Bradford’s National Science and Media Museum has set its reopening date for 8 January. Its IMAX will relaunch earlier, on 20 December.
The UK museum closed in June 2023 for a major refurbishment. Its £6 million ‘Sound and Vision’ project includes two new permanent galleries, a new passenger lift, and improvements to the main entrance and foyer.
The National Science and Media Museum will celebrate its reopening weekend in January through a partnership with Aardman, offering film screenings, model making workshops, and more.
Visitors will experience the museum’s new foyer, which includes a redesigned shop and the Media Café, as well as the additional passenger lift.
After reopening to coincide with Bradford’s year as UK City of Culture, the museum will debut a new temporary exhibition, ‘David Hockney: Pieced Together’, on 15 January.
Jo Quinton-Tulloch, director of the National Science and Media Museum, said: “With newly transformed spaces, improved accessibility and exciting additions to our public programme, it marks the beginning of an extraordinary journey for both the museum and our community.
“As the year unfolds, we will unveil more exciting improvements to the museum, culminating in the summer with the launch of our spectacular Sound and Vision galleries.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to be reopening the museum with the backdrop of an amazing Bradford 2025 programme, making this a once-in-a-lifetime moment.”
David Hockney temporary exhibition
As above, the museum’s new ‘Sound and Vision’ galleries will launch in summer 2025 and will celebrate all elements of the permanent collection.
Additionally, the former Games Lounge has been relocated and transformed into Power Up. This opens in March and offers a hands-on gaming experience.
As part of the Bradford 2025 programme, award-winning art collective Marshmallow Laser Feast is creating a new immersive installation for the museum’s temporary galleries. This is set to debut in April.
As for the museum’s IMAX, this will reopen on 20 December with screenings of Mufasa: The Lion King.
Images courtesy of National Science and Media Museum
