Exhibitions

Gifts for the Gods: Animal Mummies Revealed
A ground-breaking exhibition of over 60 animal mummies showing how modern science can help explain this ancient practice. Mummies of jackals, crocodiles, cats and birds are displayed alongside artefacts, art and never-seen-before archives documenting their history through the stories of the people who have investigated what lies within the wrappings.  This exhibition runs 8 October 2015 – 16 April 2016.

The Study
In September Manchester Museum opened The Study, a reworking of the entire top floor of its historic Grade II-listed building, it has been reimagined as a space designed to spark wonder, curiosity and a passion for research in all of its visitors.
Inside The Study, visitors will find a gallery, which opens with photography by West African artist, Nyaba Ouedraogo; a research space, filled with tools, resources and curious objects taken from the museum’s collection; an expanded collections study centre, for in-depth research; new work from Manchester Craft Mafia and an aquaponics installation by the Biospheric Studio, where a large-scale fish tank generates the nutrients needed to grow plants – a live research project supported by courses and information for those who want to find out more.

Nyaba Ouedraogo: The Phantoms of the Congo River
Nyaba Ouedraogo is a self-taught photographer born in Burkino Faso in 1978, now working and living between Paris and West Africa. The Phantoms of the Congo River is both a ballad to, and a deconstruction of, Joseph Conrad’s famous 19th century novel Heart of Darkness, which explored European colonialism and racism through the journey of an ivory transporter down the Congo River. Ouedraogo constructs his own scenes from the Congo, re-enacting scenes from the novel and following the journey taken in it, while questioning notions of savagery and the residues of colonialism. This exploration of territory through photography reminds us both of the development of colonial Africa, and the rich history of the people who live on the Congo’s banks. Alongside Ouedraogo’s photographs, the exhibition will be accompanied by some of Manchester Museum’s own objects from the Congo.  This exhibition runs until 10 April 2016.

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Family events and activities:

Let’s Storyboard
Sun 4 Oct, 2-4pm
Drop in, spaces limited, sign up on the day, free, ages 7+
Join in with the Big Draw, taking inspiration from the Museum’s collection you will be taken on a drawing and story making adventure. Discover how every picture tells a story and every story makes a picture. Part of Grandparents Day and the Big Draw.

Can’t draw, won’t draw
Sun 4 Oct, 10.30am–12.30pm
Spaces limited, book on 0161 275 2648
Join artist Lauren Iredale and practice a fundamental drawing skill using the Museum’s objects as inspiration. Discover some top tips for drawing and create your own masterpiece to take home. Part of Silver Sunday and the Big Draw.

Autism Friendly Early Opening
Sat 10 Oct, 9.15–10.30am
Drop-in, free, autism friendly, suitable for children and young people aged 5-16 with a parent or carer and siblings
Early openings at the Museum aimed at children who have autism and other needs, along with their families and carers, and siblings. Activities take place before the Museum opens to the general public and there will be a quiet room available too. See objects, do activities & make animals inspired by one of the Museum’s galleries. A different gallery will be open at each early opening. October’s Early Opening will take place in our Living Worlds gallery.

Baby Explorers
Tues 13 Oct, 11.30am-2.30pm
Visit www.manchester.ac.uk/museum for booking details, free
Drop in sensory play and interactive story sessions for babies who aren’t walking yet.

Let’s Draw
Sat 24 Oct, 1–4pm
Drop in, ages 7+ and parents/guardians
Meet artist Oliver East, as he shares some top tips for creating your own Comic Art. Create your own comic strip story about the animals on display at Manchester Museum, while finding out about the comic he is creating about Maharajah’s journey which will also form part of an exhibition at Manchester Museum in 2016. Part of the Big Draw.

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Solar System
Mon 26 Oct, 11am-4pm
Drop in, free, families
Venture into the world of planetary sciences and learn about our Solar System. Hold real pieces of Mars, meteorites, and even the Moon. Make meteorite craters, plan space missions, see how volcanos reshape planets, watch comets being created; and chat with some of the scientists currently working in planetary sciences.  Part of Manchester Science Festival

Baby Explorers
Tues 27 Oct, 11.30am-2.30pm
Visit www.manchester.ac.uk/museum for booking details, free
Drop in sensory play and interactive story sessions for babies who aren’t walking yet.

Mummifying Oranges
Tues 27, Wed 28 and Thurs 29 Oct, 1-2pm and 2.30-3.30pm
Visit eventbrite.co.uk/e/mummifying-oranges-tickets-18473811668 for booking details
Discover more about how and why ancient Egyptians mummified animals and the science behind mummification through this hands on activity. Part of Manchester Science Festival.

Let’s Dance: The Imagination Museum
Wed 28 Oct: 11.30am, 1.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm
Drop in, free, ages 7+ with parents/carers and younger siblings
Everything is not as it seems in The Imagination Museum.  Be introduced to Mildred, Henry and Harriet, three eccentric tour-guides who will bring to life a series of museum artefacts through words and movement.
The Imagination Museum has been created in collaboration with writer Anna Selby, with original music by Max Perryment. It will awaken everyone’s curiosity and desire to explore the nooks and crannies of the museum space.
The Dancing in Museums project is supported by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. Part of the Get Creative Family Arts Festival. Made by Katie Green.

The Butterfly’s Adventure
Thurs 29 Oct, 1.30 and 2.30pm
Spaces limited, sign up on the day, for children aged 5 plus and their accompanying parents/carers
Martin the fuzzy caterpillar’s bag is all packed ready for his biggest adventure yet. Can you help him through the grassy green meadow and across the raging river all in search of his missing wings?  Music, song and movement, join a family friendly performance brought to you in partnership with the 24:7 Theatre Festival and Scallywags Devising Collective. Part of the Family Arts Festival

Spooky Bat Tours
Thurs 29 Oct, 5-7.30pm
Visit manchestersciencefestival.com/ for booking details, ages 7+ and accompanying adults
Have you ever wondered how many kinds of bats there are?  Come along to the bat talk and tour and find out more.  See bats from the Museum’s collection and meet a Bat expert from the South Lancashire Bat Group, discover fascinating scientific facts about these nocturnal animals.
Create your own paper bat to take away as you venture on a spooky bats and friends, family friendly talk and tour of the museum. Bring your own snacks to enjoy in our Picnic Area, bat themed optional. Part of Manchester Science Festival and Museums at Night.

Magic Carpet: A Tadpole’s Tale
Fri 30 Oct, 10.30-11.30am and 11.30am-12.30pm
Book on 0161 275 2648 (from a week before from 2pm), free, under 5s and their families/carers (young babies welcome with older siblings)

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Story making and activity sessions.

Fascinating Fungi
Fri 30 Oct, 11am-4pm
Drop in, free, all ages, families
Did you know that the world’s first antibiotic came from Penicillin mould?  Ffind out many other fascinating facts about Fungi.
Get stuck into a variety of hands-on family activities including using microscopes to look at how fungi grows, examining different species and creating a fungus collage.
The North West Fungus Group (NWFG) studies mushrooms, spore dispersal and fungal diversity. Part of Manchester Science Festival.

Big Saturday: Science Spectacular
Sat 31 Oct, 11am-4pm
Drop in, free, all ages, families
Calling all budding scientists! Explore, build, and play! Ttake part in a range of challenging science quests at Manchester Museum. With more than 40 interactive experiments and demonstrations you don’t want to miss out on our family fun science activities for all ages at Manchester Museum and Whitworth Hall. Part of Manchester Science Festival.

Discovery Centre
Sats & Suns, 11am-4pm
Drop-in, free, all ages
Drop into the Discovery Centre for drawing and other art activities inspired by the Museum’s collection and pick up one of our free Museum activity sheets.

Hands-on
Drop-in, free, all ages
Throughout the week visit one of Manchester Museum’s handling tables and get hands-on with objects from the collection, such as an Alexander the Great coin, an urban fox and an ancient Egyptian scarab beetle.

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Talks, tours and workshops for adults:

Kate Mosse: The Taxidermist’s Daughter
Fri 16 Oct, 7pm
£8/£6, book via manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk
Manchester Literature Festival presents Kate Mosse, one of Britain’s best known novelists, who reads from and discusses her latest, haunting novel. Held – appropriately – among the taxidermy of the stunning Living Worlds Gallery, this looks set to be a one-off literary evening.

Rock Drop: Geology Identification Sessions
Thurs 22 Oct, 2-3pm
Drop-in, free
Curator of Earth Sciences, David Gelsthorpe, will be available once a month to answer your questions and identify your rocks and fossils.

The science behind animal mummies, in six objects
Fri 23 Oct, 1-2pm
Visit manchestersciencefestival.com for booking details, free
Imaging techniques, 3D printing and chemical analysis are just a few of the methods used to learn more about the animal mummies of Ancient Egypt, which are showcased in the exhibition Gift for the Gods: Animal Mummies Revealed. This talk closely examines six exhibition objects, using science to uncover details from over 2,000 years ago.

Stroke: Stories of the self through art and science
Thurs 29 Oct, 12-5pm
Drop-in, free
Life after a stroke is commonly very different to life before. Coinciding with World Stroke Day, this exhibition reveals the complex emotional challenges faced by stroke survivors through their own creative works, including expressive masks and interviews produced during workshops. It follows last year’s successful Science Stroke Art project.

FoodHack: Shrooming the Technos
Thurs 29 Oct, 5.30-9pm
Free but booking essential at thestudymcr.com
The Biospheric Studio has developed the first hyperlocal mushroom farm in Manchester, supplying some of the best restaurants in the city. Are you a great north-west based technologist? Break the rules and rethink the way we can integrate ecology and technology to produce food for the future.

Materia Medica meets CurARTive
Thurs 29 Oct, 6-9pm
Drop in, free
Several modern medicines have been derived, developed and synthesized from unlikely organic materials. This evening challenges preconceptions about modern pharmaceuticals; and questions our relationship with both ‘big pharma’ and natural remedies. Meanwhile, Lucy Burscough’s CurARTive exhibition reflects her work with patients within the Central Manchester NHS Trust.

Ginesis: Distill my beating heart
Thurs 29 Oct, 7-10pm
Visit manchestersciencefestival.com for booking details, £21.85 (includes fee)
Enjoy a gin-tasting session with a difference, as local blogger Charlie Hooson-Sykes is joined by two master distillers to explain the origins, scientific background and development of one of the UK’s favourite tipples. Discuss why gin was created, where it comes from and how it’s made.

Taster tours
Every Wed & Thurs, 1pm
Drop-in (no need to book), free, meet at the Information Desk (Floor G)
Join one of Manchester Museum’s Visitor Services Assistants for a tour and learn more about some of the fascinating objects on display at the Museum. Tours are drop-in and focus on different aspects of the Museum and its collections each time.