All Articles
Reimagining the Film Archive: Discoveries - Jun 2025
Rediscovering the Concorde Festival: A Story from the Archive at Dartington
How a buried school performance from 1986 reveals the silences and power within our archives.
Art - Jun 2025
Spotlight On: René Magritte
Surrealist artist René Magritte (1898-1967) had a unique ability to take something ordinary and make people see it in different and unexpected ways – asking questions about nature and the boundaries of reality. 'Forbidden Territories: 100 Years of Surreal Landscapes' (until 7 September 2025) includes two fascinating works by him.
Reimagining the Film Archive: Discoveries - Jun 2025
Celebrating National Volunteers’ Week at Reimagining the Film Archives
Every Friday morning at The Box, something truly special unfolds. The hum of equipment, the rustle of tape reels, and the buzz of conversation all signal one thing: our amazing volunteers are in the building.
Press Release - Jun 2025
‘Surreal Estates’ showcases creative talents of South West’s children and young people
Works of art by over 260 children and young people from across the region are now on display at The Box following a competition that took place earlier in 2025 inspired by surrealism and landscape.
Archives - May 2025
In conversation: Tyler Mellins on the making of 'The Witching Hour' (2025)
A surreal and stirring new commission has launched this May at The Box as part of our Reimagining the Film Archive (RtFA) programme. 'The Witching Hour' is a fragmented dreamscape, collaged with a Surrealist spirit that stitches together footage held in the South West Film & Television Archive Collection at The Box.
Press Release - May 2025
Major exhibition of Surrealist art ready to open at The Box
'Forbidden Territories: 100 Years of Surreal Landscapes' explores the impact and legacies of one of the twentieth century’s most influential artistic, intellectual and literary movements and is on display from 24 May until 7 September 2025.
News - May 2025
Bringing the light: 'The Hop' by Jyll Bradley
Originally commissioned for The Hayward Gallery, London in 2022, ‘The Hop’ is an interactive sculpture by artist Jyll Bradley. With its vibrant colours that reflect different patterns as the light moves across Tavistock Place throughout the day, it’s unmissable as you arrive at The Box. It's also the perfect introduction to Bradley’s practice and her ‘Running and Returning’ exhibition in our St Luke’s church gallery.
Press Release - May 2025
National blue plaque honours first black footballer to captain a league team and receive England call up
Historic England has unveiled a national blue plaque in Plymouth to honour the life and career of John 'Jack' Leslie, the first Black footballer to captain a Football League team. This plaque marks Leslie’s footballing talent and celebrates the 100th anniversary year of his call-up as a reserve for the England squad in October 1925. Though this honour was later rescinded, it was an important moment in the history of English football.
News - May 2025
How it started v How it's going - Part Two
Can you remember what your workplace looked like nearly ten years ago? Now we’ve welcomed our millionth visitor, and as we prepare for what we hope will be a busy summer, we’re back with a second look at how much things have changed since we turned the former City Museum and Art Gallery, Central Library building and St Luke's church into The Box. In this post, we look at some of the spaces on our first floor as well as the exterior of our main building.
Press Release - May 2025
Historic blue plaque will honour remarkable Plymouth man
A historic blue plaque will be unveiled in Plymouth in July in memory of Ralph Alger Bagnold OBE FRS KL (1896-1990), a scientist, explorer and military man whose ground breaking work has been recognised by NASA.
History - May 2025
VE Day 80: Make Do and Remember Through Wartime Wardrobes
As we mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day on 8 May, we’re taking a look at some of the items in the collections held at The Box that reflect the everyday resilience of civilians on the home front.
Press Release - Apr 2025
The Box wins a second Muddy Stilettos award
Staff at The Box are celebrating after the venue was announced as the winner of the ‘Best Arts, Culture and Theatre’ category in the 2025 Devon Muddy Stilettos Awards.