HOW TO FIND GREAT GALLERIES AND EXHIBITIONS
INTRODUCTION
Museums and galleries are important places for us to see and experience art, and in doing so they help us understand more about ourselves, the world around us and our place within it. Great collections and exhibitions do more than that though. They also allow us to understand more about other people, other ideas, other times, and other places. They help us think about art, how it is made and what it means. These questions help us understand the who, where, when, how and what of art, but also the why and for whom. This introduction to how to find great galleries and exhibitions (and what to do when you get there) is intended to help you think about, with and through the artworks you encounter. We want you to connect with new concepts, open up new areas of enquiry, but more than anything we want to help you to think about art and its histories in new and exciting ways.
The guide is divided into four main sections that cover why art and art history matter, how to find museums, galleries and other art spaces, some suggestions on how to get the most out of your visit, and ways in which you can develop your interests. At the end of the guide (which you can also download as a PDF) you’ll find a list of links to useful websites which are also highlighted throughout.
Our huge thanks go to Jorella Andrews of the Department of Visual Cultures, Goldsmiths, University of London for writing this guide and for letting us share her insights with you.