Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Birmingham Overview

Located at Chamberlain Square in Birmingham, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery is a huge complex showcasing a multiplicity of permanent galleries, collections and changing exhibitions throughout the year. The museum has over 40 galleries famous for its Pre-Raphaelite paintings displaying a wide range of applied art, display art, archaeology, ethnography and social history. The collection provides the visitors with a glimpse into the life, culture and history and the people of Birmingham.

The Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery boasts a collection of metalwork, jewellery, fine arts and ceramics. The collection of antiquities at the museum includes ancient coins of the middle ages, materials from the Roman Empire, Latin America and Classical Greece and artefacts from Ancient India, Ancient Egypt and Central Asia. There are stops for food and beverages inside the museum with a distinguished interior. The gift shop at the Birmingham Museum also displays artwork for sale.

Collections at Birmingham Museum

Art Gallery: Birmingham Museum houses a unique collection of Pre-Raphaelite art not found anywhere else in the world. There are over 3000 paintings, prints, designs and drawings which present the story of brotherhood and the revolutionary contribution of British art.

Ancient World: This Gallery showcases artefacts from over 3000 years of Egyptian culture, religious beliefs and life through the periods of Egyptian civilization and into the Coptic era. Egyptian goods, pottery, amulets and mummies are on display which put forward their beliefs towards death and afterlife.

History Gallery: This gallery presents a collection which traces back to the medieval beginnings of Victorian Birmingham. It also puts forward the grandeur of the town along with its role in the two world wars.

Children’s Gallery: The Mini Museum is an area designed exclusively to fascinate kids under the age of 5. There are storybooks, games and dressing up to introduce the little visitors to Birmingham's natural history and splendid art.

Contemporary and Modern Art: It brings forth British art, contemporary and modern art, printmaking and abstract painting collection.

Greek and Roman Gallery: Objects denoting Ancient Greeks and Romans over the past 7 centuries and World history are on display.

The Sultanganj Buddha: A unique idol of Buddha stands here which was among the first objects given to the museum.

Birmingham School of Art: The gallery presents the introduction of artwork around the 19th century by artists like Joseph Southall, Arthur Gaskin, Georgie Gaskin and Kate Bunce.

Baroque Art: There is a collection of exciting and unique subjects introduced around the 17th century such as still-life, portraiture and landscape which altered the definition of art.

Faith Gallery: The various faiths and beliefs of Birmingham’s rich and diverse community which have influenced and shaped the city can be witnessed here.

Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery — Inside the Birmingham Museum (Source)

History

In 1864, the first public exhibition room of the Birmingham Museum came into existence when a total of 64 pictures and the Sultanganj Buddha were donated to the Birmingham Council. 25 pictures were given by Joseph Nettlefold to the Art Gallery on the condition that it will open on Sundays.

In 1880, Allen Edward Everitt was given the post of honorary curator of the Art Gallery and Jesse Collings was the original proponent of the gallery. After receiving significant donations, the Prince of Wales opened the gallery officially on 28 November 1885 which was designed by Yeoville Thomason. The collection at the gallery was deemed to be ‘one of the finest and most handsome’ in Britain by the Magazine of Art. Seven galleries were rebuilt after being bombed in 1940.

Tips

Guided tours are available in around 150 languages through a Language Line.
Edwardian Tearooms, a snack station at the museum houses a number of eateries such as Hand Carved Ham, Vegetable Bhaji Burger, boulangerie, patisserie, English breakfast, Vegetarian breakfast and children’s meal.
Bridge Café, another snack station at the museum serves loose leaf tea, cakes, sandwiches, coffee and other flavoured beverages.

How To Reach Birmingham Museum

The Birmingham museum is located in Chamberlain Square and is accessible by public transport. The visitors can reach the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery by bus, rail, metro or bicycle.

Motorways: The nearest motorways to reach the museum are M5, M6 and M42.

Bus: Bus numbers 9, X10, 82, 87, 89, 120, 127 and 128 can be boarded.

Metro: The closest Midland Metro tram stations are Bull Street, St Chad's and Grand Central.

Rail: The rail can also be used to reach the Snow Hill Station or New Street Station which are a 10-minute walk away from the museum.

Bicycle: It is possible to rent a bicycle and visit the museum.

Car Park: The closest car park is 5 minutes away from the museum named Town Hall Car Park. Blue Badge Parking can also be used which is located at the Edmund Street and Margaret Street.