York Museums Trust

Events

An Introduction to Sashiko and Boro – Sun 19 Apr 2026

An Introduction to Sashiko and Boro

Date: Sunday 19 April 2026, 10:00 am-4:00 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

An Introduction to Sashiko and Boro
Sunday 19 April 2026 | 10am – 4pm
Suitable for ages 16+
An opportunity to learn the traditional Japanese textile mending method of ‘Sashiko and Boro’ stitching with artist Seiko Kinoshita. In this creative workshop you’ll be introduced to the basic techniques, using traditional tools and materials, and will create your own unique textile hanging to take home.
Sashiko means “little stabs” in Japanese or “little pierce” and is a way of decorating fabric by sewing small, repetitive stitches that started out of practical need during the Edo era (1615-1868) in Japan.
All materials and light refreshments are provided.
Participants aged under 18 must be accompanied by an adult

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Shakespeare and Rome – Tue 21 Apr 2026

Shakespeare and Rome

Date: Tuesday 21 April 2026, 1:30 pm-6:30 pm
Venue: Yorkshire Museum

Shakespeare and Rome
Tuesday 21 April 2026
1:30pm – 1.55pm | 3pm – 3.25pm
Included in general admission to the Yorkshire Museum | Book Tickets
Suitable for all ages

Celebrating York’s Roman history, inspired by Roman objects in the Yorkshire Museum, and performed on the historic mosaic floor, this short play ‘Friends, Romans, Yorkshiremen, Shakespeare, York and Rome’ explores questions of history and memory, and the importance of the seemingly insignificant – through the words of Shakespeare.

Shakespeare wrote four Roman plays and a long poem, all set in and around Rome, and the Roman empire. He also leant liberally on Roman writers such as Ovid and Plautus for context and comedy. During his education, he learnt about the recorded history of Roman rulers and leaders, and their battles, exploring questions of personal dilemma and individual responsibility.

‘Shakespeare and Rome’ is a collaborative project between York Museums Trust and York International Shakespeare Festival.

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Gallery Babies – Thu 23 Apr 2026

Gallery Babies

Date: Thursday 23 April 2026, 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Gallery Babies
Thursday 23 April 2026, 10am – 12pm
Free | Pre-booking required | Sold Out 
Burton Gallery

Drop-in sensory play sessions every Thursday during term-time, for pre-walking babies and their grown-ups, set in the atmospheric surroundings of York Art Gallery.

Using our beautiful sensory toolkit, a collection of colourful squishy sculptural objects, sessions will be gently facilitated, exploring shape, colour and texture.

Gallery Babies is a welcoming and supportive space to relax, bond with your baby and meet other parents and carers, providing a bit of calm and care to your daily routine.

The session starts at 10am and finishes at 12pm, but you can drop in and out at any time. Even after the session has finished, our sensory toolkit will remain on gallery for you to continue to explore with your baby.

These sessions are designed for pre-walking babies, however we understand that you may have your hands full with more than one child! If that’s the case the Studio will be open and can be used as a space to play, read and eat much needed snacks outside of the galleries if needed. Buggy parking and baby changing facilities available.

We are also offering a special offer in Sketch café for anybody attending a session: Hot drink and cake £7.00 and lunch and drink £15.00.

Please note: Gallery Babies admission includes free access to the permanent gallery spaces, tickets for temporary exhibitions require a separate admissions ticket. 

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Shakespeare and Rome – Sat 25 Apr 2026

Shakespeare and Rome

Date: Saturday 25 April 2026, 1:30 pm-3:30 pm
Venue: Yorkshire Museum

Shakespeare and Rome
Saturday 25 April 2026
1:30pm – 1.55pm | 3pm – 3.25pm
Included in general admission to the Yorkshire Museum | Book Tickets
Suitable for all ages

Celebrating York’s Roman history, inspired by Roman objects in the Yorkshire Museum, and performed on the historic mosaic floor, this short play ‘Friends, Romans, Yorkshiremen, Shakespeare, York and Rome’ explores questions of history and memory, and the importance of the seemingly insignificant – through the words of Shakespeare.

Shakespeare wrote four Roman plays and a long poem, all set in and around Rome, and the Roman empire. He also leant liberally on Roman writers such as Ovid and Plautus for context and comedy. During his education, he learnt about the recorded history of Roman rulers and leaders, and their battles, exploring questions of personal dilemma and individual responsibility.

‘Shakespeare and Rome’ is a collaborative project between York Museums Trust and York International Shakespeare Festival.

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Art for Wellbeing – Sun 26 Apr 2026

Art for Wellbeing

Date: Sunday 26 April 2026, 10:30 am-12:30 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Art for Wellbeing
Sunday 26 April 2026, 10.30am – 12.30pm
Suitable for ages 16+ Included in general admission | Booking not required

Art activities to release your creative energy!
Set in the beautiful surroundings of York Art Gallery’s Studio space, this 2-hour workshop gives opportunity for discovery and time to explore a variety of art materials and inspiring themes designed to promote wellbeing.
Enjoy the company of others, creating art with gentle guidance from artist Griselda Goldsbrough.
Please note: This practical art workshop is for ages 16+ and runs one Sunday each month. There is no need to pre-book for this session and it is suitable for all abilities.

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Gallery Babies – Thu 30 Apr 2026

Gallery Babies

Date: Thursday 30 April 2026, 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Gallery Babies
Thursday 30 April 2026, 10am – 12pm
Free | Pre-booking required | Sold out 
Burton Gallery

Drop-in sensory play sessions every Thursday during term-time, for pre-walking babies and their grown-ups, set in the atmospheric surroundings of York Art Gallery.

Using our beautiful sensory toolkit, a collection of colourful squishy sculptural objects, sessions will be gently facilitated, exploring shape, colour and texture.

Gallery Babies is a welcoming and supportive space to relax, bond with your baby and meet other parents and carers, providing a bit of calm and care to your daily routine.

The session starts at 10am and finishes at 12pm, but you can drop in and out at any time. Even after the session has finished, our sensory toolkit will remain on gallery for you to continue to explore with your baby.

These sessions are designed for pre-walking babies, however we understand that you may have your hands full with more than one child! If that’s the case the Studio will be open and can be used as a space to play, read and eat much needed snacks outside of the galleries if needed. Buggy parking and baby changing facilities available.

We are also offering a special offer in Sketch café for anybody attending a session: Hot drink and cake £7.00 and lunch and drink £15.00.

Please note: Gallery Babies admission includes free access to the permanent gallery spaces, tickets for temporary exhibitions require a separate admissions ticket. 

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Life Drawing – Model as Muse – Sat 2 May 2026

Life Drawing - Model as Muse

Date: Saturday 2 May 2026, 2:00 pm-4:00 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Life Drawing – Model as Muse
Saturday 2 May  2026, 2pm – 4pm
Adult only (18+) | £15 per person* | Book Tickets Here
*General admission to York Art Gallery is included.
Join us at York Art Gallery for Life Drawing Workshops; whether you are a regular participant, would like to hone your skills, or try life drawing for the first time. These 2-hour immersive Saturday sessions, led by York based artist and tutor Rob Oldfield, are a wonderful way to experience life drawing in a supportive and friendly environment.

Rob himself has modelled for life classes for many years, as well as teaching life drawing to his students. As workshop leader, Rob encourages, advises and listens, so come along and take advantage of his skills and experience.

Each month alongside our live model muse, there will be an appropriate reproduction of a work specially selected from the Art Gallery collection which we will reference to potentially inspire our activity.

Life Drawing Workshops take place on the second Saturday of each month, tickets will become available approximately a month in advance.

Important information:

Our Life Drawing sessions are suitable for adults only. By booking, you are confirming that you are over 18. Proof of age may be required.

Basic drawing materials will be supplied, but please feel free to bring your own too.

If you’re more than 15 minutes late for your workshop, unfortunately we may not be able to guarantee entry. This is to ensure that participants have the best experience.

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A Deeper Dive: How Japanese Prints Changed Western Art with Dr Helena Cox – Wed 6 May 2026

A Deeper Dive: How Japanese Prints Changed Western Art with Dr Helena Cox

Date: Wednesday 6 May 2026, 12:00 pm-12:30 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

‘A Deeper Dive: How Japanese Prints Changed Western Art’ with Dr Helena Cox
Wednesday 6 May 2026  | 12 noon – 12.30pm
Included in general admission | Book Tickets

Join Dr Helena Cox, Fine Art Curator at University of York to learn how Japanese art set off a craze towards the end of the 19th century among Western artists, painters and etchers from all over Europe, and how creatives exchanged knowledge and techniques.

Dr Cox will delve deeper into the mutual dialogues between European and Japanese art at the turn of the century, with special focus on the exhibited prints by Tsukioka Yoshitosi, whose work perfectly embodies these intercultural dialogues.

 

 

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Gallery Babies – Thu 7 May 2026

Gallery Babies

Date: Thursday 7 May 2026, 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Gallery Babies
Thursday 7 May 2026, 10am – 12pm
Free | Pre-booking required | Sold Out 
Burton Gallery

Drop-in sensory play sessions every Thursday during term-time, for pre-walking babies and their grown-ups, set in the atmospheric surroundings of York Art Gallery.

Using our beautiful sensory toolkit, a collection of colourful squishy sculptural objects, sessions will be gently facilitated, exploring shape, colour and texture.

Gallery Babies is a welcoming and supportive space to relax, bond with your baby and meet other parents and carers, providing a bit of calm and care to your daily routine.

The session starts at 10am and finishes at 12pm, but you can drop in and out at any time. Even after the session has finished, our sensory toolkit will remain on gallery for you to continue to explore with your baby.

These sessions are designed for pre-walking babies, however we understand that you may have your hands full with more than one child! If that’s the case the Studio will be open and can be used as a space to play, read and eat much needed snacks outside of the galleries if needed. Buggy parking and baby changing facilities available.

We are also offering a special offer in Sketch café for anybody attending a session: Hot drink and cake £7.00 and lunch and drink £15.00.

Please note: Gallery Babies admission includes free access to the permanent gallery spaces, tickets for temporary exhibitions require a separate admissions ticket. 

View event >

Art for Wellbeing – Sun 10 May 2026

Art for Wellbeing

Date: Sunday 10 May 2026, 10:30 am-12:30 pm
Venue: York Art Gallery

Art for Wellbeing
Sunday 10 May 2026, 10.30am – 12.30pm
Suitable for ages 16+ Included in general admission | Booking not required

Art activities to release your creative energy!
Set in the beautiful surroundings of York Art Gallery’s Studio space, this 2-hour workshop gives opportunity for discovery and time to explore a variety of art materials and inspiring themes designed to promote wellbeing.
Enjoy the company of others, creating art with gentle guidance from artist Griselda Goldsbrough.
Please note: This practical art workshop is for ages 16+ and runs one Sunday each month. There is no need to pre-book for this session and it is suitable for all abilities.

View event >

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