A flagship conversation on the future of art, collecting, and cultural leadership in Asia.

As part of Singapore Gallery Month, the Art Galleries Association Singapore (AGAS) convenes a new flagship initiative bringing together leaders from across the visual arts ecosystem to explore the future of Singapore as an international arts city.

Rather than a traditional panel discussion, the AGAS Multi-Voice Forum is designed as a dynamic exchange between peers. Gallery owners, collectors, artists, museum professionals, philanthropists, family offices, international fair directors, foundations, and cultural leaders share the stage together, responding to one another in real time. The moderator acts less as an interviewer than as a conductor—drawing connections, inviting debate, and encouraging unexpected conversations that reflect the complexity of today’s art world.

Inspired by the openness of a TED stage, the energy of a conference reunion, and the depth of a policy roundtable, speakers remain together throughout the discussion, allowing ideas to evolve organically rather than through a series of isolated presentations.

The forum embodies AGAS’s belief that a thriving arts ecosystem is built not by any one stakeholder, but through sustained dialogue between all those who shape it.

2026 Theme: A Rising Asia

As global attention increasingly turns towards Asia, what role can Singapore play?

Singapore occupies a unique position at the crossroads of Southeast Asia and the wider international art market. Yet while the city has developed world-class infrastructure, galleries continue to operate within a collector ecosystem that is still growing. How can Singapore strengthen its position as a regional cultural hub while supporting artists and galleries to build sustainable international careers?

This year’s discussion explores questions including:

• Why is Asia becoming increasingly significant to the global art world?

• What role can Singapore play within this changing landscape?

• How can commercial galleries build sustainable international businesses?

• What are sophisticated collectors and family offices seeking today?

• How can philanthropy, private capital and public institutions work together to support the arts?

• What incentives encourage collecting and long-term patronage?

• How can Singapore better nurture artists throughout their careers?

• What lessons can Singapore learn from cultural ecosystems in Korea, Europe and beyond?

Ultimately, the conversation asks how Singapore can continue building the cultural infrastructure needed to become one of Asia’s leading arts capitals.

Bringing the Ecosystem Together

The forum intentionally brings together voices from every part of the arts landscape, reflecting AGAS’s commitment to collaboration across the sector.

Participants include:

• Commercial gallery leaders

• Artists

• Collectors and patrons

• Family office representatives

• Philanthropists and foundations

• International art fair directors

• Cultural diplomats

• Corporate supporters of the arts

Rather than speaking from separate podiums, participants engage as equals in a shared conversation—demonstrating the interconnected nature of Singapore’s arts ecosystem.

Moderator: Audrey Yeo, President of Art Galleries Association Singapore

The AGAS Multi-Voice Forum is conceived and orchestrated by Audrey Yeo, President of the Art Galleries Association Singapore (AGAS). Rather than moderating a traditional panel, she curates and guides a dynamic conversation that connects perspectives across artists, galleries, collectors, institutions, philanthropists, and international cultural leaders, creating an open exchange of ideas that reflects the collaborative spirit of Singapore’s arts ecosystem.

Why This Matters

Commercial galleries are often viewed simply as places where art is bought and sold. In reality, they are critical cultural infrastructure.

They discover artists, commission new work, develop international careers, educate collectors, activate neighbourhoods, convene conversations and connect Singapore to the global art world.

The AGAS Multi-Voice Forum reflects this broader role. By bringing together the people who invest in, create, collect, support and champion art, the forum seeks to foster new partnerships, encourage thoughtful debate, and strengthen Singapore’s position within an increasingly interconnected Asian cultural landscape.

AGAS envisions this becoming an annual platform for dialogue – one that grows alongside Singapore’s ambitions as a global city for the visual arts.