History will be made in London today (May 5) when Queer Britain unveil their new space for Britain’s first ever LGBTQ+ museum from 12pm.
As of January this year, Queer Britain occupy part of a historic building in Granary Square, Kings Cross owned by the charity Art Fund. Queer Britain’s museum has opened on the ground floor of Granary Square 2, the former home of Quentin Blake’s House of Illustration.
This crowns a project four years in the making, after the charity founded with the aim to give London a much-needed space to celebrate Britain’s rich queer history.
Included in the new building will be four galleries, a workshop, education space, gift shop, and office space for the team at Queer Britain. The very fist display comes from Historic Royal Palaces curator Matthew Storey, and is titled “Welcome to Queer Britain”. Its a set of photographs and artefacts from the Queer Britain archives. You’ll also be able to catch work the work of Sadie Lee and Paul Harfleet, the winning entrants of Queer Britain’s first ever Madame Prize. Entrants sent over illustrations, paintings, drawings and photographs to celebrate the theme of Queer Creativity.
Joseph Galliano (he/him), director and co-founder, Queer Britain, said: “It’s incredibly important for us to show the breadth of the LGBTQ+ community as well as its intersections.
“The queer community is nothing when it doesn’t include trans, non-binary, POC, disabled or older siblings. Intersectionality and inclusivity have been and always will be at the heart of queer Britain.”
The museum’s building is wheelchair accessible, promising an inclusive, and welcoming space for all, and entrance is free. Find more information and keep up to date with upcoming projects on the Queer Britain website.
Jenny Waldman (she/her), director at Art Fund, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Queer Britain as our new tenants. Their exciting proposal for the first UK museum dedicated to exploring LGBTQ+ histories, people and ideas was warmly supported by our trustees, and we’re thrilled that our beautiful building in Granary Square will be home for the first phase of the Queer Britain museum. It promises to be an essential destination.”
Queer Britain will open the UK’s first LGBTQ+ museum on May 5 at 2 Granary Square, N1C 4BH (nearest station is King’s Cross St. Pancras).