Festival Director's Message

Welcome to SMU Arts Fest 2026 – Legendary!

When this year's Singapore Night Festival unveiled its theme, Myths and Legends, we began asking ourselves a different question: what makes something legendary?

For us, being legendary is about more than ancient tales. It is also about the people, sounds and traditions that continue to inspire generations. It is about cultural icons whose influence transcends time, folklore that evolves with every retelling, and artistic practices that remain relevant because each generation discovers new meaning in them.

Most importantly, it is about how young artists reinterpret these legacies today.

That spirit lies at the heart of SMU Arts Fest. As a festival created with and for young people, we believe that tradition is never static. Every legend gains new life when viewed through fresh perspectives, bold creativity and contemporary voices.

This year's festival curation celebrates legendary influences from around the world, across Asia, and here at home in Singapore.

At SMU Campus Green - the beating heart of the Singapore Night Festival - ICONS celebrates global music legends, bringing together unforgettable medleys inspired by influential artistes from East and West, from Anita Mui and Bird Thongchai to Michael Jackson and Madonna. The following weekend, BEATIFIC explores another kind of legend: the enduring power of rhythm, showcasing drumming traditions rooted in Chinese, Malay and Indian heritage alongside contemporary styles in an exhilarating celebration of percussion.

Our exhibition, INTO THE LORE, reimagines seven folktales from across Asia through visual art, photography and text, as student artists offer bold contemporary interpretations of familiar stories. We are especially delighted to welcome seniors from St. Vincent Home, our neighbours along Waterloo Street, whose own artistic responses will be exhibited alongside those of our students, a meaningful reminder that legends are stories shared across generations.

To celebrate Singapore's own legends, we present ONCE UPON AN ISLAND, created in collaboration with The Finger Players. Bringing together three beloved folktales - the founding of Singapura, the Legend of Redhill, and the Legend of Kusu Island - the production combines the art of large-scale shadow puppetry, 
contemporary movement and visual storytelling into a spectacular outdoor theatrical experience at SMU Connexion.

Beyond our campus, we are also excited to partner with Temasek Shophouse to present LITTLE LEGENDS, our fringe programme of artist conversations and community activities that invite audiences to engage more deeply with the stories and ideas behind the works.

Thank you for joining us at SMU Arts Fest 2026. We hope you leave inspired by the many ways legends continue to evolve. Together, let us celebrate not only legendary stories, but also the next generation of artists who may one day become legends themselves.

Festival Director
Weetz