Patrons' events

Patrons' preview of 'Picasso: printmaker'

During a special evening in November, Patrons were invited to view the critically acclaimed exhibition Picasso: printmaker before it opened to the public. This exhibition spans Picasso's entire career and follows his engagement with different printmaking techniques. Patrons were some of the first to view the exhibition and had the opportunity to speak with Simon Sainsbury Keeper of Prints and Drawings, Hugo Chapman, and the lead exhibition curator, Catherine Daunt, alongside viewing additional works inside the Prints and Drawings Study Room.

Patrons' Open House 2024

Held annually, Patrons' Open House highlights objects in the Museum collection, allowing Patrons to explore different histories and cultures after the Museum has closed to the public. A key moment in the Patrons calendar, our community of Patrons are able to get closer to the work taking place behind-the-scenes at the Museum.

Director's Dinner 2024

In June 2024, Museum Director Nicholas Cullinan was delighted to welcome long-term supporters and new friends to a dinner celebrating the Museum's achievements from the previous year. Held in the splendour of the Great Court, guests had the opportunity to hear from Museum experts about the work taking place behind the scenes and to see a selection of objects up close.

Japan Patrons' trip 2024

In April 2024, Patrons had the opportunity to travel across Japan, accompanied by British Museum staff. Dr Rosina Buckland, Curator of the Japanese Collections, and Dr Akiko Yano, Mitsubishi Corporation Project Curator of Japanese Collections, led daily visits to explore how the traditional and the contemporary in Japan come together to create a unique cultural tapestry.

From the oldest national museum in the country to a silk painting workshop and a 17th-century castle, the vibrant itinerary gave Patrons a unique chance to learn more about Japan's extraordinary history to contextualise the British Museum's continually growing collection.

Patrons' tour of the Archive 2024

Patrons joined Senior Archivist, Francesca Hillier, for a behind-the-scenes look at the Museum's archives in March 2024. Housed in the famous Reading Room, Patrons enjoyed looking at highlights of the Museum's history since its foundation in 1753, including one of the original Hans Sloane catalogues. This private tour offered a fascinating new perspective on the history of the collection and the people who have worked and studied at the Museum.

© Benedict Johnson