maxwell museums @maxwellmuseums.bsky.social · 28/09/2026Nandy: "I’m delighted that we’re continuing that transformative policy pioneered by the last Labour government, opening up access to our excellent museums for generations.” SoS announced the commitment to free entry at an event hosted by Art Fund at Tate Liverpool during the Labour conference 000
maxwell museums @maxwellmuseums.bsky.social · 28/09/2026Lisa Nandy, Culture Secretary, said: “Our museums are the places that light up the world. They remind of us our shared history, and enable us to step outside the confines of our lives. There is something incredibly special about that. "That’s why they must be free, forever, for everyone to access. 121
maxwell museums @maxwellmuseums.bsky.social · 28/09/2026🟦 BREAKING NEWS 🚨 | The government abandons any moves to introduce admission charges to England's national museums — it commits to entry being "free, forever, for everyone to access." 161
maxwell museums @maxwellmuseums.bsky.social · 25/09/2026🟦 A space-themed Pokémon trail and shop is coming to the Science Museum next monthmaxwellmuseums.comSpace-themed Pokémon trail and shop coming to the Science MuseumPokémon is taking over the Science Museum in London this autumn 020
maxwell museums @maxwellmuseums.bsky.social · 25/09/2026🟦 BREAKING NEWS 🚨 | The V&A will make voluntary redundancies in order "to reduce costs" The PCS union believe an operational deficit in the millions is expected in the coming yearsartsprofessional.co.ukExclusive: V&A launches voluntary exit scheme ahead of scheduled strike action - Arts ProfessionalThe V&A has opened a voluntary exit scheme open to all staff, Arts Professional can reveal, with the news coming as staff represented by Prospect and 143
maxwell museums @maxwellmuseums.bsky.social · 24/09/2026ah excellent to see, i'll let the retail team know we need to deliver for the BlueSky fandom! 021
maxwell museums @maxwellmuseums.bsky.social · 23/09/2026FWIW this was all but apparent after the extensive updates on the negotiations went completely silent in past year or so 000
maxwell museums @maxwellmuseums.bsky.social · 23/09/2026🟦 NEWS 🚨 | Talks about the future of the Parthenon Sculptures have collapsed, reports the Telegraph www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/09... 110
maxwell museums @maxwellmuseums.bsky.social · 21/09/2026Here's my initial write up of my visit — including queue talk and photo bans ❌ 📸maxwellmuseums.substack.comPhotos banned at Bayeux Tapestry exhibitionPLUS: Manhunt for Renoir museum thieves 000
maxwell museums @maxwellmuseums.bsky.social · 21/09/2026🟦 We Brits love to queue—and the Bayeux Tapestry queue is the talk of the (London) town! V excited to be quoted in the New York Times about what it's like to visit the Tapestry exhibition at the British Museum. TLDR: yes there's a long line, but it's worth it www.nytimes.com/2026/09/21/a... 120
Reposted by maxwell museumsmaxwell museums @maxwellmuseums.bsky.social · 19/09/2026🟦 It's the final weeks to see Constable's The Hay Wain in Ipswich — the first time its ever been shown in Suffolk, the place it depicts I explored the show and Constable Country earlier this year 🌱maxwellmuseums.comAs The Hay Wain arrives in Ipswich, here's how to explore Constable CountryInspired by the Hay Wain, explore the Suffolk landscape that John Constable painted 041
maxwell museums @maxwellmuseums.bsky.social · 19/09/2026🟦 It's the final weeks to see Constable's The Hay Wain in Ipswich — the first time its ever been shown in Suffolk, the place it depicts I explored the show and Constable Country earlier this year 🌱maxwellmuseums.comAs The Hay Wain arrives in Ipswich, here's how to explore Constable CountryInspired by the Hay Wain, explore the Suffolk landscape that John Constable painted 041
maxwell museums @maxwellmuseums.bsky.social · 15/09/2026🟦 I went to see the Bayeux Tapestry on its second day open to the public to see what the visitor experience is like One big thing: photography has been banned. Permissions to take your own snaps lasted one day ❌ 📸 Here's what I else I thought of the exhibition of the century at the British Museum👇maxwellmuseums.substack.comPhotos banned at Bayeux Tapestry exhibitionPLUS: Manhunt for Renoir museum thieves 030
maxwell museums @maxwellmuseums.bsky.social · 14/09/2026YES! it shows when people say "get the treasures out of the BM and on tour" as if local/civic museums have nothing (they have world class treasures!) — also nationals loan items and tour exhibitions all the time. Bristol Museum, had the NG's Hay Wain in 2024. It's getting V&A's Bowie tour next year 030
maxwell museums @maxwellmuseums.bsky.social · 13/09/2026exactly — we need to see the modelling, because charges have been scrapped twice before so why would a third time work tbh I don’t think for advocates for charging it’s much deeper than “well people pay to go to the Louvre.” That’s it 010
maxwell museums @maxwellmuseums.bsky.social · 12/09/2026The news is revealed in a *very* eye-opening piece on the growing calls to abolish universal free entry for England's national museums in today's @financialtimes.comft.comBritain thinks twice about free museumsThe UK government is considering charging tourists entry fees. The sector is vehemently opposed 001
maxwell museums @maxwellmuseums.bsky.social · 12/09/2026🟦 NEWS 🚨 | The government has told National Museums Liverpool that its International Slavery Museum will be exempt from any policy forcing England's national museums to charge foreign tourists for entry 130
maxwell museums @maxwellmuseums.bsky.social · 08/09/2026“My goal has been to win, not to make me feel good,” he said. “To win — to protect the Smithsonian — there were times I would fight, make clear what the red lines were. And there were other times I let things go.” 020
maxwell museums @maxwellmuseums.bsky.social · 08/09/2026🟦 NEWS 🚨 | Lonnie G. Bunch III resigns as head of the Smithsonian In the face of White House attacks, he says he will depart at the end of the yearnytimes.comSmithsonian’s Secretary to Resign as Trump Tries to Rule the InstitutionIn the face of escalating White House attacks about how museums present American history, Lonnie G. Bunch III has announced his decision to depart. 211
maxwell museums @maxwellmuseums.bsky.social · 08/09/2026🟦 BREAKING NEWS 🚨 | Four works of art by Renoir are stolen in a museum heist in France www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cm...bbc.co.ukRenoir: Four works of art stolen from museum in FranceTwo thieves broke into the museum in on Tuesday, stealing "four works of art" - one of which they dropped as they fled, a local mayor says. 031
maxwell museums @maxwellmuseums.bsky.social · 07/09/2026🟦 History. Made. After all the build up — and after 1,000 years! — I can’t believe it’s finally here Astonishing to have got so close to this remarkable treasure this morning ✨ 010
maxwell museums @maxwellmuseums.bsky.social · 05/09/2026🟦 Michael Lewis gave the King a tour of the Bayeux Tapestry this week 👑 Before that honour, Michael spoke to me about how this landmark exhibition at the British Museum has all come about, and what its legacy will be 💬 "I am still rubbing my eyes a bit!" he told memaxwellmuseums.comBayeux Tapestry curator Michael Lewis takes us behind the scenes of the British Museum's blockbuster exhibitionThe Bayeux Tapestry exhibition curator reveals how this landmark loan to the UK was achieved 020
maxwell museums @maxwellmuseums.bsky.social · 03/09/2026🟦 💬 "To see this astonishing artefact back in Britain for the first time in 1000 years is the most moving moment of my career" Reviews for the Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum are in. And its ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from the Telegraph "This is vivid, involving storytelling" www.telegraph.co.uk/art/reviews/... 020
maxwell museums @maxwellmuseums.bsky.social · 02/09/2026🟦 As HM The King unveils the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition at the British Museum tonight, I’ve been speaking to the show’s curator In my latest newsletter, I speak to Michael Lewis about his role in securing this history-making loan to Britain and what it means to him after all these years 🇬🇧 🇫🇷maxwellmuseums.substack.comCurating the Bayeux Tapestry exhibitionINTERVIEW: British Museum’s Professor Michael Lewis 152
maxwell museums @maxwellmuseums.bsky.social · 02/09/2026🟦 NEWS 🚨 | Later today, HM The King and President Macron will officially open the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition at the British Museum The museum will close at 1pm in preparationfrance24.comMacron in Britain to help unveil Bayeux tapestry for historic exhibitionFrench President Emmanuel Macron will be the first EU leader to meet new British Prime Minister Andy Burnham during a two-day visit to the UK that began Wednesday. Macron will first inaugurate a histo... 121
maxwell museums @maxwellmuseums.bsky.social · 29/08/2026🟦 NEWS 🚨 | Claudia Winkleman stars in British Museum's new Bayeux Tapestry film — as new tickets revealedmaxwellmuseums.comClaudia Winkleman stars in British Museum Bayeux Tapestry film as new tickets revealedTV icon Winkleman stars in trailer announcing the next Bayeux Tapestry ticket release 011
maxwell museums @maxwellmuseums.bsky.social · 29/08/2026🟦 The date of the next Bayeux Tapestry ticket drop has been revealed As have the closure dates for 3 of the V&A sites due to strike action And there's news of a huge museum raid in Spain, and a £71m Rembrandt could be leaving the UK It's all here in my latest newsletter! 💫👇maxwellmuseums.substack.comREVEALED: Next Bayeux Tapestry ticket dropPLUS: Strikes will shut V&A sites 001
maxwell museums @maxwellmuseums.bsky.social · 28/08/2026🟦 BREAKING NEWS 🚨 | The next tranche of tickets to see the Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum will go on sale on 21 October at 10am. The news was announced tonight at Piccadilly Circus, where the famous screens debuted a new trailer for the exhibition starring museum trustee Claudia Winkleman 041
maxwell museums @maxwellmuseums.bsky.social · 28/08/2026After also being featured in the Financial Times earlier this year, I'm going to bang my own drum and say that if you want to reach people who care deeply about what's going on with museums, galleries, and heritage (including Times writers!) then subscribe, pitch and/or sponsor 'maxwell museums'!maxwellmuseums.substack.commaxwell museums | SubstackNews, views and interviews from the world of museums, galleries, heritage and art | One of the world's "33 best Substack newsletters" according to the Observer newspaper. Click to read maxwell museums... 020
maxwell museums @maxwellmuseums.bsky.social · 28/08/2026🟦 A big surprise — I'm in the Times! 🗞️ 💫 It was an early morning visit to the newsagent today after I discovered I get a mention in today's The Times: print and online thank you very much 😆 The paper's Art Critic Laura Freeman highlights my newsletter 'maxwell museums' in her column 🙏 120
maxwell museums @maxwellmuseums.bsky.social · 27/08/2026🟦 NEWS 🚨 | Rembrandt’s 1657 ‘Portrait of Catrina Hooghsaet’ is at risk of leaving the UK for second time in 11 years Saving it will cost a museum £71m If it can be acquired, it will be one of the most expensive purchases for a British institution ever This will be v hard to keep heregov.ukMinister acts to help save Rembrandt masterpiece from leaving the UKThe government has temporarily banned a Rembrandt painting worth £71 million from being taken out of the UK permanently 161
maxwell museums @maxwellmuseums.bsky.social · 27/08/2026In just 2 weeks time, a landmark retrospective of her career will open at Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam. The Director Rein Wolfs says it'll be "a feast for the eyes where one can truly lose themselves in her extraordinary art." A visit will be the perfect tribute to say goodbye to one of the greats ✨ 030
maxwell museums @maxwellmuseums.bsky.social · 27/08/2026Her largest permanent public sculpture came to Liverpool Street station in London in 2024 too And there was the Louis Vuitton collaboration at Harrods in 2023 which saw a giant sculpture of the artist tower next to the department store and peer into the window (the jury's still out on this one tbh) 110
maxwell museums @maxwellmuseums.bsky.social · 27/08/2026Her Infinity Mirror Rooms became Tate Modern's most-visited exhibition ever after running for three years from 2021 While her 2024 exhibition at National Gallery of Victoria become the best-attended ticketed art exhibition in Australian history 🎟️ 110
maxwell museums @maxwellmuseums.bsky.social · 27/08/2026🟦 Farewell then, Yayoi Kusama, arguably the world's most famous contemporary female artist She died two weeks ago aged 97, with her death announced today 🟡 🔴 🟢 🔵 ⚪️ Her career absolutely boomed in the 21st century, and she was hugely prolific even in the past few years 151
maxwell museums @maxwellmuseums.bsky.social · 26/08/2026"In 2022 Frances Morris, then director of Tate Modern, warned that big loan shows were over in the age of tough budgets and the climate emergency... Well, after a challenging few years, the big-loan blockbuster is back." Fab celebration of the blockbuster exhibition by Laura Freeman in the Timesthetimes.comShow me the Monet! How the art blockbuster came backThe arrival of the Bayeux Tapestry in London and the Tate’s unprecedented Monet show may herald the beginning of a new golden age of museum loans 020
maxwell museums @maxwellmuseums.bsky.social · 25/08/2026In the piece, journalist and Outsider Arts Club founder Marie Le Conte explains why she’s on a mission to transform art viewing and buying into a sociable event (that won’t break the bank) And for those new to the newsletter, I cover the goings on in museums, art and heritage every week 👨💻maxwellmuseums.substack.comCalling all art world outsiders 🚨GUEST COLUMN: London’s new art club for ‘normal’ people 001
maxwell museums @maxwellmuseums.bsky.social · 25/08/2026🟦 "Our greatest achievement probably came when quite a prominent person from the industry told us...that they’d never really seen this many normal people in an art gallery" 📝 I'm stoked that @youngvulgarian.marieleconte.com is the latest guest columnist in my newsletter 📩maxwellmuseums.substack.comCalling all art world outsiders 🚨GUEST COLUMN: London’s new art club for ‘normal’ people 1173
Reposted by maxwell museumsNational Trust @nationaltrust.org.uk · 12/08/2026ANNOUNCEMENT: All our sundials will be out of order this evening between about 6pm and 8pm, we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. Normal service will resume tomorrow. In unrelated news, enjoy the eclipse later... Photos: Mike Selby, Annapurna Mellor, Chris Davies, John Millar 201711458
maxwell museums @maxwellmuseums.bsky.social · 03/08/2026🟦 A Burberry display is coming to the V&A in London — and it will shine a spotlight on the fashion brand’s much-loved and enduring trench coat 🧥maxwellmuseums.comV&A's Burberry trench coat display will mark 170 years of fashion brandA Burberry display is coming to the V&A in London in September 2026 010
maxwell museums @maxwellmuseums.bsky.social · 01/08/2026🟦 My latest post dives into the biggest UK and global stories from museums, art and heritage. This week’s headlines include: 🗞️ V&A staff strike over ‘Amazon-style’ conditions 🗞️ “Cultural vandalism” as British glass museum closes 🗞️ Philadelphia Museum of Art shocks with $10m deficitopen.substack.comV&A strike over ‘Amazon-style’ conditionsPLUS: “Cultural vandalism” as glass museum closes 030
maxwell museums @maxwellmuseums.bsky.social · 30/07/2026agree — and it's worse now because people are addicted to vertical video! both the people playing it out loud on the train, and the people watching it as they alight trains, change trains, walk around v busy stations! 010
maxwell museums @maxwellmuseums.bsky.social · 28/07/2026ah brilliant, so pleased to hear that Mike! Glad you enjoyed it 010
maxwell museums @maxwellmuseums.bsky.social · 27/07/2026good question! apparently she wanted housing as first choice! 010
maxwell museums @maxwellmuseums.bsky.social · 27/07/2026🟦 Lisa Nandy survived, but will free museum entry last under Andy Burnham's new government?maxwellmuseums.comLisa Nandy survived, but will free museum entry last under Andy Burnham's new government?Charging foreign tourists for museum entry might be a tempting quick financial win for Andy Burnham 110
maxwell museums @maxwellmuseums.bsky.social · 25/07/2026🟦 The new director of Tate has been announced — and they’re taking a big pay cut British curator Jessica Morgan will take up the role in Jan 2027. She’s led the New York-based Dia Art Foundation since 2015. 📩 This is the top story in my weekly museum, art and heritage news Substack👇maxwellmuseums.substack.comTate's new director takes a pay cutPLUS: Shock as Nandy keeps culture job 130