Blog article Articles
Press Release - Apr 2026
The Box makes history: shortlisted for Art Fund Museum of the Year 2026
The Box Plymouth has been named one of five finalists for Art Fund Museum of the Year 2026, the world's largest and most prestigious museum prize, putting the city on the national cultural map.
Art - Apr 2026
Collections Insight: A new display in North Hall
A new display featuring four paintings from The Box's art collection has just gone on display in our North Hall gallery. The paintings provide a glimpse into the breadth and depth of the collection and are also giving us an opportunity to share the stories behind them and some new research. Discover more about them here.
Press Release - Apr 2026
The Box Plymouth smashes records as landmark year delivers 356k visits
Plymouth's world-class cultural destination ends its fifth year with record-breaking figures, a blockbuster Beryl Cook exhibition drawing visitors from across the UK, and an ambitious summer season ahead.
Press Release - Mar 2026
Two new Beryl Cook sculptures join the family
Two new life-sized sculptures inspired by Beryl Cook’s much-loved painting Hips and Chips have been unveiled today near the Belvedere on Plymouth Hoe, adding to the growing trail across the waterfront and city centre that celebrates her life and work.
News - Mar 2026
Inspired by Beryl Cook
The four life-sized Beryl Cook sculptures that are located around Plymouth have been more popular than we could have hoped for since they were installed. They've created some great selfie moments too! As we seek a planning permission extension to keep them in place until at least 2029, here's more about the paintings that inspired them.
Press Release - Feb 2026
The Box celebrates record-breaking year as visitor numbers continue to rise
One month after its landmark 'Beryl Cook: Pride and Joy' exhibition launched, The Box has officially recorded its busiest year since it opened in 2020.
Press Release - Feb 2026
The Box and Arts University Plymouth launch ‘Where’s Your Head At?’ Children and Young People’s Open
Free to enter and open to ages 0–25 across the South West, ‘Where’s Your Head At?’ invites young artists to explore the theme of ‘Art and Emotion’, with selected works set to be displayed at The Box this summer.
Press Release - Feb 2026
The Box is the Museum in Residence at Downing Street
The Box has been selected as Museum in Residence at Downing Street for 2026, bringing Plymouth's remarkable artistic and maritime heritage to the nation's most iconic address.
Press Release - Dec 2025
Twixmas at The Box
Schools out and many of us are now in holiday mode or dealing with last-minute festive preparations, but if you're thinking about what to do with your family, friends and time off over the next few days or during 'Twixmas' - that strange stretch between Christmas and New Year that seems to have a rhythm all of its own - we hope this handy checklist will help!
Press Release - Dec 2025
Beryl Cook: Pride and Joy - Centenary exhibition repositions Britain's most popular painter as radical voice of 20th century British life
100 years after her birth, Beryl Cook (1926-2008) once named Britain's most popular painter is finally receiving the serious artistic recognition that eluded her during her lifetime. The Box’s landmark exhibition, 'Beryl Cook: Pride and Joy' opens on 24 January 2026 and will fundamentally reassess Cook's significance as a chronicler of everyday life during Britain's most tumultuous period of social transformation.
Collections - Dec 2025
Collections Insight: Polar specimen gives staff the shivers
This specimen from the herbarium at The Box certainly gave some of the Collections Team the shivers when they came across it recently while they were carrying out an inventory. It’s Cerastium alpinum, more commonly known as Alpine mouse ear or Alpine chickweed, and although it might look pretty humble, it has connections to some historic events and people - and a sad and somewhat gruesome tale of failed survival.
Collections - Nov 2025
Collections Insight: Plymouth and Poland Connections
In 1976, a twinning agreement was established between Plymouth and the Polish city of Gdynia to promote international cooperation. It strengthened bonds that had been forged during the Second World War and has included many cultural exchanges since. As part of our 'Remember Respond Resist' exhibition, a display in our first floor Bridge gallery features items from the archives that relate to this relationship between Plymouth and Poland. Here are a few of the highlights.