insideKENT Magazine Issue 66 - September 2017 | Page 39

Visitors will also have the opportunity to enjoy the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize 2016, an exhibition of contemporary photography currently on loan from the National Portrait Gallery. The Beaney is the only venue in the South of England to host the touring exhibition outside of London, providing a unique opportunity to view some truly stunning photography here in the heart of Canterbury. To coincide with the day of celebrations, The Beaney will be unveiling some new displays for the public to enjoy in its People & Places and Explorers & Collectors galleries. Items will include Canterbury’s most famous cat, Bagpuss along with the Clangers, Rupert the Bear and the Canterbury Cross, recently named as one of the 100 Objects that Made Kent. Director of Museums & Galleries, Joanna Jones said: “We are delighted to be celebrating five years of the new and revitalised Beaney. We have a great programme planned for the 16th September and this will be an opportunity to thank our visitors for their support over the last five years.” Partnership, The Beaney will now be building on its work as a ‘therapeutic museum’ through a number of innovative projects, further enhancing the lives of local people. Since reopening, The Beaney has welcomed over 500,000 children and young people, stimulating curiosity, imagination and creativity. Its dedicated schools programme has also enriched learning for pupils outside the classroom through an engaging series of curriculum-linked workshops. In 2013, The Beaney won the Sandford Award in recognition of its outstanding contribution to heritage education and learning. Exciting future plans include a new Family Gallery, an exhibition dedicated to Ladybird Books and Becket 2020, a city-wide programme to mark the 800th anniversary of Becket’s translation to a new shrine at Canterbury Cathedral. The last five years have also seen The Beaney develop an award-winning Health & Wellbeing programme which has had a hugely positive impact on the lives of local people. To find out more about the Beaney 5th Birthday and the activities taking place on 16th September visit www.thebeaney.co.uk The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge 18 High Street Canterbury CT1 2RA Having recently received National Portfolio Organisation funding from Arts Council England as part of the Medway Museums 39