What’s On Events Calendar

Visit the Student Art Prize 2023/24 exhibition and explore this years theme of Paradise.

• Creative
• Everyone

When you think about the history of Durham, what comes to mind? Beautiful architecture, rich and powerful people and the history you find in textbooks. But how often do we stop and think about the lives of ordinary people? This exhibition explores the past of Durham through the ordinary people who lived and worked here.

• Exhibition
• Everyone

Have you ever looked at an ancient castle and wondered how it’s still standing? This exhibition will explore the history of construction and building conservation at Durham Castle, with a particular focus on the Norman Chapel Project, a long-term endeavour to preserve the oldest free-standing building in Durham.

• Exhibition
• Everyone

STRIKE is a new women-led public art collective in County Durham. Together they use public art to take up space without apology, saying farewell to the many ‘sorrys’ of the women who walked before them.

• Creative
• Everyone

Drawing on the objects and photographs of the main donors to the Korean collection at the Oriental Museum, Knitted Together details Richard and Joan Rutt’s 20 years living in South Korea in the immediate aftermath of the Korean War (1950 – 1953).

• Creative
• Exhibition
• Exhibitions
• Public
• Family friendly
• Everyone

The Feathers and the Feminine installation was created by members of Interface Arts in memory of their friend Carolyn Corfield, who passed away last year. A creative and dynamic member of the Durham based group, Carolyn primarily produced sculptural ceramics, some of which are on display as part of the installation.

• Exhibition
• Everyone

Find out how autumn is celebrated in China and make a super cute autumn decoration.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

Join us at the Oriental Museum on Wednesday mornings for Little Dragons, our FREE session for children under 5 and their families/carers. Each session will be packed full of exploring the museum galleries, fun craft activities, singing, games and stories.

• Creative
• Public
• Under 5s

Join us at the Oriental Museum on Wednesday mornings for Little Dragons, our FREE session for children under 5 and their families/carers. Each session will be packed full of exploring the museum galleries, fun craft activities, singing, games and stories.

• Creative
• Public
• Under 5s

A youth group for 12-18 year olds to learn practical art skills.

• Creative
• School students

From elephants to buffalo and monkeys, learn about the animals of South Asia and design your own animal mask.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

Come hang out with us and explore the vibrant world of Pop Art at our event "Meet the Art Collection: Pop Art"!

• Creative
• Everyone
• Lifelong Learners and Community groups
• School students
• Students in HE
• Young People

Robert will describe the main sacred Buddhist sites in India, illustrated by pictures taken while on pilgrimage. Ancient and modern temples mark significant events in the life of the Buddha, where Buddhists of all traditions still gather to practice and to celebrate. But in India things are often not quite what they seem!

• Lecture
• Friends of the Oriental Museum

Come along to a relaxed family activity session for neurodiverse children and their families.

• Accessible
• Creative
• Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
• Outreach & community
• Public
• Workshop
• Family friendly
• Children and families
• Everyone
• Teachers / Home Educators
• Young People

Join Sue Elsdon in the Glasshouse for a Autumn flower demonstration. 

• Creative

Come along and celebrate drawing and take your pencil for a walk! Try our epic drawing challenges in free mini sketchbook.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

Join us at the Oriental Museum on Wednesday mornings for Little Dragons, our FREE session for children under 5 and their families/carers. Each session will be packed full of exploring the museum galleries, fun craft activities, singing, games and stories.

• Creative
• Public
• Under 5s

Join us at the Oriental Museum on Wednesday mornings for Little Dragons, our FREE session for children under 5 and their families/carers. Each session will be packed full of exploring the museum galleries, fun craft activities, singing, games and stories.

• Creative
• Public
• Under 5s

Palace Green Library is open until 7pm on the 4th Thursday of every month.

• Accessible
• Exhibitions
• Lates
• Public
• Everyone

Join two of our conservation team as they discuss how and why they completed a collection storage survey across all University collections last year, and what their favourite objects were.

• Lecture
• Outreach & community
• Public
• Talks, training, seminars & conferences
• Everyone