Room 3 in Focus: learning, impact and legacy 2005-2023 – Study day at the British Museum on Friday 28 February 2025, 10.00-16.00

The Asahi Shimbun Displays in Room 3 were a series of free temporary displays at the British Museum between 2005 and 2023 that showcased single or small groups of objects from the Museum's collection, ranging from the earliest human artefacts to objects from the present day.  Set in a small space in which these objects could be the focus of deeper contemplation and investigation by the public, the Asahi Shimbun Displays were a testing ground for innovation in curation, design, interpretation and ways of working.

Seventy displays were mounted over 18 years, attracting over 2.5 million visitors. The series was a vital way for the Museum to celebrate its diverse collection, present new research and innovative ideas, and to learn how it might improve its larger special exhibitions and permanent gallery displays.  Each display was unique, and each was carefully evaluated.  

This study day with 20-minute presentations, panel discussions and Q&A sessions provides an opportunity to revisit numerous displays, consider bigger questions about display and interpretation, and to explore what can be learned from the Asahi Shimbun Displays in Room 3 for future exhibits, exhibitions and permanent galleries.

You can find more about previous Room 3 displays here (and there is a short article about them in the Interpretation Journal (Volume 29, Number 1, Summer 2024)

https://www.britishmuseum.org/asahi-shimbun-displays

Booking information:

This is an in-person only event taking place in the Stevenson Lecture Theatre at the British Museum, 15 places have been reserved for members of AHI. If you would like to attend please email Stuart Frost to reserve a place: sfrost@britishmuseum.org .  If you’d like more details, please contact Stuart and he will forward the full programme.