Eugene Tan, currently serving as chief executive and director of both the National Gallery Singapore (NGS) and Singapore Art Museum (SAM), will step down from his leadership roles at NGS beginning in 2027, choosing to focus exclusively on SAM. The announcement was made jointly by NGS and SAM on September 28, highlighting the institutions’ need for dedicated leadership as they enter a new phase of development.
Chng Hak-Peng, former CEO of the Singapore Symphony Group until his departure in 2022, is slated to assume the role of CEO at NGS starting January 1, 2027. The statement did not specify the appointment of a new NGS director, noting that future arrangements for that position remain under consideration. Tan will continue as CEO and director of SAM, overseeing its expanding international reach in contemporary Southeast Asian art.
The decision to separate the leadership of NGS and SAM reflects strategic ambitions for both museums to pursue distinct growth trajectories while maintaining close collaboration in support of Singapore’s visual arts ecosystem. According to the joint statement, the institutions will continue to synergize efforts and share resources despite operating under separate executive leadership.
Tan’s dual appointment began in 2024 following the retirement of Chong Siak Chin, who previously held both positions. The combined roles under Tan were seen as an unprecedented move aimed at fostering synergy between the two cornerstone museums. Over his tenure, Tan recalibrated the relationship between NGS and SAM and elevated SAM’s profile on the global stage. He expressed gratitude for having led both museums and indicated that the move to dedicated leadership would allow him to concentrate fully on guiding SAM’s next chapter.
Chng, returning to the arts sector after nearly a decade in cultural leadership and consulting, brings experience from his time at the Singapore Symphony Group, where he advanced governance and digital initiatives. His prior career includes ten years at Bain & Company, advising on strategy for CEOs and private equity firms. Chng also holds board roles at the National Library Board’s Library and Archives Solutions and Duke-NUS Medical School, and chairs an advisory council at Chua Chu Kang Secondary School.
He described NGS as an institution he has long respected for its role in promoting Singaporean and Southeast Asian art and said he looked forward to building on its societal impact through accessible and meaningful arts engagements.
NGS chairman Peter Ho acknowledged Tan’s significant contributions over the past years, particularly highlighting the institution’s fiscal success under his leadership. In 2025, NGS saw an increase in financial contributions and donations to $8.42 million, up from $5.01 million in 2024. Visitor numbers, ticket sales, and memberships all rose, with exhibitions and festivals attracting 2.28 million attendees. The Gallery Insider membership grew dramatically from 3,000 to more than 15,500 within a year.
Tan also gained international recognition, appearing on Art Review’s Power 100 list in 2024 and 2025, a ranking that underscores his influence on contemporary art production and presentation.
Tan will continue to head the Visual Arts Cluster—which includes NGS, SAM, and the STPI Creative Workshop & Gallery—until December 31, 2026. Plans for the cluster’s future organizational structure are currently being finalized.