National Museum of Singapore recognised at GovMedia Conference & Awards 2026
The organisation reimagined museum storytelling through interactive projections, LED displays, and digital companions.
The National Museum of Singapore, an institution under the National Heritage Board, received the Singapore Digital Initiative of the Year - Culture and the Arts title at the GovMedia Conference & Awards 2026 for Singapore Odyssea: A Journey Through Time, an immersive installation at the museum’s revamped Shaw Foundation Glass Rotunda. The multi-sensorial experience invites visitors to embark on a voyage through 700 years of Singapore’s history in reverse chronology.
Spotlighting key moments of Singapore’s history, layered with local stories and myths associated with the origins of Singapore, Singapore Odyssea offers cultural and historical context to Singapore’s identity through visual projections, animated scenes, and rich soundscapes. A highlight is a suspended LED globe, the first of its kind in a Singapore museum, which features a dramatic light show depicting the evolution of maritime trade routes through Singapore from the past to present.
Accompanying visitors throughout the showcase are personalised digital “magical companions” inspired by Singapore’s native fauna, which are linked to RFID/BLE wristbands collected at the beginning of the experience. These companions trigger animations as they respond to users’ movements at designated spots along a spiral ramp within the space, unlocking additional content that complements the Singapore Odyssea narrative.
The journey culminates at the base of the Glass Rotunda, where a cinematic digital waterfall curtain parts to reveal pivotal moments from Singapore’s history as visitors approach. The dynamic floor also responds to visitors’ movements, with each step creating ripples on the surface that interact with surrounding ripples generated by others.
As part of an interactive multimedia finale, visitors are invited to release their “magical companion” into a digital “well,” as stories from regional myths and legends come to life on the screen. From a giant tide-moving crab to Puah Janggi, the magical tree of life, and the Palembang prince Sang Nila Utuma, visitors are treated to an immersive experience that celebrates the enduring stories that continue to shape Singapore’s cultural heritage today.
The overall approach of Singapore Odyssea addresses the limitations of conventional showcase displays, which are typically more passive and dependent on artefacts and the physical space. It places the National Museum of Singapore at the forefront of innovative storytelling in its use of digital tools to support a more engaging and participatory museum experience for all.
Singapore Odyssea is a permanent installation that will complement the Singapore History Gallery when it reopens in October 2026.
GovMedia Conference & Awards gives recognition to the trends and best practices that transform the public sector in the Asia Pacific. The awards programme promotes excellence and provides a platform for exemplary government initiatives.
The GovMedia Conference & Awards is presented by GovMedia Magazine. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2027 awards programme and be recognised for your organisation's government projects and initiatives, please contact Marni Marco at +(65) 3158 1386 and [email protected].
