From 20 February 2023 - 19 February 2027 | Available during opening hours Show all dates and times Images: Reel Master Production Fresh from its recent return home to the Natural History Museum, Dippy the Diplodocus (DIP-low-DOCK-us) stomped into Coventry as our dino-residence at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum! Dippy the dinosaur is a life-size, plaster-of-paris replica of a Diplodocus carnegii skeleton. It became the first Diplodocus to go on display anywhere in the world when it was gifted to the Natural History Museum by Andrew Carnegie on 12 May 1905. It quickly became a star, capturing hearts and imaginations, and went on to complete a whirlwind tour of the UK in 2017. After a brief return home to London, Dippy headed to Coventry in 2023, and has now extended their visit until 2027! Diplodocus carnegii lived during the Late Jurassic period, about 155 – 145 million years ago and their skeletons have been found in North America. They were huge, plant-eating dinosaurs, with long whip-like tails. They grew to about 24-26 metres long and probably weighed up to around 15 tonnes. For comparison, a London double-decker bus is around 14 metres long and weighs 12 tonnes. Sign up to our newsletter or follow #DippyInCov on social media for updates. Dippy the diplodocus is on loan from the Natural History Museum, London

Tuesday 21 February 2023 - Sunday 21 February 2027 | Available during opening hours Show all dates and times Presented in collaboration with Warwickshire Museum, this free fossil display will take you back in time to the Jurassic era, a time when much of the region was underwater. A selection of fossils drawn from both the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum and Warwickshire Museum collections offer a fascinating insight into the strange sea creatures that swam through Coventry and Warwickshire between 200 and 145 million years ago. The display includes our star fossil - an ichthyosaur skull found in Harbury. Held in the Herbert's covered court by Dippy. In April 2024, Annabelle Elvis, aged 6, won our naming ichthuosaur naming competition. The fossil was found in a Harbury Cement Quarry and has been part of Herbert Art Gallery & Museum’s collection since the early 1960s. In 2023, the Ichthyosaur received some much-needed restoration work, which has outlined a flurry of new details. Pictured: Annabelle Elvis with Curator, Ali Wells

Available During Opening Times (including Bank Holiday Monday | Friday 14 November 2025 - Monday 25 May 2026 Show all dates and times Stories That Made Us – Roots, Resilience, Representation traces the experiences of a South Asian family in Coventry from 1968 to 2010, drawing on Coventry Archives’ Virk Collection and curator & artist Hardish Virk’s personal archive. Through sound, film, photographs, books, magazines, posters, vinyl records, cassettes and immersive design, the exhibition explores migration, activism and cultural identity across generations. Coventry is home to a vibrant South Asian community, with 18.5% of the city’s population identifying as Asian or Asian British (2021 Census). Despite this, the stories and contributions of South Asian communities are often underrepresented in public collections and exhibitions. This project aims to address this gap by preserving and sharing the heritage of South Asian migrants and their descendants, ensuring their stories are accessible to future generations. Anchored by the themes of Roots (the journey of migration and the contributions of South Asian communities to British society), Resilience (the challenges faced and overcome by migrants and their families), and Representation (the importance of telling these stories authentically and without stereotyping), it asks urgent questions: whose stories are preserved, how are they told, and what does it mean to claim space within institutional memory? This is an exhibition about legacy, belonging and narratives that shape our cities. #StoriesThatMadeUs

Tuesdays (Coventry term-time only) | 10.30am - 11.00am adds context by using a physical object to give words meaning; extends learning through play and increases their opportunities to develop good listening and language skills. Sessions take place in different galleries each week, simply ask at the Welcome Desk when you arrive to find out what space we will be in so your little ones can experience our collections through play. Covid-19 Safety Measures We want you to feel safe and assured that attending our Sensory Stories and Rhymes sessions will enable you to have a fun and engaging experience with your children. Here is what we are doing to ensure this for you:

Group bookings available on request - please email for details Show all dates and times These sessions are designed for those in need of additional support, due to health, wellbeing support, memory or concentration loss. Designed for age 50+, but all are welcome. Join us for an informal discussion and exploration of our visual arts collection. These sessions are designed for those in need of additional support, due to health, wellbeing support, memory or concentration loss. Led by our arts education specialist, participants will encounter a relaxed environment, with seating available and the knowledge that the talk will be delivered in a way that suits the needs of those in the group. We will offer a safe space for you to enjoy relaxed time together to study our visual arts collections, with the support and encouragement of our team. We do not expect all participants to actively join in with conversation, but they are welcome to if they feel comfortable doing so. We welcome questions, knowledge sharing and your suggestions for future Awaken the Arts sessions, so if you have a particular art piece you would like us to focus on, please ask and we will include this is future sessions. Friends, partners and care givers are welcome to join in, to share the experience with their loved ones. Awaken the Arts needs to be booked in advance for groups, which can be booked to suit the date/time of your regular group meet ups. For further information or to book, please contact Lisa Ford, Learning and Engagement Manager by emailing [email protected]

Tuesday-Sunday | Various Time Slots Available Show all dates and times Image: Garry Jones Step into the heart of Coventry’s culture with our Highlights Tour – the perfect way to explore the treasures of the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum. Led by one of our friendly and knowledgeable tour guides, they will share fascinating stories and surprising facts about the art and history that make the Herbert so special. Enjoy the Herbert in a quieter, more exclusive setting with our private after-hours tours. Perfect for clubs, societies, work colleagues, or friends who want to share a unique cultural experience after the crowds have gone. To book, speak to the team at our Welcome Desk or email [email protected] with the quantity within your group for our group or after hours bookings.

Friday 20 February – Sunday 19 April 2026 | Available During Opening Hours Show all dates and times Image: Golden River by Pat McHale This is the Coventry Art Societies’ 17th exhibition at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum. The show presents a diverse and inspiring collection of artworks created by members of art societies and art groups across Coventry and Warwickshire, featuring paintings, sculpture, ceramics and more. Members of 11 art groups are taking part in the exhibition: 

Tuesday 31 March - Friday 10 April (excluding Saturdays & Sundays) | 10:30am - 3:30pm Show all dates and times All materials provided. Suitable for ages 3+ with adult supervision Discover what makes each of us unique as we create art inspired by themes of family, heritage, belonging, and community. We will use different materials and recyclable resources to build story homes, design message banners, and create mixed-media portraits to take home and treasure. The exhibition showcases a South Asian family's journey in Coventry from 1968 to 2010, featuring room settings filled with photographs, music, books, posters, and personal treasures from the Virk Collection. These objects tell powerful stories about where we come from, who we are, and the communities we build together. Tuesday 31 March & Wednesday 1 April | Story Homes Build a miniature model home that tells your family's story. Create rooms inspired by your past, present, or dreams for the future. Use lollipop sticks, matchsticks, dowels, and glue to construct your unique home. Then, decorate the outside using colourful markers and paper to personalise your family's memories and capture memorable moments. Thursday 2 & Friday 3 April | Banner Making Design a mini banner with a positive message that matters to you. Choose words of kindness, hope, or change that you'd like to share with your community. Using fabric, colourful materials, and embellishments, create a beautiful banner to display proudly in your window at home. Discover how art can spread important messages in gentle, creative ways. Monday 6, Tuesday 7, Wednesday 8, April | Samosa Pack Prints Take inspiration from the humble samosa packet that tells South Asian stories. Food plays a vital role in bringing communities and families together through shared meals and cherished traditions. Learn the process of making your own samosa packet out of paper, then use mono-printing techniques to express your messages and drawings. Take home a samosa recipe to try with your family. Thursday 9 & Friday 10 | Moving Stories Discover this joyful South Asian art tradition where drivers turn everyday vehicles into moving galleries with spectacular displays of creativity! Truck art combines beautiful patterns, cheerful messages, and folklore symbols to celebrate culture and stories. Using bright pens and decorative materials, transform your cardboard truck with vibrant eagles, colourful kites, playful animals, and fun catchphrases.

Thursdays | 2 & 9 April 2026 | 9am - 4pm Show all dates and times Price includes refreshments and admission to the museum. This Easter, we are drawing inspiration from our Stories That Made Us living history exhibition, exploring the powerful themes of Roots, Resilience, and Representation through exciting artistic activities led by professional artists. Your young creators will work alongside artist Julia Snowdon to construct an impressive 80s sculpture, discovering how art can tell stories about our past and present. They'll also collaborate with storyteller Amy Wilde to create shadow puppets and bring narratives to life, exploring how stories shape our understanding of heritage and identity. Through these immersive art masterclasses, children will engage with history, culture, and creativity while developing their artistic skills in the inspiring gallery environment. Each activity is designed to help young artists discover how art can express identity, celebrate resilience, and honour our diverse roots. Thursday 2 April 2026 | 9am - 4pm | £15 per person | For ages 7-11 | Book Online Join artist Julia Snowdin to explore the Stories That Made Us and to create your very own sculpture that represents the stories that made you. For the Easter Half Term Holiday Club, you will have the opportunity to take a tour around Stories That Made Us, where you will explore the themes of Roots, Resilience, and Representation. You will spend time in Hardish Virk’s 80s-bedroom installation exploring the artefacts that represent him to inspire your sculpture. In the Learning Space, we will think about what your roots are, the ways that you represent yourself, and what makes you resilient. Taking inspiration from these themes, we will create an 80s-style bedroom sculpture using clay, papier-mâché, junk modelling materials, neon paints, and sparkles. Dedicated to our 7-11-year-olds, our Herbert Holiday Kids Clubs invite those who are curious about The Arts and are looking for a whole-day experience of getting hands-on with specialised Art activities. A hot lunches, snacks and refreshments will be provided throughout the day. Thursday 9 April 2026 | 9am - 4pm | £15 per person | For ages 7-11 | Book Online Join artist Amy Wilde in this special shadow puppet kids club session exploring South Asian shadow puppetry inspired by Stories That Made Us—an exhibition celebrating the journeys, resilience, and contributions of South Asian families who have made Coventry home. Discover the materials, techniques, and theatrics of this traditional art form as you design and make puppet characters. Each child will have the opportunity to create puppets and invent their own stories to perform using their handmade creations. Dedicated to our 7-11-year-olds, our Herbert Holiday Kids Clubs invite those who are curious about the arts and are looking for a whole day experience of getting hands-on with specialised Art activities. Lunches, snacks, water and squashes are provided throughout the day.

Monday - Thursday | 6, 7, 8 & 9 April 2026 | 10am - 3.30pm Show all dates and times Workshops aimed at ages 14+. For younger age groups: Crafting Stories: Celebrate Heritage, Family and Community Through Art Step into our vibrant pop-up exhibition celebrating the rich heritage of South Asian families in Coventry. Inspired by the Stories That Made Us - Roots, Resilience, Representation exhibition, which showcases the lived experiences of a South Asian family in Coventry from 1968 to 2010, featuring immersive room settings, oral histories, radio broadcasts, music, video and graphics to bring these stories to life. Share Your Story - Community Conversation Table: This isn't just an exhibition, it's a conversation. We invite you to contribute your own lived experiences to this growing collection. Bring family photographs, newspaper clippings, cherished objects, your stories and memories. Your contributions will shape our understanding of migration, activism, identity and the cultural contributions that have enriched our city, helping us to build a deeper understanding of South Asian heritage in Coventry. Live Art in Action: Throughout the pop-up, a dynamic, real-time artwork will emerge on the walls, responding to the stories and objects on display. Community Pinboard: Add your voice to our growing collection. Pin up poetry, photographs, drawings or messages on our community board, or contribute to our scrapbook. Share what South Asian culture means to you and express your experiences creatively. Everyone's contribution helps build our shared story. Open Mic for spoken word poetry performance: Experience the talents of South Asian poets, musicians and storytellers who will bring the space to life with performances throughout the week. From spoken word to music, these artists celebrate cultural heritage through creative expression. Drop in anytime. Share your story. Experience live culture. Be part of the exhibition Our Stories and Heritage celebrates the journeys, resilience and contributions of South Asian families who have made Coventry home. Events are free to attend, however Herbert admission fee applies Adult Art Masterclass: Powerful Poetry Monday 6 April 2026 | 10.30am-12pm | FREE | Book Online Join poet Dev for a South Asian themed poetry workshop at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum. Suitable for all experience levels, this session will guide you through techniques to tap into your creative intuition and develop your own poetic voice. This workshop offers a welcoming, supportive environment for participants to write, learn and explore themes of South Asian culture and heritage. Poetry Performance Monday 6 April 2026 | 1pm-1.15pm | FREE | Drop in Join us for a powerful opening performance by the collective that created the soundscape and spoken-word piece currently on display at the museum. Expertly led by Navkiran and Ode Creatives, experience their shared stories of roots, resilience and representation through poetry and performance. Open Mic: Community Open Mic Monday 6 April 2026 | 1.30pm-4pm | FREE | Book Online Please note this is a family event and falls during the easter holidays, and the content must be suitable for all ages. Join us at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum for an afternoon of open mic poetry celebrating South Asian culture, hosted by poet Dev (@poetnamedev). Whether you'd like to perform or simply listen, this event welcomes all voices and perspectives. Secure your performance slot in advance or drop in on the day. We aim to inspire, encourage and connect through shared experiences of South Asian culture and heritage. Stories That Made Us - Oral History Drop-In Sessions: Record Your Story with Coventry Archives Tuesday 7 April 2026 | 11.45am-1.15pm, 1.45pm-3.15pm | FREE | Drop in Meet Cultural Ambassadors from the Stories That Made Us – Roots, Resilience, Representation exhibition and learn about oral history with Coventry Archives Manager Mike Bevan. Hear recorded stories, discover how community memories are preserved, and record your own oral history to contribute to Coventry's heritage. Adult Art Masterclass: Messages Across Generations: Portraits, Letters & the Masterji Wednesday 8 April 2026 | 10.30am-1pm | FREE | Book Online Step back to a time before email, when families shared stories through handwritten letters, audio tapes and treasured studio photographs. Join artist Tarla Patel (@t_a_r_l_a) to explore her Masterji archive work, create and print your own portraits, and create a heartfelt letter or audio message to send to someone you love. Stories That Made Us - Exploring the Virk Collection: A Hands-On Archives Workshop Thursday 9 April 2026 | 11.45am-1.15pm | FREE | Book Online Explore the remarkable Virk Collection with Coventry Archives. Handle archival materials capturing South Asian heritage in Coventry, then share your own story through a personal object. Discover how everyday items preserve identity, memory and community legacy. Led by Archives Assistant Shaniece Martin. Stories That Made Us Tours: With Curator and Artist Hardish Virk Tuesday 7 & Thursday 9 April 2026 | 10.30am-11.45am | FREE | Drop in / first come, first serve Join curator and artist Hardish Virk on a tour of the dynamic and immersive exhibition, Stories That Made Us - Roots, Resilience, Representation. This is an interactive tour that gives visitors the opportunity to ask questions and share reflections with one of the exhibition's curators.

Saturday 7 March - Monday 4 May 2026 | Available during opening hours Show all dates and times Saturday Town is an award-winning photographic project celebrating youth style, fashion and self-expression. Since 2013 Casey Orr has travelled the UK, photographing young people in towns and cities on Saturday afternoons, documenting changing society as seen through youth culture, fashion, tribes and identity. The pop-up portrait studio has worked with hundreds of young people, spanning a decade of major changes in culture​, style and diverse identities – as well as​ the ways we use our public spaces.  Multiple locations, exhibitions, partners and collaborations culminated in an exhibition at Open Eye Gallery, Liverpool, in 2024 as well as books and publications including Saturday Girl, Bluecoat Press 2020. Saturday Town is about the powerful, playful language of fashion and how changing culture can be read through portraiture, youth culture and fashion. The project co-creates a programme with outputs and opportunities for engagement across platforms and audiences. As part of the exhibition, photographer Casey Orr hosted three photoshoots in Coventry to capture the city's youth culture in 2026 during February and March. Thank you to everyone that attended and a selection of the portraits will be displayed within the exhibition from the end of March.

14 September, 5 October, 9 November, 7 December 2023, 11 January 2024 | 10.30am - 12pm & 1.30pm – 3.00pm Show all dates and times For ages 0-4. There is tons of creative fun for little hands and feet in this relaxed and engaging art session. Babies and toddlers will have the opportunity to explore various materials across the sessions including paint, glitter, paste, sand, clay, slimy spaghetti, chalk and much more. Messy play is an important element of early childhood development, appealing to children’s curiosity and helping them to understand the world through their senses. These sessions will also expose them to early mark making, enabling them to develop good concentration, muscle control and encourage their imaginations. Be prepared to get messy for both children and adults! 6 July – Coventry Street Art: Taking inspiration from our Work on Walls exhibition, your little ones will have all the fun transforming the studio into a colourful street art scene. They can run wild, spray painting onto canvased walls with watered down paint and use paint dabbers, hands and feet to colour inside bold shapes. Tuft trays of sensory mess and colourful playdough will encourage play and the opportunity to sculpt your own street scene. 14 September – Last of Summer: One of our favourite themes to celebrate! Delve into our sandpits, sculpt pom-pom paper ice-creams, bring to life sunny scenes with hand printing, with this colourful Mini Makers session. 5 October – Wildlife Wonders: Taking inspiration from the Wildlife Photography Exhibition this October, join us in capturing the awe and wonder of our natural environment, with its colourful wildlife and plant forms. Explore our nature inspired sensory trays to sculpture your favourite wildlife creatures using colourful play dough. Also explore mark making wild handprints and take them home in sparkly photo frames made by you. 9 November – City full of Lights: Celebrate special events happening throughout November with an abundance of sparkle, colour and pattern. Our youngest visitors will make splash-tastic fireworks, explore crackling sensory trays, create clay diva lamps, and explore pattern making with rice on our rangoli tables. 7 December – Jingle Bells: An invitation to join us for some very messy festive fun! Dive into trays filled with cinnamon scented cloud dough, bells and fluffy snow. Make sooty footprints as you walk in the footsteps of Santa, ice biscuits and make your own unique and colourful decorations to take home this festive season. 11 January – Winter Wonders: In the calm and quiet of January, embrace the winter season with serene sensory play. Children will explore small world ice trays, dive feet first into foamy snow, make melted snowmen paintings and cute keepsake handprint mittens. It is advisable that you and your child wear items of clothing that you are happy to risk getting paint on. Whilst the paint is water based it may stain if not washed out quickly. Many of our regular visitors have a dedicated 'messy' outfit for the purposes of enjoying this session to its fullest extent, with a spare outfit to change into afterwards.

1st Tuesday of every month | 8 February, 8 March, 5 April, 3 May & 7 June | 10.30am - 12.00pm Show all dates and times Each month, guided by a member of our friendly museum team, we will provide craft resources, conversation and a hot drink and something sweet too! Designed for people aged 60+ (but all are welcome) You will be guided and supported by a member of our friendly museum team. We will provide craft resources that will encourage you to learn new skills and experience different materials, but you are welcome to bring along your own craft projects to share and talk about too. You may end up teaching us a thing or two! The Create and Craft café, will take place in Alfreds Café at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, and is an opportunity to renew social networks and reconnect with communities. Look out for the sign-posted tables with a member of staff there to greet you. You will also have a hot drink and something sweet too from the café included. For further information, please contact Lisa Ford, Learning and Engagement Manager: [email protected]

The Stinky Streets of Old Coventry: Plague, Pongs & Puddles Step back in time… if you dare! Explore the foulest, most pungent corners of Coventry, from the infamous Dead Lane to overflowing churchyards at Holy Trinity. Discover the heroic (and slightly horrified) Coventry characters who battle puddles, pong, and plague in a city that smells worse than your worst nightmares. Perfect for history lovers with a sense of humour and a strong stomach! Only kidding, this is Coventry 2025... Expect: Dark history, shocking stories, and more than a whiff of the past. Warning: May cause sudden appreciation for modern plumbing.

Wednesday 3 September - April 2026 | Available During Opening Hours Show all dates and times Find out about Coventry’s old school library, founded more than 450 years ago! See a magnificent medieval manuscript and discover what a Tudor schoolchild would have been reading. 

Thursdays & Fridays | 10 & 11 April, 15 & 16 May, 19 & 20 June 2025 | 10.30am - 11.30am & 1.00pm - 2.00pm Show all dates and times Designed for ages 0 - 4 | Spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis Museum admission fees apply from1 April 2025. Let imaginations soar as your child learns to play creatively in this interactive space. Explore and grow using inspiring sensory materials, where the possibilities are endless! Using open-ended items babies and young children are free to use their imaginations and take their play experience in the direction that they wish to. This session is hands-on, for even the youngest of children, assisting with fine motor skill development, gross motor skills, hand-eye coordination, problem solving and social interaction. Above all else it is fun and offers you a wonderful opportunity to play with your child in a relaxed and engaging environment.