Writer and photographer Caleb Azumah Nelson visits Bristol Museum & Art Gallery with his partner, theatre-maker and poet Esme Allman. Together they encounter art that speaks to Bristol’s radical history, explore an exhibition of work by one of their favourite artists, Ghanaian photographer James Barnor, and discover how a project led by the museum’s Young Collective has brought fresh new perspectives to the museum’s collection. Notes:  The exhibition James Barnor: Ghanaian Modernist is at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery until 31 October 2021.  You can find out more about the Uncomfortable Truths podcast project, and listen to the episodes, at bristolmuseums.org.uk/stories/uncomfortable-truths  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Meet Me at the Museum

Caleb Azumah Nelson at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery

Actor and writer Lolita Chakrabarti takes her friend, artist Sara Shamma, to the Horniman Museum & Gardens in London, where they explore a collection that’s full of surprises. As they wander the galleries and grounds, the unusual items they discover prompt conversations about their inspirations as artists, the stories we tell about the past, and memories of time spent together as friends and neighbours. And – they even make a furry friend on the Animal Walk.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Lolita Chakrabarti at the Horniman Museum & Gardens

Actor Jack Lowden takes his friend and fellow actor Andrew Rothney to the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, where they indulge their passion for Scottish history and explore the stories of key people and events, including Mary, Queen of Scots and the Jacobite uprisings. Together they discuss how meeting at drama school led to a shared love of castles and adventures, how they’ve taken on the roles of historical figures as actors, and their own personal connections to the artefacts they discover.    See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Jack Lowden at the National Museum of Scotland

Join us for series 6 of Meet Me at the Museum from 7 October, where our star presenters discover fascinating stories at some of their favourite museums across the UK. Join actor Jack Lowden at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh; actor and writer Lolita Chakrabarti at the Horniman Museum and Gardens in London; writer and photographer Caleb Azumah Nelson at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery; host of The Guilty Feminist podcast Deborah Frances-White and actor Russell Tovey at the Design Museum; and more. To hear every episode, follow Meet Me at the Museum wherever you get your podcasts.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Coming soon: Meet Me at the Museum - series 6

Writer and poet Benjamin Zephaniah explores Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery with his friend Robert, where they reminisce about growing up in the city, the people who’ve shaped it, and Birmingham’s cultural and political history. Together they look at Benjamin’s first-ever typewriter, where his journey as a writer began, artefacts from important protests, and a very special installation – an original curry house booth.Series 5 of Meet Me at the Museum was recorded in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Benjamin Zephaniah at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery

Actor Mathew Horne visits the Museum of Brands in London with his partner, set designer Celina Bassili, where they encounter a remarkable collection of objects, packaging and design that tell a fascinating story about modern life. Together they enter the museum’s ‘time tunnel’, where iconic products from the past 150 years spark conversations about nostalgia, the power of advertising, and how brands have shaped their lives and informed their professions.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mathew Horne at the Museum of Brands

Musician and singer-songwriter Kizzy Crawford takes her sister Neli Shields to National Museum Cardiff, where they take a trip through time and explore aspects of Welsh history and culture. Together they reflect on their ideas of home and belonging, growing up in a creative family, and how they can relate to some of the figures they encounter at the museum – including another pair of art-loving siblings from history.Credits:Audio clips of Bokani and Paul Robeson are part of a sound art installation within the exhibit (un)Seen (un)Heard. With thanks to the British Library for providing copies.Series 5 of Meet Me at the Museum was recorded in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Kizzy Crawford at National Museum Cardiff

Poet and social activist Malik Al Nasir visits the International Slavery Museum in Liverpool with his friend and colleague Leona Vaughn, exploring the important and harrowing story of the transatlantic slave trade, resistance and abolition, and the enduring impact of these events on the world today. The pair take an emotional journey through the stories of black women in history, the challenges posed by displaying sensitive subject matter, and their own personal stories of family and ancestry.Guidance for listeners: Please be aware that this episode of Meet Me at the Museum contains audio which some may find upsetting.Series 5 of Meet Me at the Museum was recorded in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Malik Al Nasir at the International Slavery Museum

Comedian Fern Brady takes her boyfriend Conor to the Roman Baths in Bath, where they discover how the Romans’ ‘curse tablets’ compare to irate Facebook statuses of today, look at the representation of sexuality in Roman times, and even get to taste a sample of the water. During their visit they consider what connects us with the Romans through time, and how people have used the Baths as a meeting place for thousands of years.  Series 5 of Meet Me at the Museum was recorded in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Fern Brady at the Roman Baths

Writer and podcaster Elizabeth Day takes her husband Justin Basini to the Imperial War Museum in London, where they uncover poignant and personal stories of displacement, home and identity affecting people around the world today. Together they look at events from the First World War to the present day, explore objects synonymous with war and reflect on their families’ own experiences of conflict. Note: As part of their visit Elizabeth and Justin experience some of the temporary exhibitions in the museum’s current ‘Refugees’ season (closing 23 May 2021). With museums expected to reopen on 17 May, you’ve only got a week to see this season at IWM London and its sister exhibition, Aid Workers, at IWM North in Manchester, but keep an eye on the museums’ social media channels for updates. Series 5 of Meet Me at the Museum was recorded in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines. Credits: The immersive experience A Face to Open Doors, by artists Anagram, and Refugees: Forced to Flee, an exhibition supported by AHRC and ESRC, form part of IWM’s Refugees season. The season is free to visit at IWM London until 23 May 2021 (iwm.org.uk/refugees). Score for Battle of the Somme film – Laura RossiThank you to artist Grace Schwindt and musician Tobias Vethake for use of the music from Remembering Home, on display in the exhibition Refugees: Forced to Flee.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Elizabeth Day at the Imperial War Museum, London

Meet Me at the Museum is back! Join us for series 5 of the silver British Podcast Award-winning show from 11 March, featuring six new episodes including Elizabeth Day at the Imperial War Museum, Benjamin Zephaniah at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, and Mathew Horne at the Museum of Brands. To hear every episode, please subscribe to Meet Me at the Museum wherever you listen to your podcasts.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Coming soon: Meet Me at the Museum - series 5

A bonus episode of the new Art Fund podcast, Art and Stuff. Join Ben Miller as he explores the history of one of the grandest objects of furniture in the land, the Great Bed of Ware, part of the collection at the V&A in London. Made in the 16th century, it has been host to thousands of somnolent occupants over the years. Ben hears more about its fascinating story from curator Nick Humphrey and writer Jonathan Ruffle, while sleep experts Sasha Handley and Colin Espie share some interesting nuggets on the science of sleep and the curious nature of our bedtime habits.If you love Meet Me at the Museum, we'll sure you'll enjoy Art and Stuff! To hear every episode, please subscribe to Art and Stuff wherever you listen to your podcasts.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Art and Stuff: The Great Bed of Ware

A short trailer to introduce a new podcast from Art Fund called Art and Stuff. Join guest presenter Ben Miller as he takes a closer look at some of the most fascinating stuff inside our museums. From bits of buried treasure to iconic portraits to outlandish furniture, what do these things say about us? Each episode a range of people share their expertise and passion, revealing the incredible stories behind the objects we collect, curate and cherish. If you love Meet Me at the Museum, we'll sure you'll enjoy Art and Stuff! The new 10-part series begins on 10 December. To hear every episode, please subscribe to Art and Stuff wherever you listen to your podcasts.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Introducing: Art and Stuff

In this special episode, comedian Russell Kane speaks to a variety of guests about how the lockdown has affected cultural venues across the UK and explores why museums matter more than ever. Alistair Hudson, director of the Whitworth Gallery in Manchester and Elinor Morgan, head of programme at MIMA in Middlesbrough, talk about the positive role museums can play in the community; writer and critic Olivia Laing examines the ways art can help during a crisis; and arts influencer Katy Hessel constructs an imaginary museum full of some of her favourite works of art.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Special: Why museums matter with Russell Kane

Broadcaster Anneka Rice takes her friend, actor and writer Imogen Stubbs, to Osborne House on the Isle of Wight, the former palatial holiday home of Queen Victoria, where they get to explore the house’s opulent interiors, reminisce about the time Anneka landed in a helicopter there for the 80s TV show Treasure Hunt, and find out more about Victoria and Albert’s distinctly progressive attitude toward parenting.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Anneka Rice at Osborne House

Famous faces take their best mate, their mum, their neighbour (whoever they want) for an afternoon at a favourite museum or gallery. As well as getting a peek behind the scenes, seeing what makes a museum tick, it's also the starting point for some great conversations about life, the universe and everything. As well as a chance to eat lots of cake in the cafe.Meet Me at the Museum is published by Art Fund, the UK’s national charity for art, which raises money for museums and galleries through the National Art Pass – a neat little card that gets you free or reduced-price entry to hundreds of great cultural venues and exhibitions around the country. The podcast is produced by Whistledown.

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Meet Me at the Museum

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