When the School relocated to their current location in 1987, the 3,500 m2 (38,000 sq ft) space gave home to the Kum Yan Cantonese Methodist Church.

With new interest on contemporary art by the young, the National Heritage Board (NHB) took up tenancy of the building from the Land Authority.

There are also spaces to house two restaurants on the ground floor which are currently occupied by Love Pal Cafe and Standing Sushi Bar.

SAM at 8Q was officially opened on 15 August 2008 with an inaugural 8-man art exhibition titled 8Q-Rate: School; a name pun from the word 'curate'.

8Q-Rate featured the works by young contemporary artists such as Jahan Loh, Donna Ong, Grace Tan, Chong Li Chuan, Jason Wee, Tan Kai Syng, Phunk and sculptor Ahmad Abu Bakar.