May is Museums and Galleries Month (MGM), when curators and museum and gallery professionals invite visitors to discover the unique and unexpected in their local museum or gallery. Events range from new exhibitions, late night openings and family fun days to curator talks, seminars and debates.
The MGM arts programme offers advice to venues on how best to engage with contemporary artists. The Museums at Night Weekend (16–18 May) will see museums and galleries across the UK open their doors after hours for unique twilight access. Twenty are based in the Newcastle/Gateshead area and will offer free events, including an etch-a-sketch lounge at the Hatton Gallery, the opportunity to take part in a live art and film installation at the Laing (pictured), and the chance to meet artists and talk about their work at various locations. In Birmingham, the ArtBus will take visitors to the RBSA Gallery, Ikon and the Barber Institute of Fine Arts in one evening.