The Bowes Museum

12/06/2026

Just a heads up - The Bowes Museum, Café Bowes and The Bowes Museum Shop will be closed on Wednesday 17 June for a Staff Development Day.

We're taking this time to thank our wonderful team and invest in their growth and training.

We'll be open as usual on Thursday 18 June.

12/06/2026

We are saddened to hear of the passing of David Hockney, one of the most influential and celebrated British artists of the 20th and 21st centuries.

The Bowes Museum has been privileged to display Hockney's work, including N**e, 17 June 1984, which currently hangs in the Blue Picture Gallery.

From his iconic Californian scenes to his later experiments with digital media, Hockney remained a restless innovator and a passionate advocate for the power of art to help us look more closely at the world around us. His influence on generations of artists, designers and makers is immeasurable.

11/06/2026

🎂 Happy 215th Birthday, John Bowes!

Today we're celebrating the birthday of our co-founder, John Bowes, whose vision helped create the museum we know and love today.

A passionate collector and patron of the arts, John spent much of his life in France. In 1847, he purchased the Théâtre des Variétés in Paris, where he would later meet his future wife and fellow museum founder, Joséphine.

Together, John and Joséphine assembled an extraordinary collection and created a museum that would bring art, culture and learning to the people of the North East.

10/06/2026

✏️ Did you know?

We leave paper and pencils out in the picture galleries so visitors can become artists, designers and makers while they're here.

From quick sketches to detailed studies, we're always amazed by the creativity inspired by the collection.

Here are just a few examples of the fantastic artwork created during recent visits. 🎨

👀 Can you identify the objects these budding artists were sketching? Let us know your guesses!

10/06/2026

🌟 Vote for Philippa! 🌟

We're delighted to share that our very own Philippa has been shortlisted as a finalist in This is Durham's Durham Tourism Superstar Awards.

These awards celebrate the incredible people who help create unforgettable experiences for visitors across County Durham. From welcoming guests and sharing local knowledge to working behind the scenes, the finalists represent the very best of our tourism industry.

We're incredibly proud to see Philippa recognised for her passion, dedication and commitment to ensuring visitors have a fantastic experience at The Bowes Museum.

🏆 The winner is decided by public vote, and we'd be grateful for your support.

🔗 Learn more about the finalists and cast your vote:
https://www.thisisdurham.com/durham-tourism-superstar

Good luck, Philippa! 💛

09/06/2026

09/06/2026

✨ Three great reasons to visit The Bowes Museum this Sunday

🧵 Sew-cial at The Bowes | 10:30am – 1:30pm

Inspired by Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren's Pirates collection (1981), this creative workshop explores draping, deconstruction and romantic rebellion. Create your own wrap blouse from a single piece of fabric while experimenting with gathers, ties and asymmetrical forms.

📚 Bowes Book Club | 11am – 12pm

This month we're discussing Vivienne Westwood: The Story Behind the Style by Jessica Bumpus.

Enjoy object handling, discussion and a special online Q&A with the author.

🏛 Front Row: The Bowes Legacy | 2:30pm – 3:30pm

Join historian and author Val Scully as she explores the story of the Bowes family, Gibside and the vision that shaped The Bowes Museum.

🔗 Book your place:
https://thebowesmuseum.org.uk/whats-on/

08/06/2026

📢 We're hiring: Travel Trade and Events Coordinator

Join The Bowes Museum at an exciting time of growth, investment and transformation.

We're looking for a Travel Trade and Events Coordinator to help develop group visits, build relationships with travel trade partners and support the delivery of our diverse events programme.

📍 25 hours per week (3 days)
📄 Permanent contract
💷 £18,279 actual salary (£27,053 pro rata)
🗓 Closing date: 25 June 2026, 5pm

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who enjoys working with people, building partnerships and creating exceptional visitor experiences.

🔗 Apply today:
https://thebowesmuseum.org.uk/jobs-and-volunteering/travel-trade-and-events-coordinator/

07/06/2026

👗🎨 Fashion meets art history

Vive La Cocotte (AW 1995/96) and Storm in a Teacup (AW 1996/97) showcase some of the hallmarks of Vivienne Westwood's design: exaggerated silhouettes, asymmetrical cuts and a playful reinterpretation of historical fashion.

As its name suggests, Storm in a Teacup drew inspiration from Britain's famously unpredictable weather. Traditional menswear was transformed through draping, contrasting fabrics and unexpected construction, creating something both familiar and entirely new.

Westwood's fascination with art history can also be seen in her dialogue with works such as Mme Bigottini as a Bacchante (1817) by Jacques-Antoine Vallin. The portrait depicts celebrated ballerina Emilie Bigottini adorned with grapes and a leopard skin in the guise of a Bacchante, blending theatre, mythology and fashion.

A perfect example of how Westwood continually looked to the past to create something radically modern.

✨ Discover more in Vivienne Westwood: Rebel – Storyteller – Visionary.

06/06/2026

🛍️ You've been asking, we've listened!

Our Vivienne Westwood: Rebel – Storyteller – Visionary merchandise range is now available to order online.

Whether you're looking for a memento of your visit, a gift for a fashion lover, or simply can't make it to the museum in person, you can now browse and shop the collection from wherever you are.

Shop the range:
https://shop.thebowesmuseum.org.uk/product-category/exhibition-merchandise/