Jackie Yoong’s accolades speak for themselves. Having spent the last 17 years as the senior curator at Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM), she possesses a keen instinct as to what makes up a thought-provoking exhibit. Two of her recent works, Guo Pei: Chinese Art and Couture and Andrew Gn: Fashioning Singapore and the World, played a significant role in positioning textiles front and centre in Singapore’s art space. Her expertise also extends to the global stage. She is a board member of the International Committee for Museums and an adviser for the Centre of Heritage, Arts and Textile in Hong Kong.

⁠What drives you as a changemaker?

I believe in the power of good storytelling to change how we see the world and each other. Museums are not neutral spaces; they connect people, surface overlooked voices and open new conversations. What drives me is the possibility of that change. I often ask: how can exhibitions and museums feel alive, relevant and meaningful in the way they engage with the world today?

Is there a piece from the collections you have curated that resonates with you personally?

What resonates most for me now is our ongoing Asia in Design collecting for contemporary fashion and furniture. It reflects a wider shift towards global design histories that move beyond dominant Euro-American narratives. By centring Asia both geographically and conceptually, we are building a more inclusive lens on design. I’m inspired to do this work alongside a passionate team, in dialogue with designers across Asia.

Tell us about the most challenging aspect of your job and how you overcome it.

One challenge is building conviction around the value of contemporary design within a museum context. It means navigating differing views on what is worth collecting and displaying, and making the case for why it matters now. When we presented our first contemporary fashion exhibition at ACM, it required persistence and trust in our instincts. I approach this through research, dialogue and clarity, ensuring our work remains relevant and reflective of our time.

In view of #SGFashionNow and Andrew Gn: Fashioning Singapore and the World, how do you think fashion exhibitions play a part in evolving Singapore’s national identity?

Fashion exhibitions act as both a visible touchpoint and a meaningful pause to reflect on Singapore as a cosmopolitan, evolving society. In Andrew Gn: Fashioning Singapore and the World, we see a designer navigating between cultures—local and global, East and West—mirroring Singapore’s own hybridity. With #SGFashionNow, co-curated with Lasalle students, we foreground diverse voices and perspectives. Together, these exhibitions position identity as something that is dynamic, shaped through dialogue, creativity and exchange.

⁠⁠⁠Looking forward, what change are you most excited to see in your industry and how can we get there?

I’m excited by the growing recognition of good design as central to living better now and in the future. In Singapore, the potential for a design museum and the development of Design Collection Singapore signal this change. To get there, we need deeper collaborations across disciplines, institutions and communities here and abroad, and to stretch what museums can be as platforms for engagement. The goal is to have a real impact on how we live and think.