Explore! gallery

We have worked closely with local community members to reimagine Explore Gallery with fresh perspectives and stories about museum objects, which span natural history, archaeology, and ethnography. 

The Gallery features three key themes: 'Origins' looks at life on Earth over the past 300 million years alongside the history of the Museum. 'Empire' examines the human and environmental impact of empires across space and time. ‘New Perspectives’ presents some case studies from the collections to demonstrate how museums are changing through new research, community engagement and more transparency. The Gallery also includes a reflective space where visitors can pause and share memories, ideas, perspectives, and knowledge.  

Community group participants Geoffrey, Ken, Johurun, Nneoma, Rose and Shabnam agreed: "We want the Museum to be a living museum. To be open to sharing, learning, changing and evolving. It is now time to tell different, more complete stories as we look towards the future."   

The reimagining of Explore Gallery was a collaborative effort involving Museum staff and a steering group from local communities. It was made possible with funding from the Esmée Fairbairn Collections Fund, managed by the Museums Association. Knowledge was contributed by the Natural History Society of Northumbria, the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle upon Tyne, and Newcastle University. The Gallery was designed by Abi Wright.