Vivienne Westwood, dinosaurs and the BFG will all star in York in 2018

The private collection of a fashion icon, hi-tech dinosaurs and original Roald Dahl artwork will all feature in York next year.

In a diverse and exciting 2018 line-up, the York Museums Trust will be telling some compelling stories at its award-winning venues.

In March, Yorkshire’s Jurassic World will open at the Yorkshire Museum, exploring the coasts and seas of 150 million years ago.

“Here you will be transported back to the deep oceans, tropical seas and dinosaur country of ‘Jurassic Yorkshire’ using the latest technology. You can even feed a virtual dinosaur lunch!” said trust chief executive Reyahn King.

Amazing footwear

In July a private collection of iconic shoes by Vivienne Westwood will come to York Castle Museum on loan from The Civic, Barnsley.

Then in October The BFG in Pictures will bring Quentin Blake’s original illustrations for the much-loved Roald Dahl book to York Art Gallery in a touring exhibition from House of Illustration.

It’s also a year of anniversaries – York Castle Museum celebrate its 80th birthday.

And the Friends of York Art Gallery will commemorate their 70th year with an exhibition at York Art Gallery.

The gallery’s programme will also include

• The Sea is the Limit, an exhibition on migration
• a major exhibition on the work of Lucie Rie
• and Strata – Rock – Dust – Stars, a digital art exhibition to coincide with the York Mediale.

The next 12 months are set to be an exciting time to visit our attractions, with some fantastic exhibitions and events planned.

We have attracted shows featuring household names such as Vivienne Westwood and Quentin Blake’s illustrations of the BFG, while working with exciting and thought provoking artists on exhibitions such as The Sea is the Limit and Strata – Rock – Dust – Stars.

– Reyahn King

What’s on when

As well as the new shows, some popular events will return.

Both the Eboracum Roman Festival and York Proms will be back in Museum Gardens. The Aesthetica Art Prize will return to the gallery and you can experience A Victorian Christmas again in the Castle Museum.

Here’s the line-up so far.

York Castle Museum

York Castle Museum’s 80th Anniversary
April 21-23

York Castle Museum celebrates its 80th anniversary this year. The opening weekend will be marked with special events and a display of founder Dr Kirk’s earliest, most unusual and fascinating objects.

A Personal Collection of Vivienne Westwood Shoes
13 July 2018-28 April 2019

A touring exhibition from The Civic, Barnsley. More details to follow.

A Victorian Christmas at the Castle
23 Nov- 24 Dec

Experience the magic of a Victorian Christmas on our world-famous cobbled street, Kirkgate.

Yorkshire Museum and Gardens

Yorkshire’s Jurassic World
Opens March 24

Take an epic journey back through 150 million years of Yorkshire to discover lost giants and the changing worlds they inhabited in this brand new major exhibition.

From the depths of the deepest seas to the ancient coasts and tropical shallows; see the dinosaurs and sea monsters that once roamed our vast and ever-changing landscapes.

Rediscover our prehistoric predecessors through some of the oldest / the most fascinating remains in the region, the latest research and ground-breaking technology as you step into Yorkshire’s Jurassic World.

Eboracum Roman Festival
June 1-3

The Legions of the Roman Empire return to York and set up base once more in the York Museum Gardens. The weekend will include military displays, a Roman village and expert speakers talking about the rich Roman history of the city.

York Proms
June 30
Following its successful first year in 2017, the proms will return to the idyllic surroundings of York Museum Gardens.

York Art Gallery

The Sea is the Limit
May-September 2018
This exhibition expresses the clash of realities in the minds of the migrants as well as the receiving countries.

It features artists that have been working on the topic of migration and borders for decades, including Varvara Shavrova, Nidahl Chamekh, Thomas Kilpper, Massimo Ricciardo and Susan Stockwell.

Exact dates to be confirmed.

Friends of York Art Gallery 70th Anniversary
The Friends mark their anniversary with an exhibition of the works they have helped buy for York Art Gallery collections, as well as some of their favourite pieces of art.

Exact dates to be confirmed.

Aesthetica Art Prize
18 May-30 Sept 2018
Hosted by Aesthetica Magazine, the Aesthetica Art Prize is a celebration of excellence in art from across the world.

It offers both emerging and established artists the opportunity to showcase their work to a wider audience, and further their engagement with the international art world.

Lucie Rie
Opens 22 June 2018
An exhibition celebrating the life and ceramics of Dame Lucie Rie (1902-1995), highlighting her button production during the Second World War and considering their connection to the domestic wares she became celebrated for.

Strata – Rock – Dust – Stars
29 Sept 2018-13 Jan 2019
An exhibition of cutting edge digital art to coincide with the York Mediale, bringing together leading digital artists from around the world.

The BFG in Pictures
12 October 2018-24 Feb 2019
The first major exhibition of artwork by Quentin Blake for Roald Dahl’s enduring tale. It is a touring exhibition from House of Illustration.