THE IMAX screen at Bradford's National Science and Media Museum is set to reopen next month with a blockbuster film ahead of the building’s grand reopening.
The museum has announced its plans for reopening, with an official date of January 8 revealed today.
Its IMAX screen will open its doors earlier, with cinemagoers able to enjoy showings of Disney’s new movie from one of its much-loved franchises, Mufasa: The Lion King, from Friday, December 20.
Details of an exciting opening programme, for when Bradford becomes UK City of Culture, have now also been released.
The museum has linked up with Aardman for a special event called “A Grand Day Out” on Saturday, January 11.
There will be screenings of Wallace & Gromit, model-making workshops, and more to celebrate the museum’s reopening weekend.
The museum’s team of Explainers will also be delivering free family-friendly activities with live science shows and object handling.
It comes after a “once-in-a-generation” transformation of the museum, with huge changes through a £6 million capital project called “Sound and Vision”, supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The building shut in June last year and was due to open in the summer but this was pushed back due to unforeseen delays in the excavation of a new passenger lift.
Designs were released in September which showed the museum’s reconfigured foyer, opening up a huge public space with a new welcome desk and soft seating, as well as a redesigned shop and the new lift.
The money has also helped install two new permanent galleries.
The reopening will see the return of the Media Café, interactive gallery Wonderlab, and the Kodak photography gallery.
Meanwhile, a new temporary exhibition 'David Hockney: Pieced Together' opens on January 15, showcasing the artist’s pioneering use of film and photography.
It features Hockney’s early “joiner” photocollages, one of which shows the museum in its early days as the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television in 1985.
Jo Quinton-Tulloch, Director of the National Science and Media Museum, said: “We are delighted to be reopening the museum on 8 January and can’t wait to welcome visitors back into the building.
“With newly transformed spaces, improved accessibility and exciting additions to our public programme, it marks the beginning of an extraordinary journey for both the museum and our community.
“As the year unfolds, we will unveil more exciting improvements to the museum, culminating in the summer with the launch of our spectacular Sound and Vision galleries.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to be reopening the museum with the backdrop of an amazing Bradford 2025 programme, making this a once-in-a-lifetime moment.”
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