ICA Singapore Guide 2026: LASALLE Exhibitions & Hours
The Institute of Contemporary Arts Singapore (ICA Singapore) is the gallery and exhibition program associated with LASALLE College of the Arts. Its purpose is to give students, local artists and international practitioners a public space for experimentation, installation, film, sculpture, painting and interdisciplinary work. For independent travelers, it is an accessible way to explore Singapore’s current creative scene without buying a ticket to a major museum.
October 2026 update: the institute’s official website lists free admission and galleries open Monday to Saturday from noon to 7 p.m., closed on Sundays, public holidays and college closure dates. That supersedes the article’s old Tuesday–Sunday schedule. Check the exhibition calendar before visiting because gallery installations and setup can interrupt access.
ICA Singapore: 2026 visitor essentials
- Location: LASALLE College of the Arts, 1 McNally Street, Singapore 187940.
- Admission: free for regular public galleries.
- Gallery hours: Monday–Saturday noon–7 p.m., closed Sunday, public holidays and scheduled college closures.
- Nearest station: Rochor MRT Exit A, roughly two minutes’ walk.
- Time needed: about 45–90 minutes depending on the exhibition.
- Programs: temporary exhibitions, student showcases, public talks and special events.
These details come from the institute’s official visitor and exhibitions page. The larger campus has different administrative opening hours; gallery hours must not be confused with college office hours. For more about the school, visit our LASALLE College of the Arts guide.
What kind of art can you see?
Contemporary installations and experimentation
Shows often include video, photography, unconventional materials, sound, moving images and conceptual installations. Themes may range from ecology and care to identity, new technology and urban life. Some projects are abstract; reading the curatorial panels helps explain how they relate to current questions in Singapore and beyond.
Exhibitions by emerging artists
LASALLE students and graduating artists use the galleries to test ideas in public, often mixing media rather than restricting themselves to one discipline. This creates a different viewing experience from the collection-led displays at the National Gallery Singapore or the Asian Civilisations Museum.
Short-lived shows and public programs
From 1–26 October 2026, the institute scheduled Affective Technē: The Gentle Gravity Between Bodies. Its website also lists further exhibitions and special programs beginning 30 October, including work exploring arts pedagogy and ecology. The first is an exhibition nearing its end on 26 October; it must not be advertised as continuously open afterward. Check the live calendar before visiting.
Getting to ICA Singapore
By MRT
Rochor on the Downtown Line is the most convenient station. Exit A is close to LASALLE’s McNally Campus. Other stations such as Little India and Bugis are walkable but farther away. The college directs public gallery visitors to public areas on Level 1; classrooms and private teaching spaces are not open to sightseeing visitors.
Public-access etiquette
Security instructions, campus operations and artist installations can change the route through the building. Avoid touching installations, follow photography rules, keep noise down during talks and do not wander into restricted classrooms. If traveling with mobility requirements, check gallery-specific accessibility in advance.
Singapore art itinerary ideas
Pair the institute with the National Design Centre for a design-oriented comparison. Another contemporary-art hub is Gillman Barracks, home to rotating gallery programs and the NTU Centre for Contemporary Art Singapore. These are not the same institution and require transport between different city areas.
For museum-rich days, consider the Singapore Art Museum, Peranakan Museum, National Museum of Singapore, Red Dot Design Museum or MINT Museum of Toys. Each has its own opening hours, temporary closures and ticket requirements.
A neighborhood stroll after the galleries could take you through Little India toward architecture and heritage at Hajjah Fatimah Mosque or the historic former Supreme Court on another central-city route. These are independent stops, not exhibits inside LASALLE.
Why ICA differs from a permanent art museum
ICA is an exhibition-making institution with temporary programming, not a fixed collection that can be viewed identically every visit. That makes checking the schedule essential. Visitors seeking large permanent displays should plan around the National Gallery or other collecting museums. Travelers interested in the intersection of creative work and Singapore’s urban landscape can also see Singapore City Gallery or enjoy public architecture around the Marina Bay Sands complex.
Frequently asked questions
Is ICA Singapore free?
Yes, general gallery admission is advertised as free, though some programs can require registration.
Is it open Sunday?
No. Current official gallery hours are Monday through Saturday, noon–7 p.m., excluding public holidays and college closures.
Is it the same as NTU CCA Singapore?
No. ICA is associated with LASALLE, whereas NTU CCA belongs to Nanyang Technological University and has its own program and Gillman Barracks facilities.
How do I get there?
Take the MRT to Rochor Exit A and walk to 1 McNally Street.
Address
LASALLE College of the Arts, 1 McNally Street, Singapore 187940, SG.