Museum Moves 2 – 8 February 2024

Openings/closures

Having been shut since March 2023, the University College London’s Grant Museum of Zoology has reopened this week. The reopening follows a £300,000 refurbishment that will introduce new displays showcasing how the university’s research is responding to the planetary environmental crisis.

Exhibitions

A new photography exhibition at the National Justice Museum in Nottingham opens this weekend, exploring the lives of young people in the American justice system and the parallels with the British juvenile justice system. ‘Juvenile In Justice’ features photographs and first-hand testimonials, it will highlight the work of Californian artist and activist, Richard Ross, who has visited over 300 youth detention sites in over 35 states and has documented the lives of more than 1,000 young people. Runs 12 February – 3 November 2024.

The National Railway Museum in York has opened a new temporary exhibition to highlight underrepresente stories about disability alongside 20th century railway artwork. Opening today, it will explore the rail travel from the perspectives of people with lived experience of D/deafness, disability and neurodivergence. Part of the national Curating for Change programme, the exhibition will include a specially commissioned original artwork called Shifting Landscapes by neurodivergent artist Hayley Wall. Runs until June 2024.

A rare ‘Mr Fish’ kipper tie uncovered in a charity shop is now on display at the Museum of London Docklands as a noteworthy exhibit in ‘Fashion City: How Jewish Londoners Shaped Global Style’exhibition, running until April 2024. Originally designed by the renowned menswear designer Michael Fish, the tie found its way into the possession of Janneke van der Wal, a 65-year-old aficionado who paid 99p for the tie in a charity shop.

Charity shop find reenters fashion world at Museum of London Docklands exhibition

In Leeds, Colours Uncovered is a new exhibition tracing the history and science of colour, through selected objects and artworks from the Harewood House collection. Among the items on display will be a Renaissance Vivarini painting, Sèvres porcelain, and work by contemporary artist Max Lamb, “in a celebration of Harewood’s collection and gardens”. Runs 22 March – 9 June 202.

Three large posters of Jimi Hendrix from the Collection of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury have gone on display this week at Handel Hendrix House. The Mayfair museum, which comprises the homes of both composer GF Handel and Hendrix, will display three posters which were acquired at auction last year. (Pictured above)

Next week, ‘YOKO ONO: MUSIC OF THE MIND’ opens at Tate Modern. It is the UK’s largest exhibition celebrating key moments in Ono’s career from her years in London John Lennon to the development of her own art and performance. Visitors will be invited to take part in “both simple acts of the imagination and active encounters with Ono’s works, such as Wish Trees for London, where visitors can contribute personal wishes for peace.” The exhibition features 200 works including instruction pieces, scores, installations, films, music and photography. Runs 15 February – 1 September 2024.

The Lynn Museum in King’s Lynn has a new exhibition about the moon which is now open. The centerpiece of ‘The Moon: Meet Our Nearest Neighbour’ is a three-metre inflatable moon model displayed within the ceiling space of the historic building. It will also explore historic moments in lunar discovery and feature objects including real Moon rock. Runs until 15 September 2024.

Funding

Thackray Museum of Medicine has secured £228,911 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to continue its strategic development following a £4.6m re-development of the museum, of which the Heritage Fund was a major supporter.

The Musical Museum in Brentford has launched a £60,000 fundraising campaign which it said it needs to keep its doors open. The fundraising campaign, which is launched on the museum’s 60th anniversary, will support a growing shortfall in operating income.

Brentford’s Musical Museum launches crowdfund to avoid closure