UOB launches UOB Artbeat to bring art closer to the community

Festival provides platform for emerging artists to showcase works and features exhibitions and hands-on workshops for the public

Singapore, 25 August 2026 – UOB today unveiled UOB Artbeat, its inaugural art festival which aims to make art more accessible and engaging for the wider community. Taking place across two weekends from 29 August to 6 September 2026 at Artspace@Helutrans, Tanjong Pagar Distripark, the festival will provide a platform for emerging artists to showcase their works and offer visitors the opportunity to discover and engage with art through artist showcases, and interactive hands-on workshops.

A key highlight of the festival is the 2026 UOB Painting of the Year (POY) Emerging Artists Finalists Showcase, which for the first time, will present a selection of artworks by shortlisted finalists to the public, providing an opportunity for more emerging artists to gain visibility, recognition and connect with audiences. Visitors can also explore selected works from the UOB Art Collection, including artworks by Cultural Medallion award recipient and top winning artist from the first UOB POY competition, Mr Goh Beng Kwan, and participate in hands-on conservation workshops that offer insights into the care and preservation of art.

The festival will serve as a prelude to the 2026 UOB Painting of the Year (POY) Awards Ceremony and Exhibition in October, reinforcing the Bank’s long standing commitment to championing the arts and making art accessible to the wider community.

Ms Janet Young, Head of Group Channels and Digitalisation and Strategic Communications and Brand, UOB, said: "Art has the power to inspire, connect and enrich lives of everyone in our community. UOB Artbeat creates a new opportunity for emerging artists to showcase their work and connect with wider audiences. At the same time, it invites the community to discover the many facets of art – from creation and conservation, to the stories behind the works and artists themselves. Together with the UOB Painting of the Year competition, UOB Artbeat reflects our long-standing commitment to nurturing artistic talent and fostering a deeper appreciation for art."

Spotlight on emerging artistic talent

As part of UOB's long-standing commitment to nurturing artistic talent, the festival will feature the 2026 UOB Painting of the Year Emerging Artists Finalists Showcase, presenting a selection of artworks by finalists in the Emerging Artist category of the 45th UOB Painting of the Year competition.

The showcase reflects UOB’s commitment to supporting the next generation of artists by extending exhibition opportunities beyond the UOB POY competition winners¹. For the first time, shortlisted finalists will have the opportunity to showcase their works to the public, giving more emerging artists greater visibility and recognition for their creative achievements.

UOB Art Collection presented from a new perspective

Another highlight of the festival is UOB Art Collection: Beyond the Canvas, an immersive showcase developed by BARC Labs, a leading Singapore-based art conservation studio headed by Dr Diana Tay, for UOB.

Visitors will be invited to explore 12 selected artworks from the UOB Art Collection through a different lens, to get an in-depth look at the creative process behind the artworks, the interesting materials used by artists and the techniques that challenge conventional notions of creating art.

These include five artworks from Mr Goh Beng Kwan, recipient of the Cultural Medallion award and top winning artist from the first UOB POY competition in 1982. Visitors will have the rare opportunity to view Mr Goh’s artworks from the UOB Art Collection which includes The Dune, his 1982 UOB POY winning artwork, while gaining insights into his creative process and artistic journey. The seven other featured artworks are past years’ winning artworks by UOB POY artists such as David Chan, Ho Tzu Nyen and Yong Wee Loon. More details of the artworks can be found in the Appendix.

Deepening public understanding of art conservation through workshops

Recognising the importance of conservation in preserving cultural heritage for future generations, UOB has commissioned BARC Labs to conduct a series of interactive workshops aimed at raising public awareness and deepening understanding of art conservation.

The workshops include:

• Filling In The Blanks – Participants will learn basic techniques used by professional conservators to repair paint loss in artworks.
• Hidden Images: Discovering Art Through Infrared – Participants will discover how infrared imaging reveals hidden details beneath artworks and create their own hidden-message artwork.

Through hands-on learning and discovery, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the important work art conservators do to protect and preserve artworks for future generations.

Opening with Art After Hours

To mark the opening of UOB Artbeat, UOB is proud to co-present Art After Hours on 29 August 2026, a signature programme of Singapore Gallery Month 2026 which is organised by the Art Galleries Association Singapore (AGAS).

As part of the activation, galleries across Tanjong Pagar Distripark will remain open into the evening and offer a range of art experiences and fringe activities. UOB Artbeat will serve as a key highlight of the programme, with extended viewing hours for both the Emerging Artist Finalists' Showcase and the UOB Art Collection exhibition.

Visitors will also be encouraged to explore the wider arts precinct through a special "Art Passport" initiative, where they can redeem photos from an instant photo booth and UOB art merchandise upon completing designated activities. In addition, the first 50 visitors to complete their passports will get to attend a complimentary Flowerscape floral-arrangement workshop on the same day, conducted by Hullabaloo Studio, a social enterprise that supports the livelihoods of artists with disabilities.

UOB Artbeat will be held at Artspace@Helutrans at Tanjong Pagar Distripark, 39 Keppel Road, #01-05, Singapore 089065. More details on the festival and how to sign up for the workshops can be found at https://go.uob.com/artbeat.

Dates:
29 to 30 August 2026 (Saturday and Sunday)
4 to 6 September 2026 (Friday to Sunday)

Opening Hours

• 29 August 2026: 11.00am to 9.00pm (including Art After Hours)
• 30 August and 4 to 6 September 2026: 11.00am to 6.00pm