Glasgow - City of Empire
- Tickets
-
Free - no ticket required
- Dates and times
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7th Oct 2023 - 31st Dec 2024
Check venue opening times
Glasgow - City of Empire is a co-curated exhibition with Our Shared Cultural Heritage Changemakers, a group of young people exploring the shared cultures and histories of the UK and South Asia.
Through framing how Glasgow’s past and present have been heavily shaped and influenced by histories of slavery and empire, the exhibition presents a vision of how Glasgow Life Museums might better address histories and legacies of transatlantic slavery and British colonialism.
The
display explores several themes including Glasgow’s connections to
transatlantic slavery, Glasgow and Empire and anti-racist activism.
City
of Empire includes the display of a range of objects from the Glasgow Museums
collection that connect to Empire, including sculpture of Lakshmibai the
warrior queen of Jhansi, who led resistance forces in the Indian rebellion of
1857, objects connected to the Black Lives Matter protests of 2020 and objects
connected to Glasgow’s International Exhibitions of 1888 and 1911. It further
includes digital content that explores Glasgow’s links to transatlantic slavery
and the influence of colonialism on education.
Presented alongside Glasgow – City of Empire, is Anam Ki Almari (The Trophy Cupboard) by Aqsa Arif. Arif has been the 20/20 artist-in-residence for Kelvingrove since August 2022. Anam Ki Almari presents the culmination of her research into Glasgow Life Museums’ collection as a film installation and ceramic works. For this new commissioned she creatively re-appropriates the 1888 Glasgow International Exhibition, specifically the Indian Pavilion, exploring rituals, traditions and the communal act of making as a way to overcome subjugation and reclaim the colonial gaze.
See this new exhibition on the South Balcony in Kelvingrove Museum.
Accessibility guides
Read the accessibility guide for Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum on AccessAble
Further information on accessibility can be found on Euan's Guide website
View the Kelvingrove Floor Plan. Documents can be requested in Braille and large print.
Accessible toilets
The accessible toilets are available on all floors.
Assistance dogs
Guide and assistance dogs are welcome.
Hearing loop
Hearing loop available within venue.
You can also visit our British Sign Language and International Sign Video Library here to watch a welcome video for every Glasgow Museum.
Wheelchair access
There is wheelchair and pram access to all public areas using the lifts.
Baby changing
Baby feeding
Cloakroom
£2 charge - cash only.
Cafe or restaurant
KG Café
Our café is situated in the lower level of the museum with some tables positioned in the conservatory area overlooking the park. The café is operated by table service and is licensed serving spirits, wines, and bottled beers as well as a range of soft drinks. The menu offers options for starters, mains, and desserts but also a range of handmade sandwiches for a lighter option. Hot beverages are available as well as a range of home baking. Dietary requirements are well catered for, including vegan, gluten and dairy free options. Where possible we work with local suppliers and capture seasonality within the menu.
KG Coffee Shop
The coffee shop situated in the main hall on the upper ground floor is a more casual option with counter service but offers a magnificent view of the main hall. The coffee shop offers a range of hot and cold drinks, sandwiches, light bites and home baking. Dietary requirements are catered for, including vegan, gluten and dairy free options. Where possible we work with local suppliers and capture seasonality within the menu. Seating can occasionally be limited due to daytime events taking place in the hall.
Have a look at our sample menu
Parking
There are 142 parking spaces in the car park, 10 of which are for blue badge holders and 2 are for EV charging.
Payment can be made either by coins, no notes or cards, or by the RingGo phone /app.
For more information about the RingGo process, please visit the RingGo Cashless Parking page on the Glasgow City Parking website.
- Up to 1 hour £2.50
- 1-2 hours £5.00
- 2-3 hours £7.50
- 3-4 hours £7.50
- 4-10 hours £10.00
Mon-Sun 6pm-8am, £3 flat rate.
Blue badge parking
There are designated parking spaces (10) for Blue Badge holders and parking is free with no time restriction, subject to display of a valid permit. The spaces do not have to be booked in advance. For car park enquiries please contact 0141 276 1830.
Photography and video recording
At times, Glasgow Life will be on the premises to film and take photos.
Free wifi
The building has free WiFi.
Access multiple language museum guides for Kelvingrove collections.
View Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum on Google Maps.
Use Traveline Scotland to plan your visit via public transport.
Train - The closest train stations are Partick (PTK), Charing Cross (CHC) and Exhibition Centre (EXG). These stations are roughly 1 mile away from Kelvingrove.
The lines for these stations run through the Low-Level platforms, at Glasgow Central (GLC) for Partick and Exhibition Centre and Glasgow Queen Street (GLQ) for Partick and Charing Cross.
Glasgow Central and Glasgow Queen Street are roughly 1.5 to 2 miles away from Kelvingrove.
Underground - The closest Subway station is Kelvinhall, which is roughly ½ mile away.
Bus - The bus stops at the front of Kelvingrove, on Argyle Street, have regular services from both directions. Services include:
- First Bus- services 2, 3 & 77
- McGill’s - service 17
- The City Sightseeing buses
Please note: If you are coming into Glasgow by train and planning to use a PlusBus ticket, the 100 bus and the City Sightseeing buses are not covered.
Bike Hire - The Next Bike bicycle hire scheme is also in operation around Glasgow, with locations to pick up and drop off around the city.
Car - Please note: the A814 Clydeside Expressway Westbound will be closed due to major roadworks from Monday 26 October for 6 weeks. Diversions will be in place, if you would travel via this route please allow a little extra time for your journey.
Accessibility - In case it is of use to anyone in your party, the AccessAble website has some useful accessibility information.