Kent’s cultural calendar is bursting with must-see exhibitions this summer, offering a fresh perspective on everything from migration to maritime tragedy.
Whether you’re exploring historic portraits in Canterbury, discovering contemporary sculptures in Margate, or strolling through coastal installations in Folkestone, the school holidays are a perfect time to uncover the county’s rich heritage.
THE BEANEY HOUSE OF ART AND KNOWLEDGE, Canterbury
Canterbury’s free museum, The Beaney, has welcomed a brand new exhibition for the summer. Lives in Motion tells more than 50 stories of migration, dating back to the 11th century through to the present day, with a collection of portraits from the National Portrait Gallery.
The exhibition spans almost 1,000 years of history and explores themes of royalty, fame and contemporary tales. Each portrait delves into an original story, but they also represent the broader experience of countless people who have moved to Britain and made it their home.
Details: Open until Sunday, October 5 at the Beaney House of Art and Knowledge in Canterbury. Entry to the museum and exhibition is free, but you can book your slot online here. The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, closed on Monday.
FOLKESTONE TRIENNIAL
Breathe in the fresh sea air with this outdoor exhibition. The Folkestone Triennial, one of the UK’s biggest art festivals, is up and running with pop-up artwork dotted all over the coastal town. It only comes around once every three years and is a great chance to catch unique works by contemporary artists and rising creative talent.
The theme for the three-month event is How Lies the Land, which looks at the geology and geography of the area, dating back to the Stone Age. Visitors can admire work by 18 different artists, including Céline Condorelli, Emilija Škarnulytė, Hanna Tuulikki, Katie Paterson, Rae-Yen Song and Sara Trillo.
Details: Open until Sunday, October 19 at various locations in and around Folkestone. It’s all free to view and there’s no need to book.
MAIDSTONE MUSEUM
Our fascination with the ill-fated maiden voyage of the RMS Titanic seems to be never-ending, and Maidstone Museum’s new exhibition is another opportunity for history buffs to find out more about the shipwreck. Titanic: Honour and Glory tells the story of the luxury liner’s journey, from its construction to its sinking and rediscovery.
The touring exhibition is stopping off in Kent for two months, bringing artefacts and pictures to help retell the incredible story. It brings to life not only the ship, but also the passengers and crew, many of whom never made it back to land.
Details: Open until Saturday, September 20 at the Maidstone Museum. Entry to the museum is free, but the exhibition costs £4.50 for adults and £2.25 for children. No need to book. The museum is open Monday to Saturday during the school holidays and Wednesday to Saturday during term time.
ROCHESTER CATHEDRAL
For one month, a restored Short Scion Floatplane G-AEZF is being displayed inside a historic landmark. The wartime plane is available for the public to see inside Rochester Cathedral, just a few minutes’ walk from the old Short Brothers factory site on Rochester Esplanade, where it was originally built in 1937. The Medway Aircraft Preservation Society has spent several years working on the plane, bringing it back to its former glory.
During the plane’s time at the cathedral, there will be a series of free activities to coincide with the display, including talks and tours. There will also be a partner exhibition, Pioneers of Flight: Made in Medway, to run alongside the Floatplane display, exploring the area’s aviation history with artefacts and archive materials.
Details: Open until Sunday, August 31 at Rochester Cathedral. Entry to the cathedral and exhibition is free, but selected activities may have a separate cost. The cathedral is open from Monday to Saturday, and Sunday from 1pm to 3pm.
TURNER CONTEMPORARY, Margate
If you’re planning a day at the beach this summer, why not take a break from sunbathing to visit one of Kent’s best-loved art galleries? Turner Contemporary, located next to Margate’s Main Sands, boasts a changing range of exhibitions and collections, from photography exhibits to colourful paintings and avant-garde sculptures.
This summer, visitors can check out the Sunken Boat, an installation by Egyptian-Canadian artist Anna Boghiguian, who explores how the sea shaped the world’s labour, trade, ecology and political conflict. The exhibit combines sculpture, painting, cut-out figures and sound.
Details: Open until Sunday, October 26 at Turner Contemporary in Margate. Entry to the museum and exhibition is free, booking is optional but not necessary. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday, plus bank holidays.
