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The British Museum

The British Museum

London Learn more about what's on at British Museum and the artists shaping its programme.
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About The British Museum
The British Museum is one of the largest museums in the world with a collection of more than eight million artifacts. Founded in 1753 by Sir Hans Sloane, the museum showcases works from across the globe, since the beginning of humankind.

The collection features many important historical objects, such as the Elgin Marbles. In addition to holding many temporary exhibitions, the museum has digitized over two million items in its collection, making them internationally accessible.

The British Museum is the most visited museum in the United Kingdom and the third most visited museum in the world, with more than six million visitors each year. The building itself is iconic, defined by Neoclassical architectural revivalism, which itself has become synonymous with museums, culture and heritage.

British Museum News, Interviews, Stories and Artwork Selections

British Museum Postpones Jewish Culture Event Over Protest Fears
News / Museums and Institutions British Museum Postpones Jewish Culture Event Over Protest Fears Joe Ware Criticism of the decision to pull a lecture on Ancient Israel and Judah has come from voices as disparate as historian Simon Schama and Reform MP Suella Braverman.
This Earth Day the Art World Gets Its First-Ever Climate Solutions Consultancy
News / Galleries This Earth Day, the Art World Gets Its First-Ever Climate Solutions Consultancy Shanyu Zhong Climate Action Services International has been launched by the team behind the Gallery Climate Coalition and aims to help institutions and galleries to honour their environmental pledges.
British Museum Predicts Record Year Ahead of Bayeux Tapestry Display
News / Museums and Institutions British Museum Predicts Record Year Ahead of Bayeux Tapestry Display Philippa Kelly The museum’s chair of trustees George Osborne has said the institution expects to welcome 7.5 million visitors in 2026.
Art Is Good for You. But Who Will Fund It
Opinion Art Is Good for You. But Who Will Fund It? Eddy Frankel A new study claims that experiencing art can reduce stress—but public funding for the arts is being outstripped by a growing number of privately backed galleries.
Architect Lina Ghotmeh to Redesign British Museum Galleries
News Architect Lina Ghotmeh to Redesign British Museum Galleries Elaine YJ Zheng The Lebanon‑born architect has won a contest with a proposal to take an ‘archeological approach’ to the London museum’s Western Range Galleries.
Hew Locke Shares Curiosities from the British Museum
Spotlight Hew Locke Shares Curiosities from the British Museum Sam Gaskin Locke spent two years delving through the Museum’s collection—examining artefacts the British Empire brought back from Africa, India, and the Caribbean—in preparation for his new show.
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London Great Russell Street
The British Museum contemporary art institution in
The British Museum
Great Russell Street, London, United Kingdom

Opening hours
Everyday 9:00am - 6:30pm

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