Objectifs - Centre for Photography & Film
Singapore Learn more about what's on at Objectifs - Centre for Photography & Film and the artists shaping its programme.Objectifs – Singapore’s hub for photography, film, and visual storytelling.
About Objectifs – Centre for Photography and Film
Objectifs – Centre for Photography and Film is an independent, non-profit visual arts space in Singapore, located at 155 Middle Road in the city’s arts and heritage district. The centre focuses on photography, film, and lens-based practices, positioning itself as a key stop for visitors seeking Singapore’s contemporary visual culture beyond the large national museums.
Founded in 2003, Objectifs has grown into one of Southeast Asia’s leading platforms for visual storytelling, with a year-round programme of exhibitions, screenings, residencies, talks, and developmental initiatives. Housed across a converted chapel building and an adjacent two-storey block, the space combines galleries, screening areas, workshop rooms, and a small shop, creating an intimate environment for both emerging and established artists.
Objectifs champions original voices and underrepresented perspectives from Singapore and the wider region, with a strong emphasis on documentary practices, socially engaged projects, and experimentations with the photographic and moving image. Its programming connects local practitioners to international networks, making it a reference point for curators, artists, and culturally engaged travelers interested in Southeast Asian photography and film.
Objectifs Art and exhibitions
Visitors to Objectifs can expect a mix of solo and group exhibitions, film programmes, and thematic festivals that foreground critical issues in contemporary visual culture. Annual pillars such as Women in Film & Photography and Stories That Matter focus on gender, documentary ethics, and non-fiction storytelling, while initiatives like the ‘Curator Open Call’ and the ‘Objectifs Documentary Awards’ support new curatorial and artistic research.
Beyond exhibitions, Objectifs offers workshops, mentorships, and labs for different levels—from introductory photography courses and darkroom sessions to advanced project development for artists and filmmakers. Screenings range from shorts and independent features to curated film cycles, often accompanied by talks, panel discussions, and public programmes that foster dialogue between artists and audiences.
Visiting information
Objectifs is centrally located on the corner of Middle Road and Waterloo Street, a short walk from the Bras Basah and Bugis MRT stations, and is easily combined with nearby museums and galleries in Singapore’s civic and arts districts. The centre occupies the historic Chapel Gallery for exhibitions and screenings, alongside an adjacent building housing the Lower Gallery, workshop spaces, retail area, offices, and a popular restaurant tenant on site.
Gallery and retail opening hours are typically Tuesday to Saturday, 12 pm to 7 pm, and Sunday, 12 pm to 4 pm, with the space closed on Mondays and public holidays. Admission to exhibitions is often free or modestly priced, while tickets are required for selected screenings, workshops, and special events, which can be booked via Objectifs’ website or at the centre during opening hours.
Objectifs - Centre for Photography & Film FAQs
What is Objectifs known for?
Objectifs is best known as Singapore’s dedicated centre for photography and film, nurturing original voices in visual storytelling and championing contemporary image-based practices in Southeast Asia. It has played an important role in developing the country’s ecosystem for photography, video art, and independent film through its exhibitions, screenings, and educational programmes.
What kind of art will I see at Objectifs?
Visitors encounter contemporary photography, short and feature-length films, video installations, and experimental lens-based works from Singapore and the wider region. Programmes often address documentary and non-fiction storytelling, social issues, and new approaches to visual narrative, including annual platforms such as Women in Film & Photography and Stories That Matter.
What are Objectifs’ opening hours?
Objectifs’ gallery and retail spaces generally open from Tuesday to Saturday, 12 pm to 7 pm, and Sunday, 12 pm to 4 pm, and are closed on Mondays and public holidays. Opening hours may vary for specific screenings, talks, and festivals, so visitors are advised to check the latest schedule on the centre’s website before visiting.
Do I need tickets, and how much do they cost?
Many exhibitions at Objectifs are free to enter, making it an accessible stop for visitors exploring Singapore’s art scene. Tickets are usually required for film screenings, workshops, and selected programmes; prices and booking information are listed for each event online, with some concessions or discounts available depending on the activity.
Does Objectifs offer workshops, tours, or education programmes?
Objectifs runs a robust educational programme that includes workshops, photography and filmmaking courses, mentorships, and residencies for different levels of experience. While it does not operate as a traditional museum with daily guided tours, many exhibitions and festivals are accompanied by artist talks, panel discussions, and curated events that deepen engagement with the work on view.
Artworks by Objectifs - Centre for Photography & Film Artists
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