior layout, and presentation of exhibitions.

They collaborate closely with curators and art handlers to create the best experience for when you move through each gallery space.
A visitor browses a well-lit library room filled with bookshelves and archival materials
Librarians & Archivists
Tucked behind the scenes is a treasure trove of books, archival materials, and institutional records.

Our librarians and archivists manage these resources to support research and ensure that the Gallery’s stories (and Southeast Asia’s) are preserved and ready for the curious.