Children's arms holding paintbrushes and working collaboratively on bright abstract pour paintings inspired by Frank Bowling’s abstract paintings.

Ancient Egypt, Flowers and Abstract Art – no problem for the Arts Ambassadors

by and | 10.06.26

For more than a decade, the Fitzwilliam Museum and Kettle’s Yard have worked in partnership to run an annual project with North Cambridge Academy (NCA), to support Year 8 students in achieving a Bronze Arts Award. This year all 12 NCA students have passed with flying colours. They took inspiration from the bright and joyful works of Frank Bowling at the Fitzwilliam Museum, and explored artist Harold Offeh’s playful work at Kettle’s Yard, as well as creating a video for the… Read full article

A sheet of music with handwritten notes.

Messiah to Memorabilia: Exploring the Fitzwilliam Museum’s Music Collection

by | 01.06.26

From February 2026, Royal Holloway PhD student Adrianna Chmielewska had the opportunity to carry out her second year placement at the Fitzwilliam Museum. This blog showcases a couple of highlights which reflect the sheer variety of the Museum’s Music collection. What fascinates me about them is that, like many historical objects, they leave us with as many questions as answers…. Read full article


View more posts in Latest
A sheet of music with handwritten notes.

Messiah to Memorabilia: Exploring the Fitzwilliam Museum’s Music Collection

by | 01.06.26

From February 2026, Royal Holloway PhD student Adrianna Chmielewska had the opportunity to carry out her second year placement at the Fitzwilliam Museum. This blog showcases a couple of highlights which reflect the sheer variety of the Museum’s Music collection. What fascinates me about them is that, like many historical objects, they leave us with as many questions as answers…. Read full article

Museum Assistant Director Jack Ashby leans over a balcony to look at the fin whale hanging from the ceiling of the Museum, whilst holding his phone.

Exploring AI at the Museum of Zoology

by | 06.11.25

For the last year, the Museum of Zoology has invited the public to chat to museum animals in an innovative AI experiment. What has the Museum learnt? Since October 2024, visitors have been able to ‘chat’ with 13 specimens in the Museum of Zoology, from the dodo and the fin whale to a cockroach or a butterfly. You simply scan… Read full article


View more posts in Collections
A close up of the Young Producers display with wall-mounted long-sleeved top and weavings, and a sign reading The Gifts with further information. Three young producers' heads are visible looking towards the display.

Young Producers share new display Celebrating The Gifts

by | 17.06.26

Since September 2026, the Fitzwilliam Museum Learning team has been working with a group of 12 Young Producers. This new and permanent offer brings youth voice into our programming, whilst providing an inclusive space for 18 to 25 year olds. They can go behind the scenes, co-produce events, express themselves and be creative. “Coming to the museum is the highlight… Read full article

Children's arms holding paintbrushes and working collaboratively on bright abstract pour paintings inspired by Frank Bowling’s abstract paintings.

Ancient Egypt, Flowers and Abstract Art – no problem for the Arts Ambassadors

by and | 10.06.26

For more than a decade, the Fitzwilliam Museum and Kettle’s Yard have worked in partnership to run an annual project with North Cambridge Academy (NCA), to support Year 8 students in achieving a Bronze Arts Award. This year all 12 NCA students have passed with flying colours. They took inspiration from the bright and joyful works of Frank Bowling at the Fitzwilliam Museum, and explored artist Harold Offeh’s playful work at Kettle’s Yard, as well as creating a video for the… Read full article


View more posts in Engagement
The garden of the Arthur Rank Hospice with green lawn, statue and the wooden clad Arthur's Shed building.

Exploring the therapeutic effect of object handling

by | 27.02.26

In Autumn 2025, the Arthur Rank Hospice invited the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (MAA) to deliver a six-week programme of object-handling sessions for outpatients. Sarah Talks and Rosie Croysdale from the MAA Education Team worked alongside Sophie Wakefield, Art Therapist and Life Celebration Coordinator at Arthur Rank Hospice Charity (ARHC). The sessions took place at Arthur’s Shed, a multipurpose… Read full article

The group of students and staff standing outside the Centre for Material Culture holding a large illustrated drawing of the Fitzwilliam Museum.

Supporting young people with SEND to discover museum jobs

by and | 09.12.25

Earlier this year, the University of Cambridge Museums (UCM) piloted a new programme of work experience for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Our current programme for young people with SEND offers a broad range of creative opportunities, but it has lacked progression for older participants, especially those transitioning into adulthood and employment. Looking to address these… Read full article


View more posts in Health & Wellbeing
A close up of the Young Producers display with wall-mounted long-sleeved top and weavings, and a sign reading The Gifts with further information. Three young producers' heads are visible looking towards the display.

Young Producers share new display Celebrating The Gifts

by | 17.06.26

Since September 2026, the Fitzwilliam Museum Learning team has been working with a group of 12 Young Producers. This new and permanent offer brings youth voice into our programming, whilst providing an inclusive space for 18 to 25 year olds. They can go behind the scenes, co-produce events, express themselves and be creative. “Coming to the museum is the highlight… Read full article

Museum Assistant Director Jack Ashby leans over a balcony to look at the fin whale hanging from the ceiling of the Museum, whilst holding his phone.

Exploring AI at the Museum of Zoology

by | 06.11.25

For the last year, the Museum of Zoology has invited the public to chat to museum animals in an innovative AI experiment. What has the Museum learnt? Since October 2024, visitors have been able to ‘chat’ with 13 specimens in the Museum of Zoology, from the dodo and the fin whale to a cockroach or a butterfly. You simply scan… Read full article


View more posts in Making change
The group of students and staff standing outside the Centre for Material Culture holding a large illustrated drawing of the Fitzwilliam Museum.

Supporting young people with SEND to discover museum jobs

by and | 09.12.25

Earlier this year, the University of Cambridge Museums (UCM) piloted a new programme of work experience for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Our current programme for young people with SEND offers a broad range of creative opportunities, but it has lacked progression for older participants, especially those transitioning into adulthood and employment. Looking to address these… Read full article

Museum Assistant Director Jack Ashby leans over a balcony to look at the fin whale hanging from the ceiling of the Museum, whilst holding his phone.

Exploring AI at the Museum of Zoology

by | 06.11.25

For the last year, the Museum of Zoology has invited the public to chat to museum animals in an innovative AI experiment. What has the Museum learnt? Since October 2024, visitors have been able to ‘chat’ with 13 specimens in the Museum of Zoology, from the dodo and the fin whale to a cockroach or a butterfly. You simply scan… Read full article


View more posts in Museum life
A sheet of music with handwritten notes.

Messiah to Memorabilia: Exploring the Fitzwilliam Museum’s Music Collection

by | 01.06.26

From February 2026, Royal Holloway PhD student Adrianna Chmielewska had the opportunity to carry out her second year placement at the Fitzwilliam Museum. This blog showcases a couple of highlights which reflect the sheer variety of the Museum’s Music collection. What fascinates me about them is that, like many historical objects, they leave us with as many questions as answers…. Read full article

An older person holding a shell in one hand and tracing it in the other.

Museum Collections, Occupational Therapy and Stroke Rehabilitation

by | 30.06.25

At the end of last year, we introduced a new student placement in collaboration with Cambridge University Hospitals, exploring how museum objects and artworks can support therapy for stroke rehabilitation patients. The placement was an exciting step forward in our ongoing collaboration with the Occupational Therapists at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, which has developed over the last three years. In… Read full article


View more posts in Research & Practice