Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
Queen's Road
Bristol
City of Bristol
BS8 1RL
England
Website
General enquiries
Telephone
0117 922 3571
Fax
0117 922 2047
Bristol’s premier museum and art gallery houses important collections of minerals and fossils, natural history, eastern art, world wildlife, Egyptology, archaeology and fine and applied art.
Venue Type:
Museum, Gallery
Additional info
For a reminder of your visit, the Museum shop contains award-winning merchandise, including reproduction prints from the Art Gallery's collections, greetings cards, a wide range of books for all ages and interests, unusual gifts and Bristol-branded gifts to name just a few. To view the stock and for more information, visit the Museum Shop web page.
The Geology, Applied Art and Eastern Art collections at Bristol's City Museum & Art Gallery are Designated Collections of national importance.
Among the Designated applied art collections with a strong Bristol connection are important collections of delftware and glass. Also designated are Bristol's geology collections and fine and applied arts from the Far East, including the celebrated Schiller Collection.
Part of Bristol Museums’ Designated Collections related to Bristol’s role as a manufacturing city and major seaport is on display here. Other parts of these collections can be seen at Georgian House, Red Lodge, and Blaise Castle House Museum. Please contact Bristol Museums for more information if you wish to see a specific item.
At Bristol's City Museum & Art Gallery there is a choice of galleries situated upstairs full of artworks: Old Masters, French School, British Collection, Modern Art and the Bristol School.
Alongside in the adjoining galleries, the decorative arts collections can be found: Eastern Art, Ceramics, Silverware and Glassware. On the lower floors - a fine collection of glittering minerals, ancient fossils and a large archaeology gallery showing the South West's geographic formation. Close by is the World Wildlife Gallery containing many examples of endangered or extinct animals, including the much-loved Alfred the Gorilla.
The popular Egyptology gallery contains real mummies besides other items and situated next door is the hugely impressive wall decoration made over 3,000 years ago - the Assyrian Reliefs. A natural history gallery contains examples of aquatic habitats in the south west of England and an interactive map of local wildlife sites and a freshwater aquarium containing fish typical of the region. Throughout the Museum and Art Gallery material from other countries can be seen, including pottery and clothing.
Collection details
Science and Technology, Religion, Photography, Natural Sciences, Fine Art, Decorative and Applied Art, Costume and Textiles, Coins and Medals, Aviation, Archaeology
Key artists and exhibits
- Old Masters, French School, British Collection, Modern Art and the Bristol School
- Eastern Art, Ceramics, Silverware and Glassware
- Archaelogy / fossils
- Egyptology / mummies
- Assyrian Reliefs
- Pottery and clothing
- Natural history
- Endangered or extinct animals, including the much-loved Alfred the Gorilla
- Designated Collection
Maria Thereza Alves - Seeds of Change: A Floating Ballast Seed Garden
Working with Brazilian artist Maria Thereza Alves, designer Gitta Sschwendtner and the University of Bristol Botanic Garden, Arnolfini has utilised a disused grain barge to create a Ballast Seed Garden, visible from Castle Park and accessible through a public art programme
Suitable for
- Any age
Exhibition: No Borders: Contemporary art in a globalised world
No Borders is a major exhibition of international contemporary art featuring artists from the Middle East, Asia and Africa. No Borders reflects upon the globalised conditions of the world today and the particular histories and contexts that inform current art practices. The exhibition presents the monumental Ton of Tea by globally-renowned Ai Weiwei, photographic portraits of sugar-cane cutters by Zwelethu Mthethwa and a video meditation on the Partition of India by Amar Kanwar. 14 artists explore globalisation, histories, migration, the city and conflict.The work is powerful, poetic and challenging, locating Bristol as a point of connection in a dynamic and rapidly changing web of global relations, mobility and exchange.Part of the Global to Local series of exhibitions, 2012-14.Global to Local presents the new collection of international contemporary art developed by Bristol Museum and Art Gallery in partnership with Arnolfini presented by the Art Fund under Art Fund International.
Admission
Free
No Borders - Contemporary art in a globalised world
No Borders is a major exhibition of international contemporary art featuring artists from the Middle East, Asia and Africa.
The exhibition reflects upon the globalised conditions of the world today and the histories and contexts that inform current art practices.
No Borders presents the monumental Ton of Tea by globally-renowned Ai Weiwei, photographic portraits of sugar-cane cutters by Zwelethu Mthethwa and a video meditation on the Partition of India by Amar Kanwar.
14 artists explore globalisation, histories, migration, the city and conflict. The work is powerful, poetic and challenging, locating Bristol as a point of connection in a dynamic and rapidly changing web of global relations, mobility and exchange.
Part of the Global to Local series of exhibitions, 2012-14. Global to Local presents the new collection of international contemporary art developed by Bristol Museum and Art Gallery in partnership with Arnolfini presented by the Art Fund.
Suitable for
- Any age
Where
Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
Admission
Admission Free. Recommended donation £2.
Website
Exhibition: Pharaoh: King of Egypt
Pharaoh: King of Egypt presents the splendour and power of the ancient kings and queens in this major touring exhibition from the British Museum.
Encounter life-size statues and sculptures from royal palaces, beautifully carved stone reliefs from ancient temples and intricate jewellery and papyri.
While many of the surviving objects project the image pharaoh wanted us to see, the exhibition invites you to explore the realities and challenges of ruling this dynamic and unique civilisation.
After a blockbuster tour around the UK, this is the final chance to see these amazing treasures outside of London. Don’t miss out!
Suitable for
- Any age
Where
Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
Admission
Adult: £5.00 Child: £3.00 Concession and OAP: £4.00
Family Ticket £10 (2 adults and 2 children or 1 adult and 3 children)
Website
http://www.bristol.gov.uk/page/leisure-and-culture/pharaoh-king-egypt-exhibition
Pharaoh: King of Egypt
This exhibition features highlights from the British Museum’s superb collection of ancient Egyptian objects. The exhibition is the largest UK loan of Egyptian artefacts ever undertaken by the British Museum showcasing wonderful examples of sculpture, jewellery, jewellery, palace ornamentation, papyri and funerary objects.
While many of the surviving objects project the image pharaoh wanted us to see, the exhibition also explores the realities and challenges of ruling this dynamic and unique civilisation. The role of kingship in ancient Egypt is explored.
Also on display will be Bristol Museum & Art Gallery’s exceptional collection of rare Belzoni watercolours explaining the layout and decoration of the tomb of pharaoh Sety I and tomb objects. These will be displayed in Temporary Exhibitions Gallery 2 on the second floor.
Suitable for
- Any age
Admission
5/£4 concession. Children £3 (under 5 years Free)
Family, school and group discounts available.
Special free entry days – dates TBC
Website
Roman Empire: Power & People
Empire: Roman Power & People will be a unique touring exhibition, combining some of the most fascinating objects from the British Museum’s collections of Roman, Romano-British and Romano-Egyptian material, never before displayed together in this way. It will explore the story of the Roman Empire and its impact both locally in Britain and much further a field in the East. It will provide the opportunity for visitors across the UK to see these objects in their local areas for the first time.
The exhibition will contain over 70 British Museum pieces on display. The Museum will also be displaying Roman and Romano-British material from its own collections.
Suitable for
- Any age
Admission
£5/£4 concession. Children £3 (under 5 years Free)
Family, school and group discounts available.
Special free entry days – dates TBC
Website
Exhibition: Roman Empire: Power and People
Roman Empire: Power and People will be a unique touring exhibition, combining some of the most fascinating objects from the British Museum's collections of Roman, Romano-British and Romano-Egyptian material, never before displayed together in this way. It will explore the story of the Roman Empire and its impact both locally in Britain and much further a field in the East. It will provide the opportunity for visitors across the UK to see these objects in their local areas for the first time. The exhibition will contain over 70 British Museum pieces on display. The Museum will also be displaying Roman and Romano-British material from its own collections.
Admission
Adult: £5.00 Child: £3.00 Concession and OAP: £4.00
Pharaoh: reborn
Watercolours by Italian explorer Giovanni Belzoni of the tomb of Pharaoh Sety I. The display will show the journey of the pharaoh after death through the underworld.
Suitable for
- Any age
Where
Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, Second Floor
Admission
Free
Website
Bristol Museum’s Egypt collection
A closer look at some of the themes and objects on display in the Egypt gallery, and the ancient Egyptians who made and used them.
When
1-2pm
Where
Meet at Reception desk
Admission
Free. Book on Reception on the day.
Website
Ancient Egypt discovery day
Handle real Egyptian objects, find out more on a store tour and join in with Egyptian themed craft activities.
Suitable for
- Family friendly
When
11am-3pm
Described tour of Pharaoh: King of Egypt
A special Egypt focussed tour for hearing impaired visitors.
When
From 5pm
Admission
Free of charge.
Places must be booked in advance on 0117 922 3571
Website
http://www.bristol.gov.uk/page/leisure-and-culture/pharaoh-king-egypt-exhibition
Egypt And Art
Discover the impact ancient Egypt had on 19th century art and culture. Book at reception on the day.
Suitable for
- Any age
- Family friendly
When
1-2pm
Where
Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
Life, death and afterlife of a pharaoh: study day
Examine what it meant to be ‘Pharaoh’ in ancient Egypt. This day school will begin by considering the roles and responsibilities of a pharaoh in life. Watercolour paintings of the tomb of Sety I will be used to explore the complex beliefs about pharaoh’s death, burial and journey to everlasting life with the gods. The day finishes with a behind-the-scenes tour of the world cultures stores.
When
11am-4:30pm
Admission
£25 per day. Booking essential
A limited number of places are available on these so book now to avoid disappointment! Please telephone Kate Iles on 0117 922 3459 or email kate.iles@bristol.gov.uk to check availability and secure your place before sending a booking form.
Website
Archaeology Day School: An Introduction To Archaeology Methods
Discover the truth behind Time Team! Join Bristol Museum’s own field archaeologists to find out about archaeological methods and techniques. Get involved in the post excavation process and learn how an archaeological survey is carried out. Plus take an archaeological tour of Castle Park.
Please note, this even takes place at St Nicholas Church, St Nicholas Street, Bristol, BS1 1UE.
When
10am-4:30pm
Admission
£35 per person
Limited places. Booking essential.
Reserve your place by calling Kate Iles on 0117 922 3450 or e-mail kate.iles@bristol.gov.uk
Website
http://www.bristol.gov.uk/page/leisure-and-culture/archaeology-museum-collection
Go Behind The Scenes - Ancient Egypt Store Tour
Tours last 30 mins. Book your place on the day. Suitable for age 7+.
Suitable for
- Family friendly
- Any age
When
12-12:30pm
Go Behind The Scenes - Ancient Egypt Store Tour
Tours last 30 mins. Book your place on the day. Suitable for age 7+.
Suitable for
- Family friendly
- Any age
When
1-1:30pm
Go Behind The Scenes - Ancient Egypt Store Tour
Tours last 30 mins. Book your place on the day. Suitable for age 7+.
Suitable for
- Family friendly
- Any age
When
11-11:30am
Egypt And Art
Discover the impact ancient Egypt had on 19th century art and culture. Book at reception on the day.
Suitable for
- Any age
- Family friendly
When
1-2pm
Where
Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
Egypt and science : the life of the sacred scarab
A closer look at the natural history of the scarab beetle.
When
1-2pm
Admission
Book at Reception on the day
Website
Egypt and science : the life of the sacred scarab
A closer look at the natural history of the scarab beetle.
When
From 1pm
Admission
Book at Reception on the day
Website
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