The countdown is well and truly underway to the opening of The Box on Saturday 16 May.
Today marks 100 days until the doors to the city’s newly developed museum, gallery and archive open to the public.
Over the coming weeks, staff are going to be even busier than before as they prepare for the big day and move 2,177,516 objects into the building.
Over 24,000 boxes – more than two miles of archives – will be moved from the former Plymouth and West Devon Record Office. They’ll be joined by the city’s Local Studies reference collection, the South West Image Bank, the South West Film and Television Archive and the natural history, human history and art collections from the City Museum and Art Gallery.
Plymouth City Council Leader Tudor Evans said: “When we started this project we said it was time to think big and The Box has been designed to ensure we really live up to our title of Britain’s Ocean City. We’ve witnessed the incredible transformation of the former Museum and Art Gallery, Central Library and St Luke’s Church buildings and Tavistock Place. I can’t wait for The Box to open and for people to see the end result of the vision and hard work that has made it a reality.”
As part of the build up The Box has just launched a new website where people can find out more about its galleries and opening programme.
Its inaugural exhibitions will feature work by international artists from North America, South America and Europe as well as the ‘Mayflower 400: Legend and Legacy’ exhibition and a major public art commission by Antony Gormley.
A series of immersive galleries will highlight the city’s permanent collections and shed light on Plymouth’s connections with the rest of the world. The Box will also have a Kitchen & Bar, shop, education and research spaces.
Plymouth City Council Shadow Leader Ian Bowyer said: “The Box is going to be for everyone and a place where there’ll always be something new to discover. I’m really looking forward to the launch weekend and to Plymouth being the location for the opening of the most significant cultural destination in the UK this year.”
Prior to the launch on Saturday 16 May, a special preview weekend will take place for Plymouth residents. Places will be allocated via a public ballot and more details will be released later this month.
You can visit The Box’s new website and follow its countdown to launch at theboxplymouth.com