Appointments
Andrew Marr has been appointed Cultural/ Academic Trustee of The National Gallery. The author and journalist, best known for presenting BBC One’s Sunday morning ‘The Andrew Marr Show’ has been appointed for a four year term to February 2028.
The British Museum has announced its new permanent Director. Dr Nicholas Cullinan OBE, who has served as the National Portrait Gallery’s Director since 2015, will take up the role following the approval of the Board of Trustees and the agreement of the Prime Minister.
Director of National Portrait Gallery appointed at British Museum
Ikon has announced the leadership team taking the gallery forward in its 60th year.The Board of Trustees have made permanent appointments for Ian Hyde, Chief Executive Officer; Melanie Pocock, Artistic Director (Exhibitions); and Linzi Stauvers, Artistic Director (Education).
Openings/closures
Perth Museum has revealed a new look inside its redeveloped museum ahead of opening to the public this Easter weekend (pictured above). The £27m transformation of the historic former City Hall will be seen by visitors for the first time on Saturday 30 March 2024.
The Science Museum has opened its major new gallery, ‘Energy Revolution: The Adani Green Energy Gallery’, this week. The gallery features historic and contemporary objects and digital exhibits that highlight efforts to decarbonise the planet.
Exhibitions
Over 140 works are to be displayed at the National Portrait Gallery’s first historical exhibition since reopening. ‘Six Lives: The Stories of Henry VIII’s Queens’ will place its focus on the women who married the infamous Tudor king, and will feature items that have never been on public display, and a 16th century portrait once thought lost, alongside contemporary portraits by Hiroshi Sugimoto and costume from SIX the Musical.
Yorkshire Sculpture Park (YSP) has unveiled new sculptures, created onsite by the Ugandan artist Leilah Babiryel. Seven figures carved from a fallen beech tree have been completed with found materials from YSP’s site, and are shown alongside five new ceramics. Obumu (Unity) is the artist’s first solo museum show. Runs until 8 September 2024.
A new career-spanning exhibition of Oliver Kilbourn, a founding member of the Pitmen Painters, is to open at Woodhorn Museum in Northumberland. The new exhibition will celebrate the 50-year career of the artist. ‘Oliver Kilbourn: My Life as a Pitman’ features 39 paintings documenting Kilbourn’s career as a miner at Ashington and Ellington Collieries. It forms part of Ashington Group 90; Museums Northumberland’s year-long programme of exhibitions and events at Woodhorn Museum marking 90 years since the formation of the world-famous Ashington Group – referred to as the ‘Pitmen Painters’. Runs 29 March – 15 September 2024.
The V&A has revealed further details about what will be its largest temporary exhibition of photography to date. ‘Fragile Beauty: Photographs from the Sir Elton John and David Furnish Collection’ will display over 300 rare prints from 140 photographers, on loan from Elton’s private collection, including brand new acquisitions. Portraits of stars will feature including Aretha Franklin, Elizabeth Taylor, The Beatles, and Chet Baker, and three images depicting Marilyn Monroe taken between 1957-1962.
Brighton Museum & Art Gallery is celebrating the 50th anniversary of ABBA’s Eurovision win at Brighton Dome in 1974 in their latest exhibition. ‘ABBA: One Week in Brighton’ will feature photographs, film, and memories from the backstage crew audience members. Runs 28 March – 4 August 2024.
Funding
A total of 26 museums across the UK are to share £22.6m in government funding, announced today by DCMS. The latest round of the Museum Estate and Development Fund is announced as part of a wider, £33m Cultural Investment Fund which also includes libraries.