By Jessica Ye (Jessica Yap)
June is shaping up to be a busy month for culture lovers in Singapore.
From a landmark exhibition bringing treasures from the Musée du Louvre to Southeast Asia for the first time, to a behind-the-scenes look at the Paris Opera Ballet and an immersive journey into Arctic ocean research, the month offers plenty of reasons to venture beyond the usual weekend routine.
Here are five exhibitions and performances worth adding to your calendar.
Crosscurrents: Masterpieces of Indian, Iranian & Ottoman Art from the Musée du Louvre
One of the season’s most significant exhibitions arrives at the Asian Civilisations Museum this month.
Opening on 19 June, Crosscurrents brings close to 100 masterpieces from the Musée du Louvre‘s collection of Islamic art to Singapore, marking the first time a collection of this scale has been presented in Southeast Asia.
Spanning the Mughal, Safavid and Ottoman empires between the 16th and 18th centuries, the exhibition explores centuries of artistic exchange and cultural connections. Displayed alongside works from ACM’s own collection, the presentation offers a fascinating look at how ideas, craftsmanship and aesthetics travelled across regions, including Southeast Asia.
19 June 2026 – 24 January 2027
Asian Civilisations Museum
BALLET: The Making of an Étoile
The glamour of ballet often begins long before the curtain rises.
Presented at Alliance Française de Singapour, BALLET: The Making of an Étoile (featured image) takes visitors behind the scenes of the Paris Opera Ballet, offering a closer look at the discipline, training and dedication required to become an étoile dancer.
Structured as a journey through rehearsal studios, backstage spaces and performance stages, the exhibition reveals the countless hours of work that shape the elegance audiences see under the spotlight.
29 May – 15 August 2026
Alliance Française de Singapour
One Ocean: Every Action Ripples
For something entirely different, Science Centre Singapore is inviting visitors on a journey to the Arctic.
Developed in collaboration with Tara Ocean Foundation, One Ocean: Every Action Ripples combines immersive projections, virtual reality and spatial soundscapes to bring ocean research to life.
Visitors can explore Arctic ice formations, coral reefs, microscopic plankton and ocean currents while gaining a deeper understanding of the interconnected ecosystems that sustain life on Earth.
From 30 May 2026
Science Centre Singapore
Quatuor Modigliani: 1826 Beethoven’s Penultimate Year
Classical music takes centre stage as acclaimed French ensemble Quatuor Modigliani arrives in Singapore for a special tribute to Beethoven’s late works.
Founded in Paris in 2003, the quartet has built an international reputation for its interpretations of chamber music. In this series of performances, the musicians revisit works composed during Beethoven’s penultimate year, a period that produced some of the composer’s most celebrated string quartets.
6 June 2026
Esplanade Recital Studio
The Art of Chamber Music Exhibition
Photography, film and music come together in this multidisciplinary exhibition at Objectifs.
Celebrating the intimacy and collaborative nature of chamber music, the showcase features photographic works alongside a documentary by NAC Young Artist Award recipient Tan Si En and Momo Film Co.
The exhibition culminates in live performances accompanied by motion projections, offering audiences a different perspective on the artistry behind chamber music.
11 – 21 June 2026
Objectifs Centre for Photography & Film
Whether your interests lean towards art, music, performance or immersive experiences, June’s cultural calendar offers no shortage of discoveries. From centuries-old masterpieces from the Louvre to contemporary explorations of science and sound, these five highlights make a compelling case for stepping out and seeing something new.
Featured Image: BALLET/ THE MAKING OF AN ÉTOILE | Image: Photo credit/ Opéra de Paris
