Arts House Group Programmes for Jan to Mar 2026

Images courtesy of Arts House Group

VERSE 2026

About VERSE

From 9 to 31 Jan, VERSE 2026 transforms The Arts House at the Old Parliament into a multi-sensory literary playground where words intertwine with sound, movement and visual art in unexpected ways.

Held in conjunction with Light to Night Singapore and Singapore Art Week, the festival invites audiences to explore literature through interactive installations, hands-on activities and immersive performances. Highlights include Brumblings, an outdoor literary and light installation inspired by visual poetry; Pass the Mic, a performance-sharing conversation series pairing writers and musicians; and theatre experiences such as Neural Echoes: Enter the Sleep Lab and Cherita Hantu: Quwwa.

Visitors can also browse curated reads at Read on the Go with NLB, discover new titles at The Corner Bookshop and enjoy exhibitions spotlighting diverse artistic voices such as A View of Things to Come and Turning Points 3.

For more info, visit: https://artshousegroup.sg/verse-2026

Images courtesy of Arts House Group

Aliwal Urban Arts Festival (AUAF) 2026

About Aliwal Urban Arts Festival (AUAF)

On 31 Jan 2026, Aliwal Urban Arts Festival (AUAF) returns to Kampong Gelam with Symbiosis—a theme celebrating the fusion of urban arts, music, dance and skate culture. Audiences can look forward to live graffiti painting, art installations, an arts market, high-energy music and dance, and skateboarding action in the Aliwal Carpark.

The festival’s signature showcase, Heart Chamber—curated by street art collective RSCLS—will transform the Aliwal Arts Centre’s corridors into an immersive journey of sound, light, and digital art. Launched a week ahead of the festival, this experience guides visitors through painted motifs,

animated projections, and rhythmic light displays, culminating in open studios where they can meet the creative minds behind the works. AUAF 2026 also partners with organisations supporting underserved communities such as Glyph Community and the Singapore Association for the Deaf, championing accessibility and inclusivity in urban culture.

Whether you’re drawn to urban arts and live beats, or simply crave for a one-of-a-kind weekend experience, AUAF 2026 is the place to be.

For more info, visit https://artshousegroup.sg/aac-auaf-2026.

Images courtesy of Arts House Group

Sketch Up 2026

Singapore’s signature outdoor mass sketching event, Sketch Up, returns on 24 Jan 2026, inviting artists, enthusiasts and the public to rediscover the Civic District through the art of urban sketching.

As part of ongoing placemaking efforts in the district, Sketch Up 2026 activates one of Singapore’s most iconic spaces, encouraging a deeper appreciation of the precinct’s cultural and architectural heritage. The event will invite participants of all skill levels to sketch the National Gallery Singapore’s historic façade in a welcoming, communal setting.

After the mass sketching session at Padang Field, participants can submit their artworks for a digital showcase on the Civic District microsite. From 26 Jan to 16 Feb 2026, viewers can vote for their favourite sketches and stand a chance to win prizes alongside the artist with the most-voted sketch. Join us for an inspiring afternoon and experience the Civic District in a new light through art, community and shared creativity.

For more info, visit: https://www.artshousegroup.sg/civic-district/sketch-up-2026

Images courtesy of Arts House Group

Singapore International Festival of Arts 2026

Organised by Arts House Group, the Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA) returns from 15 to 30 May 2026, marking an exciting new chapter led by Festival Director Chong Tze Chien—an acclaimed playwright, director, and educator who has shaped Singapore’s contemporary theatre landscape.

Under Tze Chien’s leadership, SIFA will chart an exciting three-year course, presenting works from Singapore and beyond while nurturing collaboration and deeper audience engagement through bold, distinctive presentations. Brimming with fresh energy, the 2026 edition embraces play as a shared language—one that stirs curiosity, awakens imagination, and encourages audiences to step into the arts with a spirit of openness.

SIFA 2026 will offer inclusive programming that invites everyone to join the fun. The iconic Festival Village will make a comeback, rekindling the nostalgic energy of the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Alongside it, a lively mix of indoor and outdoor performances, interactive site-specific works, parades, and late-night happenings will keep the city buzzing. Across the city, family-friendly experiences and community-driven activations will open doors for audiences from all walks of life to play and participate.

More details on the Festival will be available on https://sifa.sg/ in March 2026. Stay tuned.