Theme: Art and Design
From fashion photography to beautifully illuminated Qur’ans, V&A exhibitions to York Design Awards walking tours, we celebrate art and design in its many forms.
What's on
York Design Awards: Winners presentation
Join us as the winners are announced of the 12th annual York Design Awards. Entries to the awards are in categories covering residential, community and commercial schemes, large or small, and open spaces. This flagship event includes the presentation of plaques to the winning schemes chosen by a distinguished panel of independent judges, with a special Lord Mayor’s Award. The accompanying exhibition showcases all the 2018 entries.
Digital Handmade: Craftmanship and the new Industrial Revolution
Writer Lucy Johnston introduces some of the international designers, artists, and craftspeople who combine the precision and flexibility of computing and digital fabrication with the skill and tactility of the master artisan to create unexpected and desirable objects and products.
York Design Awards Walking Trail
Join us for a unique opportunity to visit York Design Award-winning buildings from the first 11 years of the scheme. The Walking Trail of Award Winners and other standout schemes will take place in and around the City centre, led by Peter Brown, former Director of the York Civic Trust, with architects from the York Architectural Association.
York Design Awards Walking Trail
Join us for a unique opportunity to visit York Design Award-winning buildings from the first 11 years of the scheme. The Walking Trail of Award Winners and other standout schemes will take place in and around the City centre, led by Peter Brown, former Director of the York Civic Trust, with architects from the York Architectural Association.
Botanical Treasures from Cook’s First Voyage
Fine art publisher Joe Studholme explains the modern printing of Joseph Banks’ collection of botanical engravings and shows some of the fine illustrations. Banks, a wealthy young naturalist, accompanied James Cook on his first voyage around the world between 1768 and 1771.
Craeft: How traditional crafts are about more than just making
Historian and popular broadcaster Alex Langlands explains why our modern understanding of craft only skims the surface. Join him and learn about the transformation of our understanding of craft – or rather, craeft – in the wake of industrialisation.
The Mughal Queen Nur Jahan as a Patron of the Arts
Mehreen Chida-Razvi of SOAS, University of London introduces Nur Jahan, wife of Emperor Jahangir and aunt to Mumtaz Mahal, whose tomb the Taj Mahal holds and commemorates. Join us and learn about the influence of a Muslim queen.
Ocean Liners: Speed and style
Join Ghislaine Wood, co-curator of the V&A's Ocean Liners exhibition, as she explores the design and cultural impact of the ocean liner around the world. Find out about some of the hidden design stories of some of the world's greatest ocean liners, including the Titanic, Normandie, the Queen Mary and the Canberra.
The Illustrated Dust Jacket 1920-1970
Martin Salisbury, author of The Illustrated Dust Jacket 1920-1970, discusses the life and work of some of the leading artists and illustrators of the period and explains how they rose to the wide-ranging challenges posed by format and subject matter.
The Qur’ans of Uljaytu
Alison Ohta of the Royal Asiatic Society will discuss the beautifully illuminated Qur'ans produced for the Ilkhan Uljaytu (r.1307-1314).
Fashion Photography: The story in pictures
Fashion chronicler Eugénie Shinkle, author of Fashion Photography: The Story in 180 Pictures, explores the profound influence that fashion photography has had over the past century.
