National Museum of Scotland Releases Schedule of Events for Spring Season
By: Matt Smith Jan. 29, 2015
Exhibitions & Displays
National Museum of Scotland
Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF
New to the National Collection
19 September 2014-22 February 2015
Grand Gallery, Level 1
Free
From a rare beluga whale skull to a ground-breaking Electraglide guitar, a selection of exciting recent additions to the National Museums Scotland's collections will be on display for the first time in New to the National Collection. The display will give visitors an insight into National Museums' extensive and varied collections, showcasing material being collected now for future generations, including objects that will feature in ten forthcoming new galleries which on decorative art, design, fashion, science and technology.
Indian Encounters
14 November 2014-1 March 2015
Exhibition Gallery 2, Level 3
Free
Explore the changing relationships between Great Britain and India during the 18th and 19th centuries through the lives of two men with very different experiences of British imperial rule: Captain Archibald Swinton and Maharaja Duleep Singh. See the intricate miniature paintings collected by Captain Swinton, and the beautifully crafted jewellery once owned by Maharaja Duleep Singh, alongside a newly commissioned painting by renowned British artists The Singh Twins.
Game Masters
5 December 2014-20 April 2015
Exhibition Gallery 1, Level 3
Cost: Adults £10/£8; Child £6.50; Under 5s free; Family of 3 £23; Family of 4 £28; National Museums Scotland Members free; National Art Pass holders 50% discount; Students £5 (Tuesdays only)
Featuring over 100 playable games, Game Masters showcases the work of more than 30 leading videogame designers. The exhibition explores the development of videogames through interviews with game designers and rare original game artwork, as well as looking forward to how independently produced games are leading the way in design, aesthetics and game play.
Exhibition created by the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Melbourne, and supported by the Victorian Government.
Express Yourself
12 December 2014-29 March 2015
Exhibition Gallery 3, Level 1
Free
Jewellery is an incredibly powerful and personal form of expression. Whether the individual is a collector or designer, what they choose to buy, commission or create defines them. Discover more about those who are or were involved in collecting, commissioning or creating jewellery, including leading UK jewellers David Watkins and Wendy Ramshaw and fashion designer Jean Muir.
National War Museum
Edinburgh Castle, EH1 2NG
Open 09:45-17:45 daily
Next of Kin
18 April 2014-8 February 2015
Free with admission to Edinburgh Castle
1914 brought war to Scotland on an unprecedented scale. How did families cope with the absence and loss of their loved ones? Through a selection of family treasures, this exhibition reveals the profound personal experiences of Scottish families during the First World War, and the methods used to remember those they loved.
Next of Kin will tour eight venues around Scotland until 2018 and will be accompanied by digital and learning resources. Each venue will develop additional content related to their local areas which will be captured and preserved in an online resource. Find out more at www.nms.ac.uk/centenary
Supported by the Culture Division, Scottish Government and the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Helmand Return
27 February 2015-March 2016
Free with admission to Edinburgh Castle
Five years after his poignant exhibition Helmand: Faces of Conflict, renowned photographer Robert Wilson revisited Afghanistan as an official war artist to record the British troops' final tour of duty. The photographs allow a rare insight into the process of withdrawing from a war zone; capturing the essence of the human and logistical challenges faced during the transfer of responsibility and withdrawal.
Helmand Return is created by Robert Wilson, curated by Catherine Collins and Rhiannon Adam, and loaned by Gallery One and a Half.
Events/Activities
National Museum of Scotland
Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF
Open 10:00-17:00 daily
For Adults
Migration, Museums and Memorials
11-13 February
Seminar Room, Learning Centre, Level 4
Cost: £20, book online by 6 February
When, how, and why is Scotland's migration history represented in museums, galleries, and memorials and how does it compare with depictions of other movements including the Great Irish Famine, slavery, the holocaust, and refugee flows? How might Scottish portrayals of migration, at home and abroad, be influenced by representations of other migrant flows? What aspects of the Scottish migrant experience remain forgotten? How might scholarly interpretations influence museum practice and vice versa? This is the fourth seminar in the series Scotland's Diasporas In Comparative International Perspective, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (UK).
Museum Lates: Game Masters
13 February
19:00-22:30
Cost: Late + exhibition entry £20/£18; Late only £12/£10
This February our legendary Museum Lates enters the virtual world of the videogame. Play retro and modern games in our pop-up videogaming lounge, enjoy Pac-Man-inspired spoken word and game-related talks, or practice your Dance Central moves in the Silent Disco. Singstar wannabies will have to wait their turn, as live music comes courtesy of minimalist cosmic disco duo Happy Meals and electro-tinged pop performers Bdy_Prts. Get into the spirit of the evening by dressing up as your favourite videogame icon, or see the lovely people from Fantoosh Face Art for a gaming inspired makeover.
Museum Lates: Speed Dating
13 February
18:15-19:30
Cost: £12 (separate ticket required for Museum Lates entry)
Join us for our very first museum speed dating event - if you're between 25 and 35 and looking for a fellow culture vulture or someone who shares your love of silent discos then our Speed Date at the Late is for you!
The event will take place in the museum Brasserie in the Entrance Hall. There'll be 10 men, 10 women, 10 dates each and an epic Museum Late event to attend afterwards. Please be aware that you also need to purchase a ticket to the Late event - you won't be able to get into the museum otherwise.
Spotlight On: Indian Encounters
23 February
14:00-15:00 (doors open 13:45)
Seminar Room, Learning Centre, Level 4
Free, booking required
Explore the personal stories of Captain Archibald Swinton and Maharaja Duleep Singh and the objects they collected, and take a behind-the-scenes look at how our experts used scientific techniques to reveal the fascinating stories behind these objects.
Spotlight On: Game Masters
28 February
14:00-15:30 (doors open at 13:45)
Auditorium, Level1
Free, booking required
From the original Arcade Heroes to Scotland's current international success, Professor Gregor White, University of Abertay, leads you on an historical journey tracking the development of videogames, and taking a glimpse into what the future might hold.
Game Changers
5 Mar 2015
18:30-20:00
Auditorium, Level 1 via Lothian Street at rear of Museum
Free, booking required
Find out how a William Morris design inspired the making of a digital game. BAFTA winner Sophia George was the first games designer in residence at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Inspired by William Morris, she interpreted his iconic 'Strawberry Thief' design into a digital game. Join Sophia and guests to find out how game designers are shedding new light on our cultural heritage.
Spotlight On: Mary Slessor
8 March
14:00-15:30 (doors open at 13:45)
Auditorium, Level 1
Free, booking required
Join curator Sarah Worden and guests in a celebration of Mary Slessor's remarkable life on the centenary of her death. Mary Slessor promoted the rights of women and children and spread Christianity as a Scottish missionary in Nigeria in the 19th century. The day will focus on Mary Slessor's work in Calabar and the challenges women faced during that period both in 19th century Dundee and in Nigeria.
Part of International Women's Day on Sunday 8 March 2015.
For families
I'm Game!
14-22 February
Free (drop in)
You'll never be 'board' this half term with our playful family events programme all about games. Try your hand at games through the ages, have fun with crafty characters, complete our power-up challenge trail, learn space invader dance moves and more. Full details available at www.nms.ac.uk/imgame
Supported by players of People's Postcode Lottery.
March Magic Carpet Weekenders
7 March-29 March (Saturdays & Sundays only)
11:00-11:25
Meet at the Lighthouse Lens, Grand Gallery, Level 1
Free, places limited
Join us on the museum Magic Carpet for stories, songs and activities inspired by our fascinating collections.
Supported by players of People's Postcode Lottery.
Magic Carpet
Wednesday during term time
10:30 and 11:30 (25 mins)
Suitable for ages 2-4 (+ their adult)
Free - sign up on day at Info Desk, Entrance Hall, Level 0, as places are limited
The National Museum of Scotland's magic carpet introduces little ones to some of the fantastic things in the museum through 20 minutes of stories, songs and activities. Join us as the carpet visits a different gallery or theme every week. Look out for special guests too!
Supported by players of People's Postcode Lottery.
Magic Carpet Minis
Thursdays during term time
10:30 and 11:30 (20 mins)
Suitable for ages 0-2 (+ their adult)
Free - sign up on day at Info Desk, Entrance Hall, Level 0, as places are limited
Join the National Museum of Scotland for magic carpet sessions for really little ones and their adults. Go along for songs, stories, rhymes and objects in the unique museum setting.
Supported by players of People's Postcode Lottery.
Feely Fridays
Fridays during term time
13:30-16:30
Free, drop-in
Feely Fridays gives you the chance to explore our fascinating handling collections - from meteorites to mammals and Vikings to Victorians! Check out information screens on the day for details.
Supported by players of People's Postcode Lottery.
For everyone
Edinburgh Iranian Festival
7 February
Enjoy a day of music, fashion and debate inspired by Iran at National Museum of Scotland. Events programme includes:
Display of Ancient Iranian Garments
13:00-13:40
Grand Gallery, Level 1
Free, drop-in
Join us for a curator-led viewing of 18th and 19th century clothing and fabric samples from the Persian textile collection at National Museums Scotland, including richly decorated brocade coats and lavishly embroidered trousers. Based on floral elements, their patterns repeatedly show a droplet-shaped motif called boteh, Persian for bush, which is widely known in the West as Paisley pattern.
Azadeh
13:00-13:40
Grand Gallery, Level 1
Free, drop-in
Singer and songwriter Azadeh will bring her Persian heritage to life through her Persian Folk songs. Azadeh has supported blues legend Robert Cray as well as Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra. She will be accompanied for this performance by Ali Nourbakhsh on percussion, Nicole Robson on Cello and Chris Jerome on keyboard.
Persian Chic: Fashion Show
13:40-14:40
Grand Gallery, Level 1
Free, drop-in
Designers from around the world, including Naghmeh Kiumarsi, Zarir, Kourosh Gharbi, Sepideh Ahadi, Diba Mehrabi, Farish Alborzkouh, and Jessica Howarth, will showcase their exclusive designs influenced by Iranian art and culture.
Persian Chic: Contemporary Iranian Fashion Panel Discussion
15:00 - 16:00
Auditorium, Level 1
Free, drop-in, for age 14+
Join our panel as they discuss contemporary fashion in Iran and the influence of the country's beautiful woven, embroidered and printed fabrics on fashion and style across the world.
Daily tours
Join one of our free daily tours and spend an hour exploring some of the highlights of the National Museum of Scotland.
NEW! Discover the National Museum
Daily at 11:00 (1 hr)
Venue: Tours leave from the Meeting Point, Entrance Hall, Level 0
Free
From stunning Victorian architecture to the Lewis Chessmen, this tour will give you a flavour of all the National Museum of Scotland has to offer.
Scottish Galleries highlights tour
Daily at 13:00 (1 hr)
Free
Tours leave from the Meeting Point, Entrance Hall, Level 0
Follow the story of Scotland through fascinating objects on this highlights tour.
Themed tour
Daily at 15:00 (1 hr)
Tours leave from the Meeting Point, Entrance Hall, Level 0
Free
Looking for a more in-depth experience? We offer a wide range of themed tours. Ask at the information desk or check our website for forthcoming tour titles www.nms.ac.uk/tours
National Museum of Rural Life
Wester Kittochside, Philipshill Road, East Kilbride G76 9HR
Magic Carpet
7 January-1 April
Every Wednesday, 10:30-10:55
Suitable for ages 3-5 (+ their adult)
Included in museum admission
Explore life on the farm with a magical adventure on board the Magic Carpet. Discover life on the farm and in the countryside with 25 minutes of stories, songs and activities each Wednesday during term-time.
Magic Carpet Minis
7 January-1 April
Every Thursday, 10:30-10:55
Suitable for ages 0-2 (+ their adult)
Cost included in museum admission
Explore life on the farm with a magical adventure on board the Magic Carpet. Discover life on the farm and in the countryside with 25 minutes of stories, songs and activities each Thursday during term-time.
Willow Harvest
1 February
10:30 start
Free, ages 16+. To book call 0300 123 6789
Join willow artist Lise Bech and help her bring in this year's willow harvest at National Museum of Rural Life. Learn more about the variety of species we grow and how they are used. Equipment for the session and refreshments will be provided on the day. Please bring your own packed lunch and dress accordingly for the weather.
Listings are now available as RSS feeds:
National Museum of Scotland
National War Museum
National Museum of Rural Life
National Museum of Flight
Museum addresses:
National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF
National War Museum, Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, EH1 2NG
National Museum of Flight, East Fortune Airfield, East Lothian EH39 5LF
National Museum of Rural Life, Wester Kittochside, Philipshill Road, East Kilbride, G76 9HR
For booking, opening times and location details, contact National Museums Scotland on 0300 123 6789/www.nms.ac.uk
For images or any further information please contact the press office on 0131 247 4391 or emailmedia@nms.ac.uk
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