Patrons’ Programme - Exclusive Events2
Exclusive Patrons' Programme events range from curator-led private tours of our exhibitions, to intimate 'show and tells' of handpicked items from the Library’s collection and visits to renowned arts and cultural organisations across London.
All the events listed below are by invitation only. For those wishing to join the Patrons’ Programme, you can do so online here or for more information, please contact Abby Wilson on patrons@bl.uk or 020 7418 7331.
Current Patrons can reserve their place for any of the events below by contacting Abby.3
Forthcoming events - Autumn/Winter 2015x
Marion Wallace, lead curator of our West Africa exhibition will lead a guided tour for Patrons before the Library opens to the public. This is an ideal opportunity to learn moer about the themes of the exhibition, its key items and to gain our lead curator's perspective on the West African collection at the Library. Refreshments will be served as you arrive, followed by the tour.
Please note that all events are subject to change.
Past events:
Illustrated Talk - The Age of Wonder and Beyond
Friday 7 March
Historian Richard Holmes gives a lively account of the extraordinary late 18th century revolution in the physical sciences and traces their surprising metaphysical impact on the Romantic writers of the day, including Keats and Byron.
Show and tell - Shakespeare at the British Library
Tuesday 11 March
In 2016, the Library will be staging an exhibition to mark 400 years since Shakespeare's death. The Library's collection is rich in Shakespeare material, from early printed books, manuscripts, quartos, folios and music featured in his writings. Join our curators for an intimate 'show and tell' of this amazing collection.
Tour and private view - India Office Records: The Qatar Partnership
Monday 7 April
The British Library has held the records of the East India Company and the India Office since 1982. In partnership with the Qatar Foundation and the Qatar National Library, we are re-cataloguing and digitising historical items from these records relating to the Gulf region, opening up over half a million pages of archives and manuscripts to anyone in the world. Join our tour and see at first hand th3e work involved, followed by a 'show and tell' of some of the fascinating items being digitised.
Opening reception and private view - Comics Unmasked: Art and Anarchy in the UK
Thursday 1 May
Featuring some of the biggest names in comics, including Alan Moore (Watchmen, V for Vendetta), Neil Gaiman (Sandman), Mark Millar (Kick-Ass) and Grant Morrison (Batman: Arkham Asylum), the British comics tradition stretches back to the Victorian era and beyond. Our summer exhibition explores the full potential of the medium, demystifying the process of creating comics, while presenting work that is challenging to the status quo.