Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery (BMAG) first opened in 1885. It is housed in a Grade II* listed city centre landmark building. There are over 40 galleries to explore that display art, applied art, social history, archaeology and ethnography:
Design
Design
Most of what we see in the world which is man-made is there by design, whether that be good or bad is a matter of opinion, but it is a crucial aspect of this subject that both the creative and logistical sides of the topic are discussed in full. Undertaking trips is a great way to generate debate, inspire students creatively and also make them think about implications of things such as location, weather, longevity, colour, shape, materials, texture interaction with the surrounding environment, design history, fashion and fads.
Trips for design are very often either practical workshops or visits to museums, buildings or venues which have exhibits or themselves designed to inspire students to think creatively or logistically. Great examples include a trip to the Victoria and Albert museum in London, to view the Eden Project in Cornwall or the Sage arena in Gateshead from a design perspective.
Often trips will lead to major follow-up projects in the classroom which will include both practical and theoretical session, and other topics such as Physics or Technology can be involved.
Due to the nature of the practical sessions which often take place on design-based trips, the implications for safety are very important and increased attention should be paid to the suitability fo the activities, the tools being used and also ensuring the students are well-briefed, wear any protective equipment or clothing at all times and behave themselves.
Or you could be inspired by visiting design icons such as the Tate Modern, the Saatchi Gallery or even the studios of Aardman Animations.
Main organisations:
Design and Technology Association (DATA)
National Society for Education in Art and Design
British Institute of Interior Design
Inclusion: NASEN
Venues for this Curriculum
The history of Birkenhead goes back beyond Victorian years. The oldest standing building on Merseyside, Birkenhead Priory encapsulates so much of the town's history within a small, enclosed site. Founded in 1150, the monks of this Benedictine monastery looked after travellers for nearly 400 years and supervised the first regulated 'Ferry 'cross the Mersey'.
The Last Working Mill in Yorkshire
Skidby Mill is a working four-sailed tower windmill, the last working mill in Yorkshire. It is set in an acre of land and has magnificent views over the Wolds. The mill is unusual in still having all its original outbuildings around the courtyard. Some of these buildings have been converted to form the Museum of East Riding Rural Life.
The Beverley Guildhall is a Grade 1 listed building which has had a long and fascinating history. Originally purchased by the Beverley town keepers in 1501, it has been in continuous civic use since then. Today it is run as a historic building and community museum but is still used for ceremonial civic occasions.
The East Riding Treasure House is a heritage centre providing museum, library and archive facilities under one roof, plus access to the adjoining Edwardian exhibition spaces of the Beverley Art Gallery. The Treasure House tower provides splendid views over the rooftops of Beverley.
Learning
Have fun and learn about the history of Berwick-Upon-Tweed as you walk through the alleys of the old town recreated in the Window on Berwick displays. Meet some of its fascinating characters and find out about the old ways of life including the Mayor’s power to sentence to death!
Made famous by John ‘Iron Mad’ Wilkinson, a leading figure in the Industrial Revolution, the once noisy Bersham Ironworks now nestles quietly in the attractive Clywedog Valley, two miles outside Wrexham in north-east Wales.
School history workshops for KS2 - KS3 pupils.
A family home for 500 years
Situated on a plateau above the gorge of the River Severn, this fine stone house has mullioned and transomed windows, a stunning interior with carved oak staircase and decorated plaster ceilings and oak panelling.
Castle built by one of Scotland’s most powerful families, the Crichtons
Built in the 15th century by one of Scotland’s most powerful families, the Crichtons, Blackness was never destined as a peaceful lordly residence; its enduring roles were those of garrison fortress and state prison.
Highlights
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Blackness Castle stands in for Fort William in series one of the TV show Outlander.
Pleasure palace of the royal Stewarts
Built and developed over two centuries by successive Stewart kings of Scotland, Linlithgow Palace was a comfortable and attractive retreat from affairs of state, conveniently placed between Stirling and Edinburgh. Both James V and his daughter Mary Queen of Scots were born here, overlooking the tranquil beauty of the loch and peel (park).
Burial site dating to 3,000 BC
Cairnpapple was used from about 3,000 BC to 1400 BC firstly as a ceremonial site then several centuries later as a burial site.
Cairnpapple Hill is located 5km north of Bathgate, 2km from Torphichen.
Highlights
Glorious gardens surround this baroque mansion with National Portrait Gallery paintings
Inspired by his Grand Tour, John Bourchier created Beningbrough, an Italian Palace nestled between York, Harrogate and Leeds. The impressive rooms are a perfect backdrop for the rich collection of portraits on loan from the National Portrait Gallery, Beningbrough’s long-term partner.
The Ben Uri Collection is the world's most distinguished body of work by artists of European Jewish descent.
Schools
Ben Uri is dedicated to providing inclusive learning programmes for schools, families, communities and adult learners.
Why not pop along and see this stunning building which tells the story of its former residents.
From the Cluniac Monks in the 13th Century to the Victorian Scratton family, the last people to live in this wonderful home.
The Higgins Bedford unites on one site three previous cultural venues : Cecil Higgins Art Gallery, Bedford Museum and Bedford Gallery. The buildings themselves date back 200 years and have their own rich history of occupation and use, even before they became used for their more recent cultural past.
The Tower is an extraordinary building that stands today as the only surviving example of William Beckford’s great architectural achievements.
The Beaney is an Art Museum and Library situated in the heart of the historic city of Canterbury. This fabulous new facility provides state of the art exhibition galleries, a brand new
Formerly the home of the Wright-Taylor family, Baysgarth House has been in public ownership since 1930. In 2004 Champ Ltd took over the management of the house including its buildings, museum, collections and archives. Baysgarth House Museum celebrates the lives of local people through permanent and temporary exhibitions and projects.
Set within the beautiful, originally Elizabethan, walled gardens of The Almonry, Battle Museum of Local History preserves and exhibits hundreds of fascinating artefacts from the town's past, including objects from prehistoric and Roman times to the world's oldest effigy of Guy Fawkes and items from the two World Wars.
An 18th-century house, a 1950s home
Basildon Park, a Georgian mansion surrounded by parkland, was lovingly rescued by Lord and Lady Iliffe in the mid 1950s. The house you see today is a re-creation and restoration of the 18th-century mansion. They restored the elegant interior and scoured the country salvaging 18th-century architectural fixtures and fittings.
Britain's last surviving working Roundhouse
Whatever your memories of Britain’s railways you’ll be amazed at what you can see at Barrow Hill and its preserved Roundhouse.
Throughout each year the galas feature working steam and diesel locomotives, which are often joined by a variety of visiting steam and modern diesel locomotives off the main line.
Climb to the top of this 1000 year old Norman Castle for stunning panoramic views across Sussex.
The adjoining Barbican House is home to the Museum of Sussex Archaeology and houses local collections from the Stone Age to medieval times. A mini-cinema tells the story of Lewes from prehistoric to Victorian times.
The Barber Institute of Fine Arts is housed in one of Birmingham’s finest Art Deco buildings, purpose built and opened by Queen Mary in 1939.
Restored to its Edwardian glory, Bantock House is a hidden treasure set within 43 acres of parkland and surrounded by delightful formal gardens.
Banbury Museum is a great museum full of local interest with a range of activities for kids of all ages.
There are prize trails for all ages, plus Drawing for All, activity backpacks for 3 to 5 year olds and Craft Activities through the ArtCart.
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