The write stuff
A volunteer-run museum in Birmingham tells the story of how the city was once the centre of the world pen trade. By Sharon Heal
Reviews
School of Genius: A History of the Royal Academy of Arts
The highs and lows of the Royal Academy of Arts are neatly traced in this book through a wonderful mix of information, anecdotes and gossip, says Timothy Mason
Creature discomforts: The Animals’ War, Imperial War Museum, London
Animals and war should be a winning combination. But RachelSouhami is unimpressed by an exhibition that fails to be informative or exciting
Islamic Showcase: Jameel Gallery of Islamic Art, V&A, London
The V&A has finally given its important Islamic art collection the home it deserves, although the gallery could have been better connected to the rest of the museum, argues Jane Weeks
Updating Tradition: Egyptian Galleries, Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge
Jane Morris finds the Fitzwilliam has gone for evolution rather than revolution in its reworked Egyptian displays
Thoroughly modern: Pallant House Gallery, Chichester
Caroline Worthington applauds the transformation of Chichester's Pallant House into an elegant and accessible modern art gallery
Private passion
Sharon Heal visits west London to see how order has been restored to the vast and eclectic collection of Thomas Layton
Book Review: Public Art, Thinking Museums Differently
The vogue for museums focusing on experiences rather than objects need not be a disaster, writes Colin Hynson. Museums just need to learn from public art
Enforcing abolition
Julia Edge on a compact exhibition that follows the role Britain's navy played in trying to stop slave traders in the wake of the abolition act
Kids’ stuff
Rebecca Mileham says the National Trust needs to build on its winning approach to interpretation for children at Chastleton House to make the property a real success
Travels with my armchair
Maria Blyzinsky enjoys the new home of a museum that contains the remarkable range of objects amassed by the Victorian collectors Richard and Henry Cuming
A sketchy start
Middlesbrough's new art space may be glamorous and informal, but the content falls way short of what the city deserves, writes Caroline Worthington