Space Age: Exploration, Design and Popular Culture
5th June – 10th October 2010 (This exhibition is now closed)
New Walk Museum & Art Gallery
This summer's must-see exhibition for all ages. Space Age: Exploration, Design & Popular Culture takes you on a journey through the cosmos to explore how space has become part of our lives through popular culture, literature, film, television, design and merchandising.
Space Age Image Gallery
Explore the fantasy worlds and objects inspired by the space race. From Ziggy Stardust to Star Wars, Fritz Lang to Doctor Who, the exhibition contains four areas spanning Space Exploration, Space Fashion, Fantasy and In the Home.
The exhibition is accompanied by an exciting range of events and school and families resources. Please see below for more details.
Space Age: Exploration, Design and Popular Culture is a touring exhibition organised by the V&A Museum of Childhood.
Schools & Families Space Age Resources
A series of free resources will be available for schools and families to use to stimulate discussion and activity around the exhibition.
Object Cards focus on a selection of exhibits and are available to pick up in the gallery, whilst Activity Backpacks contain fun and creative activities, including those focusing on materials and literacy. Booking is essential for school groups to ensure availability. Please contact 0116 225 4910 for bookings and further details.
Space Age Events
All Space Age events take place at New Walk Museum & Art Gallery. For more information, or to book, please call 0116 225 4900.
Space Age Exhibition Has Lift Off!
Saturday 5th June
11.00am – 4.00pm
A fun filled activity day including a fancy dress competition with prizes, face painting, mask making and cookie decorating with Autograph coffee shop. View the collector’s table of space toys or come along and listen to our Space Storyteller. Drop in event, suitable for the whole family. £2.00 for activities, small charge for cookies.
Comet Making
Saturday 19th June
1.00pm – 4.30pm
Come along and learn about comets, meteorites and asteroids and make your own comet. Event organised by Physics and Astronomy Department at the University of Leicester. Pre-booking recommended.
Man on the Moon Day – How to be an Astronaut
Wednesday 21st July
11.00am – 4.00pm
With a UK Space Agency just forming and a British astronaut in the European Space Agency, the future is indeed bright for young hopefuls to travel into space and set foot on the Moon or Mars. On the 41st anniversary of the Apollo moon landing, take part in this interactive talk to see if you have what it takes to be Britain’s next Astronaut! Event organised by Physics and Astronomy Department at the University of Leicester. Pre-booking recommended.
Afternoon Lecture: The Zodiac Men - Medieval Thoughts on the Cosmos
Friday 23rd July
2.00pm
An illustrated talk by Dr Richard Jones from Leicester University on medieval ideas of the stars and planets. Suitable for ages 14 and over.
Space Age Storytelling
Thursday 29th July & Wednesday 25th August
1.00pm – 1.40pm, 2.00pm – 2.40pm & 3.00pm – 3.40pm
Come along and join in with the Leicester Libraries storyteller and listen to tales from above and beyond! Suitable for ages 3 – 10.
The Life of a Star!
Tuesday 3rd August
1.00pm – 4.30pm
Did you know that the billions of stars that you see at night are all different colours? That some stars end their lives with a bang and some with a whimper? Hear all about the life and death of stars, what their colours mean and how astronomers tell the difference. See what stars are made of and take home a pair of spectral glasses! Event organised by Physics and Astronomy Department at the University of Leicester. Pre-booking recommended.
Robbie the Robot Storyboard Writing & Afternoon Storyteller
Saturday 14th August
10.30am – 12.30pm,
Storytelling from 1.00 pm – 1.40pm, 2.00pm – 2.40pm,
3.00pm – 3.40pm
Create your own cartoon storyboard in the morning to take away with you, then in the afternoon, sit back and enjoy a story from the Leicester Libraries storyteller. Suitable for ages 3 -10. £2.00 for materials.
Robot Workshop with Ashley Green
Tuesday 17th August
1.00pm - 4.30pm
Red Rover simulates future robotic activities on the red planet using a remotely controlled LEGO mobile robot on a Mars mat. The exhibit also includes a LEGOmaster/slave robot arm and a display on UK involvement in the European
Space Agency’s ExoMars exobiology rover mission. A drop in event, suitable for
ages 5 and above. £2.00 for activities.
Space In The Home
Saturday 11th September
11.00am – 4.00pm
Explore the Space Age exhibition, bring your own recycling items to create a rocket and make a model of your own space home! Suitable for all ages. £2.00 for materials.
Visitor Information
Opening Hours:
Mondays - Saturdays: 10.00am – 5.00pm
Sundays: 11.00am – 5.00pm
Free Admission
New Walk Museum & Art Gallery
53 New Walk, Leicester LE1 7EA
T: 0116 225 4900
E: museums@leicester.gov.uk
W: www.leicester.gov.uk/spaceage
