British Museum - What's on in April

What's on April 2017

Our American Dream exhibition is open! Full of inspiring and incisive works, the show has been getting a lot of attention:   ★★★★ 'Bold and powerful' – The Times ★★★★ 'I defy anyone not to be charmed' – The Daily Telegraph But why now? Why American art? And why at the British Museum? We've written a blog post explaining why the UK's first major exhibition of American printmaking from the 1960s onward is here at the Museum – read it here. Last month also saw the launch of an exciting film project that will bring the work of Japanese artist Hokusai to a cinema near you this summer! Shot in stunning ultra HD, the film will examine Hokusai's prints and paintings in exceptional detail. Find out more.  Planning a trip to the Museum this Easter? We're open every day, including 10.00–17.30 on Good Friday. Plan your visit here.

Special exhibitions

The American Dream:  pop to the present Until 18 June   Superstars, sunsets and subversion – trace 60 years of dynamic and turbulent American history through the work of artists including Warhol, Lichtenstein, Rauschenberg and the Guerrilla Girls.   Sponsored by Morgan Stanley. Supported by the Terra Foundation for American Art. BOOK NOW ›

Hokusai: beyond the Great Wave 25 May – 13 August In April, Japan celebrates the cherry blossom festival of Hanami. A centuries-old tradition, Hokusai captured the beauty of the blossom and the optimism of spring in his sublime works from the 1800s. You can see work by Japan's greatest artist in our special exhibition opening in May! Supported by Mitsubishi Corporation BOOK NOW ›

Free exhibitions and displays

Places of the mind: British watercolour landscapes 1850–1950 Until 27 August 2017 Follow how artists responded to social and cultural upheavals in two halves of very different centuries.  Supported in memory of Melvin R Seiden David Hockney: fourteen poems from CP Cavafy Until 14 May 2017 A small display of etchings by Hockney, published in 1967, that were inspired by the works of poet Constantine Cavafy – particularly those about love and desire between men.

The Asahi Shimbun Displays Moving stories: three journeys Until 30 April 2017 This display focuses on three stories of migration – million-year-old footprints discovered at Happisburgh in Norfolk, a story of exile by Iraqi artist Sadik Kwaish Alfraji, and an abstract journey told by poet Édouard Glissant. Supported by The Asahi Shimbun Where the Thunderbird lives Until 27 August 2017 This exhibition features the cultural traditions of Northwest Coast Peoples, highlighting visually stunning art, regalia and tools.   Supported by the High Commission of Canada in the UK. Additional support by Steven Larcombe and Sonya Leydecker and the PF Charitable Trust.

ALL FREE EXHIBITIONS ›

Events

Holiday activities The American Dream: a pop of colour Come to the Museum for family activities inspired by the colour and pattern of the artworks in our major exhibition. Mon 3 Apr – Fri 7 Apr, 11.00–16.00 Free, just drop in FIND OUT MORE ›

Performance The Crick Crack Club presents 7 Princesses Storyteller Xanthe Gresham Knight and musician Arash Moradi serve up a wild Persian fairytale. Sun 9 Apr, 14.30 £8, Members/concessions £6 BOOK NOW ›

Film Film About A Woman Who... In this film, choreographer and performer Yvonne Rainer offers a provocative insight into early 1970s feminism. Sat 8 Apr, 14.00 £3, Members/concessions £2 BOOK NOW ›

ALL EVENTS ›