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Events
Browse through our events or click on the following sections to skip to the area you are interested in:
Mark Hearld: A First Book of Nature
Astronomy Events
Historic Library opening sessions
Channel 4 Talent day
Under Fives Activities
Family Saturdays- drop in art sessions for children
Garden Tours and Walks
Workshops
Curators' Talks
York Museums Trust Book Club
Finds Days - bring your archaeological objects to be identified,
Royal Salutes
Mark Hearld: A First Book of Nature
Join us for a lively series of events for families inspired by our new exhibition from 7 March - 6 May by York artist, Mark Hearld.
We've got a Family Fun Day and Easter Holiday activities lined up and you can also find out more about Mark and his work at the annual York Open Studios event.
Easter Holiday Fun
30 March - 14 April
Join us for two weeks of family activities in the upstairs Finds Lab, next to the exhibition, during the school holidays:
Lambs Tails and Cherry Blossom
30 March - 7 April
Decorating trees is not just for Christmas! Explore the excitement of spring as we make a variety of winter trees and decorate them with cherry blossom.
Arty Animals
8 - 14 April
Try your hand at making patchwork-paperwork creations based on animals in the collection.
York Open Studios
13, 14, 20 and 21 April
Mark will be opening his house and studio to the public during this annual arts festival. Check www.yorkopenstudios.co.uk for details.
Observatory Open Days
Thursdays and Saturdays, 11.30am - 2.30pm
Come and discover the oldest working observatory in Yorkshire.
The observatory was built in 1832 and 1833 and its 4in refractor telescope was built by York man Thomas Cooke in 1850 before he went on to make the then-largest telescope in the world. York played a crucial role in the development of astronomy in the 1780s when York-based astronomers John Goodricke and Edward Piggot laid the foundations of the study of stars of varying brightness.
Free entry.
(Please note these sessions are manned by trained volunteers and although we always do our best to open as planned, sometimes this is not possible.)
Historic Library
Open Tuesdays and Fridays, 1-4pm
Our historic library is a treasure trove of books about the natural world and human history.
Established by the Yorkshire Philosphical Society (YPS) in 1823, it houses about 42,000 volumes dating from 16th century to the present day.
Volunteers have been working hard to help re-catalogue and re-organise the historic books in the library over the last few years and we are now able to open it up for visitors to see on selected days.
On these days our historic library stewards will be on hand to talk about the part the library has played in York's history. You will be able to take a closer look at the volumes on display and browse beautiful images via our new touchscreen.
(Please note these sessions are manned by trained volunteers and although we always do our best to open as planned, sometimes this is not possible.)
Pre-school children and their parents/carers are invited to join us for a host of new activities tailored just for them.
For full details Download our Activities & Events for Under 5's brochure
Museum Monkeys
Saturdays 20, 27 April, 4, 11, 18 May, 10.30am - 11.30am
Wednesdays 5, 12, 19, 26 June and 3 July, 10.30am - 11.20am
Five-week blocks of activity sessions for one to five-year-olds and carers. A perfect introduction to the Yorkshire Museum with songs, stories, games, and lots of other fun activities.
Each week will have a different theme - see our brochure for details.
£4 per child per session - or book five sessions and get one free. Telephone 01904 650333 to book.
Garden Story Time
noon, 1pm, 2pm - free
Join us in the story telling area in York Museum Gardens for children's stories relating to the gardens and the museum.
Stick Man, 31 July
When will it be Spring? 7 August
Summer, 14 August
Ferdie and the falling leaves, 21 August
Jack Frost, 28 August
Stanley's Stick, 4 September
Singing Sessions
29 June, 6, 13 and 20 July, 2pm, 3pm - free
Interactive session with action songs for children and carers to join in - in the museum.
Work with a real artist in our fun, family drop-in art workshops. Everyone welcome.
These sessions are for accompanied children, with a £1 charge per child to cover the cost of materials. Sponsored by the Friends of York Art Gallery.
Animals and Birds
4 May, 11am-1pm and 2-4pm
Draw some animals and birds using examples from our taxidermy collection.
Guided Tours of York Museum Gardens
Every Sunday, noon
Enjoy the gardens in the company of one of our Garden Guides looking at the planting and the history of the buildings in the gardens. Meet by the main gates of the Museum Gardens on Museum Street.
Free, no need to book.
Spring Flora
9 May, 3pm- 3.45pm
Join the Gardens Manager to learn more about spring-flowering plants in the garden and how to care for them.
Free. Telephone 01904 650333 to book.
Spring Fauna
16 May, 3pm - 3.45pm
Join our Assistant Curator of Natural Sciences as you take a guided stroll around the gardens to find out about the different types of species you can expect to find at this time of year.
Free. Telephone 01904 650333 to book.
Summer Flora
11 July, 3pm - 3.45pm
Join the Gardens Manager to learn more about summer-flowering plants in the garden and how to care for them.
Free. Telephone 01904 650333 to book.
Summer Fauna
18 July, 3pm - 3.45pm
Join our Assistant Curator of Natural Sciences as you take a guided stroll around the gardens to find out about the different type of species you can expect to find at this time of year.
Free. Telephone 01904 650333 to book.
Please note that all workshops with a charge should be paid for when making a booking (unless otherwise stated in the information below). If you need to cancel, we will refund your payment as long as you contact us at least 24 hours before the starting time of the event. We reserve the right to cancel any events if there are insufficient bookings.
Pieces of the Past - Conservation Workshop
14 April, 10.30am - 12.30pm
Enjoy a hands-on morning learning about the conservation techniques that go behind the scenes at the museum. No experience necessary and all materials provided. Led by Danai Koutromkanou, a PhD student from the University of York.
Free. Telephone 01904 650333 to book.
Lino Printing
20 April, 10am - 3pm
Learn and practise the skills involved in lino printing, taking inspiration from the museum's beautiful collection of medieval tiles and butterfly specimens, with artist Kirstie Briggs-Bateman.
£15 per person. Telephone 01904 650333 to book.
Sew and Sew Sundays
28 April, 26 May, 30 June and 28 July, 11am - 1pm
Whether you're a beginner or have a craft skill to share, this informal group could be for you. Each week there will be a demonstration and an opportunity to try out a yarn or textile technique. Or you can just enjoy making something in good company. Tea and coffee will be provided.
Free. Telephone 01904 650333 to book.
Drawing and Painting
Wednesdays 8, 15 and 22 May, 5, 12, 19 and 26 June, 3, 10 and 17 July
1pm - 3pm
A 10-week course of drawing and painting suitable for absolute beginners as well as those with some experience, led by Claire Douglas. All adult learners welcome - please let us know if you may need additional support. There is no charge for accompanying carers.
Full cost: £85 per person; Pensioners: £65. To book a place, telephone 01904 552806, email adult.education@york.gov.uk or visit www.yortime.org.uk
Botanical Art
11 and 12 May, 10.30am - 4pm
Join botanical artist Bridget Gillespie for an informal and relaxed weekend course suitable for both beginners and the more experienced painter.
Learn about design and composition and how to create a well-balanced illustration. Be guided through the techniques necessary for drawing and painting your own Botanical picture.
Understand the historical importance of botanical illustration by looking at original examples from manuscripts held in the Yorkshire Museum's library collection including pressed plant specimens.
£45 per person for two days. There is a recommended equipment list that accompanies this course. Telephone 01904 650333 to book.
Life Drawing in Oils
18 and 19 May, 10am - 3pm
Working with experienced artist and tutor, Laraine Simpson, participants will complete both preparatory and finished work in oil paints over two days.
£60 per person for two days. There is a recommended equipment list that accompanies this course. To book, telephone 01904 552806, email adult.education@york.gov.uk or visit www.yortime.org.uk
Flint Knapping
2 June, 10am - 12.30pm and 1.30pm - 4pm
Learn the unique art of flint knapping, the technique used by prehistoric people to make their survival tools, with expert tuition from Karl Lee.
Students are guaranteed to take home a replica prehistoric tool that they have made! All materials and tools provided.
NB The afternoon session is a repeat of the morning session.
£15 per person. To book, telephone 01904 650333.
Chemistry, Collections and Conservation
15 June, 10am - 3pm
Join curators and learning staff at the museum to find out why an understanding of chemistry is essential to caring for our internationally significant natural science collections. See examples of conservation, good and bad, and learn about the effects of the environment on our specimens.
Free. Telephone 01904 650333 to book.
Watercolours: Landscape and Gardens
22 June, 10am - 4pm
Suitable for learners of all abilities, join tutor Tony Mosley and learn tips and techniques used for producing landscape paintings in water colour. Using the York Museum Gardens as inspiration you will be shown how to paint cloudy skies and trees whilst touching on colour mixing and perspective. Bring your own materials such as paints, paper and brushes. Seating provided.
£30 per person, per day. To book a place, telephone 01904 552806, email adult.education@york.gov.uk or visit www.yortime.org.uk.
Watercolours: St Mary's Abbey in Watercolour
23 June, 10am - 4pm
Suitable for learners of all abilities. Using the Medieval architecture in the York Museum Gardens as inspiration, join tutor Tony Mosley for demonstrations and practical exercises.
Learn tips and techniques for producing landscape paintings in watercolour. Concentrating on colour mixing and bringing perpective to St Mary's Abbey you will also cover; washes for skies, the importance of tone, further tips on colour mixing and painting shadows. Bring your own materials such as paints, paper and brushes. Seating provided.
£30 per person per day. To book a place, telephone 01904 552806, email adult.education@york.gov.uk or visit www.yortime.org.uk
Location and Macro Digital Photography
6 July, 10am - 4pm
Learn to use your digital camera more creatively and go beyond using the 'easy modes'. Create better quality, more imaginative images using the landscape and architecture of the York Museum Gardens in the summer time.
Take macro images of the beautiful and rare artefacts from the museum's collection and learn basic ways of using Photoshop Elements to see how images can be edited and enhanced to improve them. With professional photographer and tutor John Potter. For beginners and improvers.
£25 per person, per day. To book a place, telephone 01904 552806, email adult.education@york.gov.uk or visit www.yortime.org.uk
Learn Latin!
27 July, 10.30am - noon
Join Peter Turton to learn some of the basics in this taster session. Understand your language better and see how much Latin features in our everyday life. Enjoy the opportunity to see examples of handwritten Latin text from samples kept in our newly refurbished library.
Free. To book a place, telephone 01904 650333.
All these lunchtime talks are free (aside from usual admission charge) and run from 12.30pm - 1pm, no need to book.
Human Remains - Find out how some of York's ancient inhabitants met their end.
16 April
York Art Gallery Development - Update on progress and the programme while the gallery is closed
8 May
Introduction to the Library - Be one of the first to see our newly refurbished library
14 May
Remains of the Day - Animals and their uses in Medieval York
4 June
Gideon Mantell - Dinosaur Detective
18 June
Eboracum - A potted history of Roman York
2 July
Prehistory in Yorkshire - Star Carr
16 July, 12.30pm - 2pm (part of the Festival of Archaeology)
Volcano Chaser - The life of Tempest Anderson
6 August
Ceramics at York Art Gallery - a closer look at future ceramic exhibitions and displays
14 August
Lectures
Volcanoes, volcanic ash and future air travel - The science behind the disruption to aviation and how we can cope better next time
Professor Stephen Mobbs, National Centre for Atmospheric Science
Friday 19 July 2013 at 7:30pm
Tempest Anderson Hall, Yorkshire Museum
FREE EVENT
When the Icelandic volcanoes Eyjafjallajokull and Grimsvotn erupted in 2010 and 2011, much of UK airspace was closed for six days. Why was the interruption to air travel so widespread and why is it that most of us had never experienced such an event before? Professor Stephen Mobbs will explain the science behind the airspace closure, the observations which were made in 2010 and 2011 and how all this has contributed to much improved readiness for the next eruption.
York Museums Trust Book Club
Second Saturday of the Month, 3pm - 4.30pm, various venues
A Book Club with a difference - all these books have been chosen to highlight aspects of York Museums Trust's historic collections. As well as discussing each month's book, every Book Club session includes an opportunity to handle or get close to collection objects.
Free, but please book by telephoning 01904 650333.
Books, dates and venues
A Kestrel for a Knave by Barry Hines by Barry Hines
13 April, at York Castle Museum
And our Faces, My Heart, Brief as Photos by John Berger
11 May, York St Mary's
The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M Auel
8 June, Yorkshire Museum
Drawing Fire: The Diary of a Great War Soldier and Artist by Len Smith
13 July, York Castle Museum
Finds Days
All 10am - 1pm, in the Yorkshire Museum reception area.
Bring your archaeological object to show our experts from the Portable Antiquities Scheme.
6 April, 2013
1 June
3 August
5 October
7 December
22 April, 3, 10 and 15 June, 14 November - all at noon
The Museum Gardens hosts regular military gun salutes to mark significant dates in the Royal Family's calendar. These are organised by the Army's York Garrison at Imphal Barracks.
