Image courtesy of IMBA.
SINGAPORE鈥橲 NEWEST CULTURAL VENUE DEBUTS WITH GLOBAL ART SHOWCASES AND MULTI-SENSORY STORYTELLING
officially opened at Gardens by the Bay, introducing Singapore鈥檚 first dedicated venue for large-scale immersive storytelling and gallery exhibitions. The opening ceremony was officiated by David Neo, Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, alongside industry leaders and representatives from IMBA and Gardens by the Bay.
Spanning over 80,000 square feet, IMBA Theatre features a major gallery space, two purpose-built black box theatres equipped with advanced projection and sound technology, and a series of integrated lifestyle offerings. These include curated retail, dining concepts and immersive zones designed to blend art, culture and everyday experiences.
The venue launches with two headline presentations. The first, Botero in Singapore, is the world鈥檚 first tri-format experience dedicated to the life and legacy of Colombian artist Fernando Botero. Developed in collaboration with the Fernando Botero Foundation, the exhibition showcases nearly 130 original works across IMBA Theatre and Gardens by the Bay, including sculptures, paintings and drawings that span the artist鈥檚 seven-decade career.
A central highlight is A Life in Fullness, a 40-minute immersive audiovisual portrait narrated by Botero鈥檚 son, offering audiences an intimate perspective on the artist鈥檚 personal and creative journey.
The second major presentation, David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not Smaller and Further Away), marks its Southeast Asia premiere. Created in partnership with Lightroom UK, the experience explores six decades of work by British artist David Hockney, combining large-scale visuals, narration by the artist and an original score by composer Nico Muhly.
Michael Lee, Chief Executive Officer of IMBA, described the venue as a space designed to make art more accessible and engaging for audiences of all ages. He noted that the opening presentations set the tone for IMBA鈥檚 ambition to bring world-class cultural experiences to Singapore while fostering creativity through art, design and education.
Felix Loh, Chief Executive Officer of Gardens by the Bay, added that the new venue enhances the Gardens鈥 vision as a 鈥淧eople鈥檚 Garden鈥, integrating immersive arts into a public space where nature and creativity coexist.
Beyond exhibitions, IMBA Theatre also introduces lifestyle elements such as the Prudential Experience Zone, an interactive digital installation, and the IMBA Stacked Store featuring exclusive merchandise inspired by its exhibitions. A wellness dining concept, Realm Caf茅, is set to open in June 2026, offering a space for visitors to relax between experiences.
The venue also signals a commitment to local talent, with plans to feature works by Singaporean artist IC Koh and collaborate with institutions such as Nanyang Polytechnic to develop original creative content.
With its blend of global exhibitions and local collaborations, IMBA Theatre is positioned as a new cultural platform in Southeast Asia, aiming to redefine how audiences engage with art through immersive and multi-sensory experiences.
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鈼 Annex A: List of Partners and Quotes from Partners
鈼 Annex B: About Botero in Singapore
鈼 Annex C: About David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away)
