SINGAPORE – A new attraction is opening at Gardens by the Bay in December 2025, housing a dedicated exhibition space for immersive art experiences that Singaporeans have come to love in recent years.
The IMBA Theatre, short for Immersive Media Based Arts Theatre, is envisioned as a state-of-the-art black box of more than 20,000 sq ft, enclosed by a 12.5m-high projection wall.
The first such theatre of its kind in the country will be in Gardens by the Bay’s West Lawn. This is after blockbusters like Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience at Resorts World Sentosa in 2024 sold some 370,000 tickets.
The IMBA Theatre is by home-grown edutainment group Hustle & Bustle (H&B), which said on March 19 that it is partnering Lightroom, a London-based venture, for the endeavour. There will also be support from local collaborators, including Acre Design, Arina International Holdings, DP Architects and Kaizen Architecture.
Its first showcase in December is set to be of Colombian artist Fernando Botero. His signature corpulent figures will kick-start what will eventually become a year-round venue for multi-experiential arts and culture events.
Chief executive officer of H&B Michael Lee said in a press statement: “IMBA theatre is a space designed for scale and adaptability to inspire wonder and allow audiences to foster deeper connections with the arts and the world around us. This is a testament to our commitment to creating transformative experiences and cement Singapore’s position as a global cultural hub.”
In addition to the projection space, there is a separate 12,500 sq ft gallery where physical art shows will be curated, designed for exhibition of paintings, sculptures and other mixed-media works.
IMBA has also promised to stage a show spotlighting Singapore’s Nanyang artists – represented by pioneers such as Cheong Soo Pieng, Lim Tze Peng, Chen Wen Hsi and Georgette Chen. No date has been announced.
An artist’s impression of new IMBA art gallery. PHOTO: IMBA
These artists, who blended Chinese and Western art techniques and applied them to South-east Asian themes, occupy a formative period of Singapore’s art history.
IMBA will also work with Nanyang Polytechnic’s School of Design & Media to develop content for theatre as part of its commitment to fostering future creative talent.
The number of immersive art experiences has increased exponentially in Singapore in the past year, including separate shows of famed street artist Banksy and American graffiti artist Jean-Michel Basquiat earlier in 2025.
By engaging audiences through technology such as 360-degree projections, gamification and atmospheric installations, they have proven to be effective in attracting a fresh, social-media driven audience. Industry watchers say concerns remain, though, that they can cheapen art into spectacle.
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