Blog article Articles
Collections - Mar 2025
Carnivalesque in the Far South West
The display cases in our Active Archives gallery are currently full of information and objects that explore the theme of carnival and its related traditions in the South West. They've been created in response to our 'John Lyons: Carnivalesque' exhibition and include some brilliant loans from local organisations and individuals as well as items from The Box. Here are five objects from the collections to look out for next time you visit!
Collections - Mar 2025
Carnival Queen costume
The Carnival Queen is usually the star of any carnival procession and this 1930s costume once worn by 'Miss Plymouth' can be seen on display in our 'Carnivalesque in the Far South West' display until 23 March. Discover more about it and the woman who wore it.
News - Feb 2025
How it started v How it's going - Part One
As we get closer to welcoming our millionth visit, and start thinking about how we're going to celebrate our fifth birthday this autumn, we thought we'd take a look back and remind ourselves just how far we've come since the Museum and Art Gallery, former Central Library building and St Luke's closed so The Box could be created. In this post, we're taking a look at some of the spaces on our ground floor. Let's step back in time!
Reimagining the Film Archive: Discoveries - Feb 2025
Revisiting Woven Legacies: The Tapestry of Craft, Migration and Heritage
In the latest Reimagining the Film Archives (RtFA) discovery, we revisit a clip from the BFI Player: 'A Woven History: Exploring Craft, Migration and Legacy in the Varanasi Carpet Traditions'.
News - Feb 2025
Celebrating the Chinese New Year
The new moon on 29 January marked the beginning of the Chinese New Year. Traditions differ and evolve over time but, in an increasingly fragmented world, the main message behind the celebrations that take place is for people to come together and wish each other peace and prosperity for the year ahead. To mark the start of the Year of the Snake, here are some related items from The Box’s collections.
Reimagining the Film Archive; Spotlight - Dec 2024
Spotlight on Megan Roberts
Megan Roberts, or Meg, is a participatory filmmaker who helps communities tell their stories on their own terms. She passionately believes that bringing people together through civic joy can make communities stronger. Meg is also the second recipient of the Emerging Artist Commission as part of the Reimagining the Film Archive (RtFA) programme.
Reimagining the Film Archive; Spotlight - Dec 2024
Spotlight on Arun Sood
Arun Sood is a Scottish-Indian writer, musician, academic, and intermedia artist whose diverse work captivates audiences across multiple forms. The Box is thrilled to be working with him on an emerging artist commission. Arun's focus will be on Power and Class, highlighting its impact on the south west.
Learning - Dec 2024
DesignLab Nation – creating a legacy for Devon and Cornwall’s future designers
Since 2021, The Box has been taking part in the Victoria and Albert Museum’s (V&A) national schools programme DesignLab Nation which inspires secondary school students to become the next generation of designers, makers and innovators.
Reimagining the Film Archive; Spotlight - Dec 2024
Spotlight on Claire Kayes
Claire Kayes is an early career researcher with a unique academic and professional background in art and inclusive education. Combined with her dynamic, evolving practice, this makes her an invaluable asset to The Box's research initiatives. Claire brings a fresh perspective on how language shapes inclusion - and exclusion - within the cultural sector.
Reimagining the Film Archive; Spotlight - Jul 2024
Sharing Practice: Cinema Rediscovered 2024
The Box's Media Archivist, Stacey Anderson and Reimagining the Film Archive Discovery Media Assistant, Zahra Khanum were recently invited to be part of an 'Opening up the Archive' panel discussion, alongside colleagues from the BFI National Archive. The event was part of 'Cinema Rediscovered 2024' in Bristol - Watershed’s annual festival dedicated to the rediscovery and revival of great films.