Features

International Opening: Benjamin Franklin Museum

This revamped museum dedicated to one of America's founding fathers is engaging and lively rather than reverential. By Simon Stephens

House proud

Steven Parissien tells Simon Stephens about his plans to make Compton Verney's exhibitions fun and accessible

Portrait of the artist

Museums and galleries in Wales are part of this year’s country-wide celebration of the centenary of the birth of poet Dylan Thomas. Deborah Mulhearn reports

The Museum of… The Spike Heritage Centre

A heritage centre in a former hostel for vagrants on the site of Guildford’s old workhouse is a grim reminder of Edwardian poverty, says Louise Gray

Best in show: December 2013

The Saltonstall Family, c1636-7, David Des Granges, Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, University of East Anglia, Norwich

Trendswatch: Top of the pop-ups

Geraldine Kendall on how museum exhibitions are popping up all over the place

Crime fighting

From high-profile art heists to vandalism and minor thefts, crime affects all museums, galleries and heritage sites. Geraldine Kendall reports on efforts to tackle the problem

International opening: Fries Museum

A new museum building in Friesland in the north of the Netherlands was made possible by a very generous benefactor. Simon Stephens finds out more

First aider

Natasha McEnroe tells Simon Stephens about her plans for the Florence Nightingale Museum

The Museum of… Glenside Hospital Museum

Louise Gray finds out how a museum set in a former psychiatric hospital is promoting mental health and wellbeing today

The conservators

John Holt talks to conservators about the challenges that they face while working to make sure that museum objects will survive to be enjoyed by future generations

Image conscious

High-quality photography can help museums bring out the best in their collections. Rebecca Atkinson reports