The most important part of planning for an event is finding a venue that you love and that meets your needs and budget. Did you know that The Arts House is open for event rental? Rich in history and tradition, it served as Singapore’s first Parliament House and now hosts many arts and creative events across the year. The heritage icon has a number of spaces you can rent – here’s a closer look.
#1 The Chamber
Photo: Community Foundation of Singapore
The Chamber was once the parliamentary chamber where members of the Singapore parliament gathered to debate policies. It’s elegantly furnished with customised furniture from London and a castle motif on the seats. The space can seat up to 200 people and has a central aisle, making it a great spot for performances and recitals.
#2 The Blue Room
With a name referencing its original colour, the Blue Room was previously where members of parliament would rest in between debate sessions, and where Singapore’s first Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew held discussions with his cabinet of ministers. With grand Corinthian columns featuring intricate Neoclassical architectural details, and Palladian windows that fill the room with natural light, the space can accommodate standing room for around 120 people, table seating for 60 and a theatre-style layout for 80.
#3 Council Room
Boasting a more intimate feel, the cosy Council Room was used as an office by then-Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew when he attended parliament. It can seat up to 30 people in a theatre-style layout and 18 in a conference setting. Despite its small size, the room is still bright and cheery thanks to the towering windows. It’s also equipped with a projector – handy for meetings and workshops.
#4 Living Room
This space also has a rich past life, acting as a general office of the Old Parliament House and a meeting room of the People’s Action Party. Flooded with natural light and fitted with timbre floors, this casual space can hold up to 80 people for cocktail events, 60 in a round table setting and 70 in a theatre-style layout.
#5 Gallery I
Planning a large party? This venue has you covered – it can host up to 250 people. An added bonus is that your guests will be impressed by elegant Neo-Palladian style of the room, with its grand rows of columns – not to mention the exposed brick entrance dating all the way back to 1827. This 270-square-metre space would be ideal for an exhibition.
#6 Gallery II
Photo: Community Foundation of Singapore
Featuring high ceilings and elegant trimmings, this 132-square-metre space was formerly the Library of the Legislative Assembly before the building became the Parliament of Singapore. It has multiple spotlights, with standing space for 130 people, round table seating for 100 and a theatre-style layout space for 120. This would be a great space for an exhibition or product launch.
Screening a movie or holding a performance?
Besides hosting seminars and cocktail parties, The Arts House also has venues catering to theatre and film events. The Play Den is equipped with lighting, sound systems and retractable seats. It’s a flexible space that works well for experimental and interactive theatre performances and can accommodate up to 120 people. If you’re showing a film or video, the Screening Room is a 75-seater theatre ideal for briefings and presentations.
The Arts House
1 Old Parliament Lane
6332 6900 | theartshouse.sg
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