Hastings Museum and Art Gallery Summer of Fun

Hastings Museum and Art Gallery's summer holiday programme kicks off on Friday 22 July and runs through until 3 September.

Mini Figures Minibreak
22 July - 3 September, free, during opening hours, drop-in, for all ages.

Travel with our long-hall Lego figures to exotic places around the world, all without leaving the museum. Pick-up a trail sheet from reception and let the journey begin

Marie in the Margins Summer Adventuring
25-29 July, free, 9am-3pm, booking required, suitable for age 6-13.

Step into the exciting world of adventure writer, Marie de France. Meet inspirational characters who dare to be different; discover shape-shifters and werewolves.
Join them in their adventures using drama, music, and art-focused activities to explore the writing of England's earliest female adventure author. Learn about people living in England in the one hundred years after the Norman invasion of 1066 through creative, practical activities.

Circus School
26 July, 2 and 9 August, £3 per child, 11am and 12noon, booking advised, suitable for age 6+.

Join us for introductory circus workshops. Experienced performer Sofia, of Gosmina Circus will led sessions including juggling, plate spinning and diabolo tricks.

Lego Lab
2, 5, 12, and 19 August, £2.50 per person taking part, 10.30am and 1.30pm, booking advised, suitable for ages 5+

Get creative, have fun and make amazing programmable machines and creatures using Lego.

Make some noise!
24-26 August, free, 9.30-1.30pm.

Have a go at guitar, keyboard, drum kit or vocals and join our new band. Together we will learn some classic songs and maybe try writing some new ones, inspired by the amazing exhibitions and collections at Hastings Museum & Art Gallery. Our friendly tutors can help you develop new skills but if you already play an instrument, please bring it with you. Lunch will be provided for everyone on the course and you can also take part in fun games and activities focused on healthy eating.

Relaxed Opening
8 August, free, 10am to 12.30pm, drop-in, for all ages.
Our Relaxed Openings are for neurodiverse children and families, people with autism or additional needs who may find it easier to enjoy the exhibition in a calmer environment. During Relaxed Opening our lights will be on full and any sounds and videos turned off so it's a less overwhelming environment for you. There will be friendly members of staff around if needed to help support your visit. 

Relics Roadshow
30 July, free, during opening hours, drop-in, for all ages
Have you ever found something interesting and wondered what it might be? Find out about the latest local history, fossil and archaeological discoveries and have your own finds and treasures identified by experts. Local organisations and museum staff will be on hand to chat with you about your discoveries.

Open Draw
31 July and 28 August, during opening hours, drop-in, for all ages
Let us feed your imagination - draw, write or create your own beautiful response to our displays.

There are also two fantastic exhibitions for everyone to enjoy:

Jason and his Argonauts
9 July - 4 September, during opening hours, drop-in, for all ages

Jason and his Argonauts is a major new exhibition of fun, vibrant and thought-provoking digital artworks by Jason Wilsher-Mills. Taking inspiration from his ancient Greek namesake, Jason worked with disabled communities around the UK, to explore themes of disability. The exhibition tells stories from these communities, mixing them with Jason's own biography, creating new stories and myths. At the centre of this exhibition is a richly decorated inflatable Argonaut sculpture. It is accompanied by Jason's other vibrant, hyper-joyful digital light box paintings and the Corby Angel interactive digital artwork, which dances, spins and responds to hand gestures.

Follow that duck into Hastings Museum
30 July - 4 September, during opening hours, drop-in, for all ages

Celebrate the creative journey of local schools designing and decorating 2ft tall Rubber Duckling sculptures in this engaging and joy-filled exhibition. Experience the fun, the excitement and, of course … the paint!  Can you also find the Rubber Duckling sculptures nesting inside museum?

Cllr Andy Batsford, lead councillor for health and culture, said: "Hastings Museum & Art Gallery is an excellent asset for our town - there are so many fantastic exhibitions and events for everyone to enjoy. I'd encourage everyone to plan a visit to experience what is on offer, we are lucky to have such a facility and it's lovely and cool, perfect for the summer weather and getting hot kids out of the sun."
 
Entrance to the Hastings Museum and Art Gallery is free. Please check the HMAG website for full details and to book your places.