Discover how Hull primary schools belonging to the Museum’s Hull Curriculum membership scheme have been taking inspiration from Hull’s Heritage, bringing learning to life around some of its most famous stories and figures.
Event Categories: Exhibition
Sirens: Out of The Blue
To accompany Sirens, Women and the Sea, the Future Ferens group have responded with an exhibition exploring artistic responses to the story of the Sirens.
The Future Ferens are a group of 18–25-year-old volunteers who are artists, future curators, and creatives. Their exhibition showcases a series of works created by the Future Ferens; the artworks explore themes of gender, myth, and depictions of the siren in recent history.
Sirens, Women and the Sea
This exhibition explores the story behind the siren, mythological female creatures whose song lured sailors to their deaths. From ancient cultures and mythology to contemporary activist responses, the works in this exhibition take you on a journey of seduction, suffrage, slavery, migration, gender fluidity, activism, and freedom.
Experience works by Pre-Raphaelite superstars John William Waterhouse, Evelyn De Morgan and Edward Burne-Jones, Julie Brook, Abe Odedina, and Emma Stibbon.
The exhibition begins with a stunning 5th century BC Greek vase depicting the first known artwork showing the Sirens and Ulysses from the British Museum.
The exhibition will also include a newly commissioned ‘Siren Song’, by Artist in Residence and folk singer Maddie Morris.
Young Artist Open Exhibition
The Young Artist Open exhibition has been held annually at the Ferens Art Gallery since 2003 and celebrates the creative talent of young people in Hull and the surrounding area.
Artworks are submitted by individuals, schools, and local community groups, aged 15 and under. Each year there is a huge variety of work on display, from paintings and drawings to pastels, collage, and prints.
Young artists are in the running to win prizes in three age categories, generously sponsored by the Friends of the Ferens and the Hull and East Riding Branch of The Arts Society.
Submissions are open 30 June – 13 July 2025. Please visit our website for full guidance.
2025 Open Exhibition
The annual Open Exhibition at the Ferens Art Gallery has celebrated the creativity of local amateur and professional artists since 1967.
Each year the Open Exhibition provides an exciting opportunity for artists to display and sell artwork.
Visitors can expect to see a fascinating array of artwork including impressive paintings, photography and textiles, as well as a number of striking sculptures and ceramics, most of which will be for sale.
Glam & Gloom – 1970s Britain
Kids, imagine a world before the internet, smartphones and social media and the telly only had three channels. Adults, remember the ups and downs of a less complicated life!
An exhibition exploring the highs and hardships of life in the 1970s, a decade beset by rising inflation and seemingly endless strikes. With power cuts and the three-day week at one end of the decade and the ‘winter of discontent’ at the other, it was a time of increased political awareness when ‘women’s libbers’ and teenage punks were fighting for social change. But the 1970s was also a decade of frivolity and fun. Rising standards of living meant working families could holiday on the Costa del Sol. Teenagers had plenty of pocket money to spend on glam or glitter pop albums and the whole family could sit down together and watch some of the greatest British TV of all time.
Czesc Hull, to my! / Hi Hull, it’s us!
Czesc Hull, to my! / Hi Hull, it’s us! – over 100 years of the local Polish community.
Hull has been a place for people to come and pass through for as long as it has been a port. But what makes it special is that so many people from other cultures and countries find home here.
The Polish community in Hull is one of the oldest and most vibrant our city has – the community has two Polish Schools, The Irena Sendler Polish School, and St Mary’s Polish School, as well as an honorary Polish Consulate at Hull University, University students and several community groups across the city.
This exhibition is a celebration of the Polish Community within Hull and with the help of both schools and members of the community, Hull Museums have been able to share a bit of Polish culture and follow their celebrations throughout the year.
Come and explore the Polish traditions, food, dress, and lifestyle that enrich Hull’s cultural landscape and highlight some of the local legends with Polish heritage.
Tranquil Tuesdays @ The Deep
Join us every Tuesday (term-time only) for Tranquil Tuesdays! From 3pm until closing, the lights will be brighter and the audio turned down, creating a tranquil environment for our visitors.
This event is perfect for those who prefer to visit during a quieter and more peaceful environment. Everyone is welcome to attend. Normal admission rates apply.
We have a range of aids available to hire free of charge for visitors with access needs including ear defenders, Braille guides, large print guides, MP3 audio guides, international language leaflets, rollators, electric mobility scooters and wheelchairs. Our access guide and social story can be viewed below.
Different by Design
An exhibition by neurodivergent artists in celebration of 10 years of Matthew’s Hub.
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Matthew’s Hub is a charity that supports autistic people and those with ADHD who live in Hull and East Yorkshire.
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This exhibition brings together 10 artists and collectives who are members of Matthew’s Hub to celebrate 10 years of the charity.
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The exhibition includes photography, sculpture, printmaking, textiles, digital art and works on paper.
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Many of the artworks in the exhibition speak about neurodiversity in different ways. Some emphasise the importance of feeling safe in natural or domestic spaces. Other artworks reveal feelings of isolation or frustration.
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Some neurodivergent people make art as a solitary practice, while others use it as a way of coming together. This exhibition celebrates both of these approaches to making.
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Artists to be announced in January 2025!
About Matthew’s Hub
Matthew’s Hub is a charity that supports autistic people, those with ADHD, and people who are waiting for a diagnosis. They have over 1500 members over the age of 13 from across Hull and East Yorkshire.
The charity was named after an autistic man called Matthew Battye who loved bell-ringing, martial arts, trains and gardening.
Matthew’s Hub employs autistic and neurodivergent people. They support neurodivergent people to best understand their autism and ADHD through peer mentorship, and deliver training to a wide range of people. In addition, Matthew’s Hub offers members opportunities to develop new skills and socialise.
Launch: Friday 17 January 6-8PM
Quiet Openings
Our Quiet Openings will take place every 1st Sunday of the month. On these days we will:
- Be turning off or turning down sounds
- Where possible, putting away any strong smells that are part of an exhibition
- Providing a quiet space at Ferens Art Gallery and the Museums Quarter.
We are also currently changing some lighting in our buildings and this should make the lighting more consistent longer term.
These things will be available everyday;
- Sensory resources like colour filters, ear defenders, torches fidgets and magnifiers are available to borrow on the front desk
- Sensory Maps will be available for each site from Sunday November 3rd
These sessions are designed for people who find visiting our museums and gallery difficult because they may be autistic, have sensory sensitivities, experience anxiety or other mental health issues, or are living with dementia for example. If you would prefer to visit when the museum has all it’s sounds on, please avoid these days.
If you are not able to come on the 1st Sunday of the month, our quieter periods are after 2.30pm on a term time weekday, or Sundays, especially during the winter.
Please check our listings for details of events which will affect how busy we are.
Please note that in August 2025, the relaxed opening sessions at Ferens Art Gallery, Streetlife Museum and Hull and East Riding Museum will be on Sunday 10th August 11am-1pm. In all other months, the sessions will remain on the first Sunday of the month. Thank you.
HU Postcode Offer
Calling all HU postcodes- we have a festive treat in store for you this December!
On the 7th & 8th December ONLY, we’re offering all visitors with a HU postcode one-time entry to the attraction at just £5 per person!*
So why not dive in for a fiver on our ‘love your locals’ weekend- we can’t wait to ‘sea’ you.
*£5 offer tickets are valid on the 7th & 8th December 2024 only for people living within the HU postcode area. Proof of address must be provided in the form of a household bill or driving licence. The tickets provided are valid for a single visit only and do not qualify for the Annual Pass.
Full Terms & Conditions:
Visitors using the HU postcode offer on the 7th & 8th December 2024 are advised to book a date and reserve a timeslot for their visit via The Deep’s website. Please select the number of people visiting using the ‘Existing Annual Pass Holder/Essential Carers/Vouchers’ ticket option. Payment will not be taken via the website, but instead made in person at The Deep on arrival on the date of your visit.
*£5 offer tickets are valid on the 7th & 8th December 2024 only for people living within the HU postcode area. Proof of address must be provided at Reception in the form of a household bill or driving licence. The tickets provided are valid for a single visit only and do not qualify for the Annual Pass. Not for resale or use with any other offer.
The Deep Freeze
Dive into a wintery wonderland at The Deep, and explore Earth’s incredible aquatic animals that are able to survive and thrive in extreme polar conditions.
Cosy up in our giant igloo in Deep Blue One for winter storytelling sessions!
‘Bob’ down to Endless Ocean for daily presentations at 12pm & 2pm. Learn more about the amazing ways in which animals adapt to icy cold environments.
Take part in our ‘Inspiration Station’ games & activities dotted around the aquarium, for the chance to win a super COOL prize bundle!
The Deep Freeze event is included in standard ticket entry, no additional booking is required. Pre-booking is highly recommended for your visit.
Fashion through the Lens of Art
Fashion designer Seguntuyi Mapeganoluwa Onakoya of the House of Tuyi, launches a fashion collection inspired by the Seen and Unseen exhibition, and the work of pioneering artist Nahem Shoa, and his friend and fellow artist Desmond Haughton. Join us for a live fashion catwalk.
The show responds to the outfits portrayed in the artworks in the exhibition, linking them to the heritage of Black people living in Britain. Tuyi’s own approach focuses on the role fashion can play in the fusion of White European and Black African cultures. By doing this, he challenges the marginalization that Black artists have experienced from the art world. Tuyi takes this idea further by inviting volunteers from the Black community and extending the opportunity to white Europeans to work on the collection with him, inspiring local people to become fashion designers. He aims to build a fashion community that brings creativity, developing the potential for future runways, exhibitions, pop-ups and innovative celebrations, and ultimately creative pride in Hull and Yorkshire.
The Fashion Show will take place 2-4 pm.
What do Hospices in England look like? Photographs from the Hospice Architecture in England Study
The photographs in this exhibition come from hospices across the country, from brand-new purpose built sites, to converted homes and manor houses, and even a hospice based in a medieval court. Hospices can be misunderstood and even feared healthcare settings, so our aim with this exhibition is to raise awareness about what hospices really look like in the hope of reducing the stigma which is often attached to these spaces.
We would love to know what you think about these photographs so if you visit, please leave us a comment on one of the cards provided.
Funded by Wellcome.
Living Coast
Living Coast is an exhibition of art, music, film, poetry and spoken word about the people, land and sea of Yorkshire’s South Holderness region.
Spurn Point is the southern-most tip of the East Yorkshire coastline whose 700-year history of human habitation came to an end in 2023. This exhibition presents artworks created during a project that took place between January and May 2024, which explored the unique entanglement of the transient geography and human occupancy of the ever-shifting South Holderness coast.
Through interviews with current and past residents (including farmers, artists, historians and ecologists), and working alongside the Spurn Bird Observatory, researchers from the University of Hull have created a series of artistic responses that explore the rapid geogogical, social and environmental transformations of the unique landscape of South Holderness.
Open daily 10am-5pm, with late opening to 7pm on Tuesdays.
Feral Reveal #10
Bi-annual exhibition of work produced by students of The Feral Art School, including print, painting, drawing, fashion and textiles.
Opening Friday 20th December 6.30-8.30pm