Features

Winds of change

Paul Reid, the director of the Black Cultural Archives in Brixton, talks to Eleanor Mills about activism, history and how to make change happen

International opening: 14 Henrietta Street, Dublin

The changing fortunes of this building, from wealthy family home to tenement, have been vividly brought to life, says Geraldine Kendall Adams

Trendswatch: Walking tours

Visitors can step into history as venues increasingly offer walks to broaden engagement, says Deborah Mulhearn

Museum of… Garioch Heritage Centre, Aberdeenshire

The history of rural Aberdeenshire and its people is brought alive by this site, says Geraldine Kendall Adams

Captive audiences

Former prisons are proving to be a rich source of material for museums to tell stories of crime, punishment and justice, says Deborah Mulhearn

Best in show

The Dustman or The Lovers, 1934, by Stanley Spencer

Museum of… Scottish Submarine Centre, Helensburgh

Louise Gray dives below the surface to discover this fledgling venue’s high-tech plans

Trendswatch: Celebrity donations

Objects belonging to well-known personalities are bringing some star power to museums, says Jonathan Knott

Centre of excellence

Eleanor Mills talks to Martin Clark, the director of Camden Arts Centre in London, about supporting artists

Home truths

As Hillsborough Castle opens to the public, Patrick Kelly looks at how Northern Ireland’s country houses are interpreting their fascinating but troubled history

Roll up, roll up

Museums are marking the 250th anniversary of the circus with a series of exhibitions and events. John Holt finds out how gallery acrobats, showgirl curators and parachuting dogs are all playing a part in tracing the history and cultural impact of “the greatest show on Earth”

International opening: Nordic Museum, Seattle

Eleanor Mills gets a flavour of the Scandinavian history and culture that is rooted in this US city