The Holburne Museum Ticket Portal

Almost everything we think we know about Jane Austen is wrong, according to the author Helena Kelly. Instead, she introduces the reader to a passionate woman living in an age of revolution; who used her writing to grapple with the weightiest of subjects – feminism, slavery, abuse, the power of the Church, even evolution – at a time when to write about such things directly was seen as akin to treason. Uncovering a radical, spirited and politically engaged Austen, Jane Austen, The Secret Radical will encourage you to read Jane, all over again.

Presented in partnership with University of Bath

The Holburne’s glass extension of 2011, and our new Schroder Gallery, were conceived by Eric Parry RA. In this fascinating discussion, he will be joined by Bob Allies, renowned architect who was appointed the City of Bath’s first ‘Architect in Residence’ in 2024. Together they will reflect on the challenges and opportunities for design excellence in a UNESCO World Heritage City. The conversation will be moderated by Marion Harney, Associate Dean, Education, Faculty of Engineering and Design at University of Bath.

Soprano Penelope Appleyard and pianist Jonathan Delbridge present an enchanting programme about the love story of Jane Austen and music. Featuring some of Jane’s favourite music played on our historic fortepiano, the programme also includes extracts from her works and letters, and a brand new musical setting of one of her teenage poems. Seamlessly combining scholarship with entertainment, this innovative and intimate recital invites audiences into the Austens’ drawing room, with some laughs along the way!

*Exhibition entry from 7pm ahead of the recital

Nurry is an exceptional local concert pianist who studied music at Wells Cathedral School before attending the Royal College of Music in London. She will be playing a selection of works by Rachmaninov on our Steinway grand piano, which was favoured by the composer himself when he was in the UK.

Jerry Brotton is a British historian, author, curator, television and radio presenter, and Professor of Renaissance Studies at Queen Mary University of London. This engaging illustrated talk will introduce a global perspective on the Renaissance era during which the treasures in the Schroder Gallery were created. While for many the period is synonymous with Italian artists and patrons, Jerry Brotton will offer an alternative insight into this most vibrant period in history, which saw sustained exchange of goods, ideas and artistic styles between western and eastern cultures that sheds new light on some of the most iconic art works of the Renaissance.

In a world of unwanted distraction, where AI is attempting to replace the human imagination, how can we ensure we continue to look, read, think for ourselves? Who can remind us of the joys of creativity? What can we do to bring the necessity of artful living to our day? Dive into the year with wisdom of artists and writers. Gathered from interviews, personal conversations, books and talks, How to Live an Artful Life collects thoughts, reflections, creative insights and exercises for every day of the year. Featuring Marina Abramović, Nan Goldin, Lubaina Himid, Louise Bourgeois, Tracey Emin, and more, each entry offers wisdom from some of the greatest artists of all time.

Katy Hessel is an art historian and the author of The Story of Art without Men, the international bestseller and Waterstones Book of the Year 2022. She runs @thegreatwomenartists on Instagram, hosts The Great Women Artists Podcast, interviewing artists such as Tracey Emin and Marina Abramović. Hessel writes a column in The Guardian, is a Visiting Fellow at Cambridge University and a Trustee of Charleston. She has presented documentaries for BBC, and in 2024, launched Museums Without Men, a growing audio series highlighting works by women artists in museum collections worldwide, such as The Met and Tate Britain.