The museum has announced its exhibition programme for 2026, including an exploration of the career of one of Britain’s most famous designers and never-before-seen impressionist masterpieces.
The exhibition programme at the Bowes Museum in County Durham will feature three shows celebrating creativity in the worlds of art, crafts and fashion.
Vicky Sturrs, director of programmes and collections said: “2026 is a year of firsts at The Bowes Museum, a moment to connect past and present through new perspectives. From a bespoke partnership featuring French works never seen before in this country, to the first major Northern retrospective of Vivienne Westwood and the redisplay of the Blackborne Lace Collection after 20 years, each exhibition offers an original way to experience objects, artists and their stories.”
She added: “Together, these exhibitions reflect the spirit that has always defined The Bowes — Joséphine Bowes’ belief in creativity, curiosity and the importance of sharing art with others. Our 2026 programme continues that legacy, celebrating innovation and connection, and bringing world-class art to the North East.”
The museum houses a collection of over 58,000 objects, including contemporary art, fashion and designs and works by masters such as Goya, Canaletto, and Van Dyck.
Iconic fashion
Running from 28th March to 6th September 2026, Vivienne Westwood: Rebel – Storyteller – Visionary will chart Vivienne Westwood’s career in the world of fashion, spanning the early 1980s to 2000s.
The exhibition will feature many pieces from rarely seen private collections, offering a glimpse into the iconic designer’s artistry that defied convention and challenged the fashion world.
Visitors will be able to explore the creation of Westwood’s work with mock-up tests, digitally deconstructed garments, and complete outfits presented in chronological order. These are accompanied by historical objects from The Bowes Museum’s own collection.
Impressionist masterpieces
From 26th September 2026 to 14th March 2027, Impressionist masterpieces from France, never-before-seen in the UK will be on display at the Bowes Museum for the exhibition Impressions of Light: Masterpieces from MuMa – Le Havre and The Bowes Museum.
The exhibition will feature works by Claude Monet, Eugène Boudin, Gustave Courbet, Camille Pissarro and Raoul Dufy, tracing the evolution of landscape painting and exploring how artists use light, colour and atmosphere within landscape painting.
North of England’s lace legacy
The Bowes Museum will commemorate the extraordinary gift and enduring national significance of the Blackborne Lace Collection to the North of England through a major exhibition from 14th November 2026 to 11 April 2027.
Lace and Legacy: Fashion Treasures from the Blackborne Collection explores the antique lace trade through the Blackborne family business and reveals how lace was once the ultimate symbol of luxury.
It will feature portraits, garments and comparisons with other decorative arts, alongside student work developed through a research partnership with the National Gallery and Northumbria University.
Group visits to the Bowes Museum
The Bowes Museum welcomes groups of 12 or more with discounted entry when booking in advance. Groups can take advantage of benefits including curatorial and behind-the-scenes tours which can be tailored to specific interests, guided tours and gallery talks, group lunches, and itinerary plans including partner attractions.
Both the group organiser and driver receive complimentary admission and there is free on-site parking for coaches.
For more information about the Bowes Museum, visit thebowesmuseum.org.uk.
