In its ninth iteration, the National Heritage Board (NHB) is back with its popular Museum Roundtable where specially designed red packets will be available for collection at 39 participating museums, heritage institutions and galleries. This campaign is a month-long event that runs from 6^th January to 3^rd February 2023.

The 2023 Chinese zodiac animal – the rabbit, is featured on each of the red packets in various outfits. Each visitor is limited to collecting only one pack of eight red packets while stocks last. For those that are interested in collecting the red packets, here is a list of participating museums and galleries, their red packet collection addresses and collection criteria.

The limited-edition collector’s album will be available for sale on the 14^th, 15^th and 20^th January 2023, retailing at S$88 (nett) per album. In celebration of NHB’s 30^th Anniversary, a special edition designed as well as red packets for the Year of the Rabbit will be displayed within the customised album. There will be a total of 80 pieces of red packets.

The collector’s album has been brought back due to popular demand when it was first sold out within hours of its launch in 2022. Hence, NHB is selling the collector’s album this year in a larger quantity – 450 albums compared to 350 albums in 2022.

The general public would have to pre-register for a purchase slot on 14^th and 15^th January, or do a walk-in purchase on 20^th January 2023. Registration for purchase slots opens on 9^th January 2023, 10am on Eventbrite.

It is encouraged to pre-register for a purchase slot because of the 450 collector’s albums available for sale, 400 will be sold via purchase slots, while 50 will be set aside for walk-in purchases. Purchase of the album is a first-come, first-served basis and visitors are limited to the purchase of one album per NRIC number, regardless of the method of purchase.

If you weren’t successful in gathering all 39 red packets, don’t worry! There will be two online giveaways held on the “I Love Museums” Facebook page, where you can stand a chance to win a full set of red packets.

The first giveaway runs from 6^th January to 16^th January; second giveaway runs from 25^th January to 30^th January. Do check their Facebook page for updates since the requirements for each giveaway vary.

Let’s hop into the Year of the Rabbit and “collect red packets as we discover more about our vibrant and diverse museum scene during this festive period,” said Mr. Alvin Tan, deputy chief executive for policy and community at NHB.

Images: Cheyenne Kor