Hello Future: Connecting People and Nature – Engaging Preschool Children on Environmental Sustainability Through Contemporary Art

About SAM Singapore Art Museum or SAM is the first art museum in Singapore. A non-profit arts institution, SAM is building one of the world’s most important public collections of Southeast Asian contemporary art. SAM is redefining the idea of the museum by presenting art in multiple spaces. The museum’s two heritage buildings are currently closed for redevelopment and will re-open in a few years. The museum’s new contemporary art space at Tanjong Pagar Distripark will open by early 2022. About the Think! Contemporary Preschool Programme and Exhibition Think! Contemporary Preschool Programme is a multi-visit, museum-based school programme where artworks are used as a primary resource for cross-disciplinary subjects. It aims to encourage learning through contemporary art and to inspire creativity among SAM’s younger audiences. SAM partnered with five preschools in the first edition of the programme in 2019 and held an exhibition which focused on themes of home, community, identity, memory and nature. In 2021, SAM partnered six preschools. The programme was carried out virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic measures, the programme culminated into an on-site exhibition, held between 6 March and 4 April 2021. This exhibition showcased artworks that highlighted harmonious connections between people and nature. It also demonstrated how nature and contemporary ecological and environmental issues such as sustainability are viewed through their eyes of wonder and innocence.