Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) Display 2026:
Bridging Generations
23 Jan – 1 February 2026, Free Entry
Entrance Foyer display:
The theme of Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) on 27 January 2026 is Bridging Generations – which is a call to action. A reminder that the responsibility of remembrance does not end with the survivors of the Holocaust - it lives on through their children, their grandchildren and through all of us. This theme encourages us all to engage actively with the past: to listen, to learn and to carry those lessons forward. By doing so, we build a bridge between memory and action, between history and hope for the future. Come and learn more about the history and heritage of the local Bedford Jewish community, impact of the Holocaust and survivors stories, as well as their legacy in our entrance foyer display. We also have guest speaker Paul Salver presenting on the Bridging Generations theme on the 29 January at 11.30am. For more information visit our Talks, Tours and Workshop page. Recommended for adults and children over the age of 11, book your place here. Book Online
For more information about display and events please see the website or email Lydia.McDonald@bedford.gov.uk
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The Harpur Trust Art Competition
An exhibition of Children's Work
20 June - 27 September 2026
Sir William Harpur Gallery - Free Entry
The Schools’ Art Competition funded by The Harpur Trust, featuring more than 100 pieces of artwork created by pupils from schools across the borough, will run throughout the summer. The children aged 4 to 18, will be creating their artwork during the Autumn and Spring terms at workshops from professional visiting artists in their schools, organised by The Trust. The theme for the 2026 exhibition is Aspire: Nurturing Potential, based on their aspirations, goals, dreams, hopes and what they want to be or do in life. This may be looking ahead to the year, before they go to secondary school, when they leave school, or even later in life.
Further information please see Art Competition - Harpur Trust.
Rhyme and Reason
11 July 2026 - February 2027
Wixamtree and Connections Gallery - Free Entry
Discover the influence of stories on artists in this new exhibition drawn from the internationally renowned Cecil Higgins Art Gallery Collection. Greek myths and Shakespearian stories, Arthurian legends and poetry will all be explored in the works of artists such as Thomas Gainsborough, Paula Rego, Henry Moore, Ceri Richards and Henri Matisse.
A full colour catalogue by curators Professor Christiana Payne and Dr Mary O’Neill will be available from The Higgins Bedford shop.