Exhibiting With Us
Are you an artist or group interested in exhibiting in one of our spaces?
Read on before deciding whether to submit a proposal and which space could suit you.
We receive many proposals, and can only select a small number of exhibitions each year. Every proposal is discussed by a panel that meets around three times a year, so please do not expect an immediate response. We try to acknowledge every proposal.
Would you like to submit a proposal?
- Email (not more than 2 sides of A4) an outline of your proposed exhibition to [email protected]
- Let us know which space your proposal is for.
- Attach digital example images to your email, but do not send or deliver any original or unique materials, as we cannot guarantee their return.
- If your proposal meets our aims, we will get in touch to ask for more information.
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Opening hours:
Daily: 9.00am - 4.30pm
Sunday: 10.00am - 4.00pm
Bank Holidays: 10.00am - 4.00pm -
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For more information
[email protected]
Special Exhibitions
For high-quality exhibitions expected to attract large visitor numbers. Exhibitions in this 125m2 space are planned for at least two years. We curate our own exhibitions, hire touring exhibitions and work in partnership with national and regional museums to display prestigious loans from across the country.
Every proposal is measured against set criteria by our panel, which meets three times a year. Our priority is to programme high-quality exhibitions, which balance commercial sustainability with access to both our own collections and those of other Museums and widen engagement with target audiences.
The Alice Ellen Cooper Dean Community Space
For local artists, artists exploring local themes, community or local heritage groups. This multi-functional space on the Museum’s ground floor can display a small number of 2D works. We welcome proposals from local artists, artists exploring local themes, community or local heritage groups who are interested in using the space to exhibit work generated by projects they are engaged in. Please note that this space is also used for meetings and events so will only be open to the public at set times.
What's On
28 May – 30 October 2022
Take a fresh look at the Victorian novelist and poet, Thomas Hardy, in the stunning Wessex landscapes that shaped his view of the world. His story will be retold in exciting new ways by our museum collections, from period costumes to personal letters, art to archaeology.
Find out more9 September 2022 - 14 October 2022
Drawing Into Life – 6 Week Creative Course
Six week art course designed for adults interested in art and archaeology. This new course is an exciting opportunity to get up close with some extraordinary artefacts in the collection at Dorset Museum. You will be drawing inspiration from prehistoric art including Neolithic flint tools, Anglo Saxon gold, precious burial goods, Roman mosaics, decorative textiles and archaeological maps amongst others, and have the chance to work directly from the Elisabeth Frink collection.
Find out more3 October 2022 - 8 February 2023
Unmasked
Unmasked is a local, voluntary project that began in the dark days of March 2020, when a new disease called COVID-19 literally stopped the world as we knew it.
Find out moreCANCELLED
Who’s in the Next Room?
Poems by Thomas Hardy with new writing from Paul Hyland, Kate Scott, Catherine Simmonds & Pam Zinnemann-Hope
Find out more9 October 2022, 10:30am - 12noon
The Big Draw at Dorset Museum
Come and take part in our Big Draw event at Dorset Museum. Inspired by the natural world around us, colour and natural forms, help us create a giant collage in the style of Henri Rousseau to display in one of our galleries.
Find out more11 October 2022, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Archaeology Highlights Tour
Explore archaeological treasures held by Dorset Museum – from Bronze Age gold to medieval silver - in this volunteer-led tour.
Find out more13 October 2022, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Museum after hours
Join us for an opportunity to explore the Museum at this free late opening
Find out more13 October 2022, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
A persistent place: a new chronology for Neolithic Dorchester
The area underneath and around the town of Dorchester was an important place for Neolithic people, who built a variety of monuments here over a period of 2000 years. In this talk, Dr Susan Greaney discusses the research project that has obtained radiocarbon dates from samples of antler picks, charcoal and human remains held in the Dorset Museum collection and has been able to build a brand new chronology for the monuments.
Find out more21 October 2022, 7:00pm - 9:30pm
Strings Forever!
Join baroque violinist Emma-Marie Kabanova on a musical journey back in time exploring the dance tunes and folk music beloved by Thomas Hardy and his family. Tim Laycock and Colin Thompson contribute the traditional dance tunes and folksongs of Dorset on violin, concertina and melodeon.
Find out more