Derby Museums

Call Directions Website Contact the museum

Derby Museums Open and FREE entry:
Derby Museum and Art Gallery, The Strand, Derby
Museum of Making at Derby Silk
(798)

Derby Museums is an independent trust and organisation run for, and on behalf of, the people of Derby. We provide a museums and arts service, accessible to everyone, and are responsible for the curation of all the artefacts and works of art entrusted to us, and the buildings in which these are held. Our aim as a new organisation is to bring as many of these objects into the public domain as is practically possible and exhibit them in ways that delight and inspire.

🌍 What is really happening in the world right now and how do we make sense of it all?From political division and conspir...
16/10/2026

🌍 What is really happening in the world right now and how do we make sense of it all?

From political division and conspiracy theories to AI, misinformation and the erosion of trust, the issues shaping our world are increasingly interconnected. But how do we understand what’s really happening and find common ground?

Tomorrow (Saturday) we have award-winning documentary filmmaker Liz Smith for The Omnicrisis: Power, Truth and Division, a thought-provoking talk exploring the forces shaping our world, the people behind the headlines, and whether we can begin to bridge our divides.

📅 Saturday 17 October
⏰ 1.30 - 3pm
📍 Museum and Art Gallery
🎟️ £10 / FREE for ages 16 - 18
👉 Tickets still available here...
https://ow.ly/c0qO50ZYuBP

16/10/2026

What if one of Joseph Wright of Derby’s most extraordinary paintings is unfinished?

For Professor Jonathan Powers, The Alchymist evokes a sense of wonder. But look closer, and there are mysteries to unravel, including the possibility that Wright never finished the painting.

This begs the question, what can you discover if you look a little closer?

⏳ There’s just over two weeks left to experience Wright of Derby: From the Shadows at Derby Museum and Art Gallery.

Exhibition closes on Sunday 1 November.

Find out more: https://bit.ly/DMFromTheShadows

✨Get ready for a fun-filled October half-term at Derby Museums!For the next two weeks enjoy FREE drop in activities, fas...
14/10/2026

✨Get ready for a fun-filled October half-term at Derby Museums!

For the next two weeks enjoy FREE drop in activities, fascinating exhibitions and family trails...

✂️Craft at Pickfords' - Tuesdays, 10.30am – 12.30pm and 1.30 - 3.30pm, Pickfords' House.

🔨Making at the Museum - Wednesdays, 10.30am – 12.30pm and 1.30 – 3.30pm, Museum of Making.

✨Family Fun - Thursdays, 10.30am – 12.30pm and 1.30 – 3.30pm, Museum and Art Gallery.

🌟Join us for a Calm Start at the Museum of Making – A SEND Friendly Session- 27 October, 10 – 11:30am. FREE session but places must be booked in advance.

✏️Assemble: Derby’s Making Festival 2026 - 24 October, 11am - 4pm.

🖼️PLUS - we have exhibitions and trails at all three of our museums for you to explore ✏️

Find out more here: https://derbymuseums.org/whats-on/?event_theme=october-half-term-2026

Thank you to Rolls-Royce plc for generously supporting our STEAM learning programmes.

Images (c): Kate Lowe Photography and Pictoria Pictures.

The model railway makers will be in gallery steaming ahead with the scenery of the model all next week. While engines wi...
14/10/2026

The model railway makers will be in gallery steaming ahead with the scenery of the model all next week. While engines will be put on hold, we hope you’ll enjoy the rare opportunity of catching our meticulous volunteer team transforming the landscape bit by bit!

13/10/2026

Always wanted to have a go at letterpress printing?

Want to learn how to make a pin-hole camera?

Is listening to your very own personalised poem that is written in front of you on a vintage typewriter more your thing?

Or maybe you have always dreamed of having your family portrait drawn in a bright pink doodle booth?

Then Assemble is the place for you…

📅24 October, 11am - 4pm at the Museum of Making.

🎟️£5 / FREE for under 16s and Derby Museums Friends. Booking in advance is recommended.

Find out more and get your tickets here: https://bit.ly/DM_Assemble26

Assemble is generously supported by

Images: Kate Lowe Photography

Calling all families 📢 Fancy a fun museum visit this half-term?We’re looking for families to join us for a special photo...
12/10/2026

Calling all families 📢 Fancy a fun museum visit this half-term?

We’re looking for families to join us for a special photoshoot at Derby Museums!

What’s involved? Explore our museums, enjoy drop-in activities, and let us capture some lovely family moments.

When is it? We’ll be at the Museum of Making on 28 October and the Museum and Art Gallery on 29 October.

What’s in it for you? We will provide light refreshments, FREE tickets to Christmas at Pickfords' House, and we’ll share a selection of the best photos with you.

We will also use selected images and video in our upcoming marketing materials, to help more families discover Derby Museums.

Interested? Find out more and apply here: https://bit.ly/4ibS4Kj

Image (c): Kate Lowe photography

Discover, discuss and explore our local heritage and beyond with our unmissable season of artist talks and presentations...
09/10/2026

Discover, discuss and explore our local heritage and beyond with our unmissable season of artist talks and presentations, led by industry professionals, visiting academics and regional experts...

Upcoming artist talks include:

📅17 October, 1.30 - 3pm: The Omnicrisis: Power, Truth and Division with Liz Smith - This talk explores the idea that we are living through a single interconnected “omnicrisis”, shaping how we understand truth, power and each other.

📅23 October, 1.30 - 3.30pm: 'Is ‘Tomb Raider’ Archaeology?' With Christopher Lowman - Lara Croft is Derby’s pop-culture-famous archaeologist… but is what she does in video games and movies really archaeology?

📅14 November, 1.30 - 3pm: Sacred atmospheres and the healing potential of multisensory design in Islamic Art and Architecture with Saima Majid.

Discover more talks and book your tickets here: https://bit.ly/DMArtistTalksSeason

✨Workshop highlights✨ The workshop team have launched Friday morning sessions for makers in the studios!🧶The Studios hav...
08/10/2026

✨Workshop highlights✨

The workshop team have launched Friday morning sessions for makers in the studios!

🧶The Studios have lots of table space, laser cutters, sewing machines, overlockers, an embroidery machine and an industrial ironing board, with a vacuum and heated bed.

🧶Tables can be grouped together to work on full rolls of fabric, on makes such as curtains – and taller tables allow for easier pattern cutting.

🧶The team have experience in garment construction, pattern cutting and sewing machine use.

Every Friday morning, 10am – 1pm, the studios will now be open for Maker bookings:

Whether you need a piece of equipment, a large table space, or just a dedicated slot of time in your week for making, book yourself in for a Workshop and Studios induction and join our Friday Studio Sessions.

All you need to do is get inducted as a maker first then book your session.

If your are new to the Workshop, an Inducted Maker or just curious, our Workshop Newsletter and blog will keep you updated with stories, events and courses.

Read the blog post here: https://bit.ly/DM_WorkshopBlog

Sign up to the newsletter here: https://bit.ly/DM_NewsLetter

Become a maker at the Museum of Making: https://bit.ly/DMTheWorkshop

👀 Joseph Wright of Derby was fascinated by the act of looking, and his candlelight paintings make us look, too.Look clos...
07/10/2026

👀 Joseph Wright of Derby was fascinated by the act of looking, and his candlelight paintings make us look, too.

Look closely. Who is looking at whom? What can you see in the shadows?

✨ Wright of Derby: From the Shadows, is on display at Derby Museum and Art Gallery until 1 November.

What will you spot?

https://bit.ly/DMFromTheShadows

📢 EXCITING NEWS: the 'Field to Fashion' exhibition at the Museum of Making has been extended to 3 January 2027!🧶 This is...
06/10/2026

📢 EXCITING NEWS: the 'Field to Fashion' exhibition at the Museum of Making has been extended to 3 January 2027!

🧶 This is a must see if you love sustainable fashion and want to discover more about British wool!

Find out more about the exhibition and the project here: https://bit.ly/DMFieldtoFashion

The Field to Fashion project and exhibition is funded by Art Fund and Rolls-Royce, as part of our STEAM Learning programme and the exhibition was developed with support from John Smedley and British Wool.

Images (c): Chris Seddon Photography

Address

The Strand
Derby
DE11BS

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 12pm - 4pm

Telephone

+441332641901

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Derby Museums posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Museum

Send a message to Derby Museums:

Shortcuts

Share

Category