Thurs Mar 28 2024, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM SGT

The Minangkabau from the highlands of West Sumatra form the world’s largest matrilineal society. Family property, land, and heirlooms pass down from mothers to daughters. A Minangkabau headdress in Singapore’s National Collection epitomises the community’s identity, and features a combination of local and imported materials that sheds light on the complex cultural and commercial interactions of the late 19th to early 20th centuries. Hidden from view, an adhesive was used to line two imported cloths to the underside the headdress. In this talk, a conservator, curator, and conservation scientist will present an integrated analysis of the headdress. They will reveal how gold, natural resin, machine-printed cottons from Europe, and brocades of Indian or possibly European origin were integral to the production of Minangkabau material culture.

Sat Feb 24 2024, 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM SGT

Cándida Fernández de Calderón, director of the Fomento Cultural Citibanamex. A.C., discusses her work with craftsmen to preserve and promote Mexican heritage. The talk will be followed by a panel discussion with Lidia Riveros, Tracy Tang, and Denisonde Simbol, who worked with diverse communities to amplify their voices in the Manila Galleon exhibition.

24-25 Feb 2024, 10am-5pm

Get festive at ACM! Indulge in food and fun as we journey from Manila to Mexico and beyond

28 Jan 2024, 11am to 5pm

Journey through the galleries in search of shiny silver objects on display.

12 January 2024, 7-8 pm

This talk covers the curation process of the ACM’s current special exhibition, Manila Galleon: From Asia to the Americas.

19 Jan–8 Feb (Programmes on 19, 20, 26, 27 Jan, 2, 3 Feb, 7–11pm; galleries open until 9pm)

Welcome to ACM’s Entertainment Plaza, inspired by the unconventional theme parks of yesteryear!