For centuries, women’s artwork was neglected, their careers thwarted, and their achievements forgotten. Yet, despite the obstacles they faced, many persisted in making art.

This short talk from curator Rebecca Birrell introduces Women: Makers and Muses, a temporary exhibition drawing from our rich holdings of paintings, drawings, prints, ceramics and sculpture, highlighting work by women throughout the history of art and from across the globe.

Rare, beautiful and easy to work, gold has been valued above all other metals in many societies over the last six thousand years. With its resistance to chemical reactions – it never corrodes or tarnishes – it is often called a ‘noble’ metal. The fascination with, and demand for, gold made it an attractive medium for political symbols of power and status, or to provide standards of value and means of exchange.

An exclusive early morning tour of our exhibition, Magdalene Odundo in Cambridge, with members of the team behind the show.

Ticket holders are entitled to a 20% discount in the Courtyard Cafe 10am-noon on the day, and a 10% discount on the exhibition catalogue, available for purchase in the Courtyard Shop, on production of your ticket.

Your booking will also include a ticket for general admission, should you wish to visit the rest of the museum after the tour, when the museum opens to the public at 10.00.

Pick up a special animal card on your way into the Garden this autumn to create your own artwork as you explore with your family. There are 6 cards to collect, each one featuring a different animal, along with facts and ideas for fun games and activities. A different animal will be at the ticket gates each week from Friday 10th September. During the school half-term week all six cards will be available. Can you collect them all?

Admission charge applies for accompanying adults.

An exclusive early morning tour of our exhibition, Gold of the Great Steppe (opening 28 September), with members of the team behind the show.

Ticket holders are entitled to a 20% discount in the Courtyard Cafe 10am-noon on the day, and a 10% discount on the exhibition catalogue, available for purchase in the Courtyard Shop, on production of your ticket.

Your booking will also include a ticket for general admission, should you wish to visit the rest of the museum after the tour, when the museum opens to the public at 10.00.

Join Rebecca Roberts, Curator of Gold of the Great Steppe, for a spotlight talk in the exhibition, introducing key themes and highlight objects.

Join Fitzwilliam Museum Curator, Helen Ritchie, for a brief introduction (approx. 30 minutes) to Magdalene Odundo in Cambridge. Curated by ceramic artist Magdalene Odundo DBE, this display marks 50 years since Odundo moved from Kenya to Cambridge to study at Cambridge School of Art and brings together a selection of global collections from Cambridge collections with examples of her own unmistakeable work.

Please note these spotlight talks will take place at the Museum. Booking is free but necessary.

Follow the map and clues below to discover the wildlife of central Cambridge.

Mrs Johnstone was keen to be remembered as the "sole inventor" of an educational cardboard globe, but other people used her ideas too! Explore her work and that of other women in the globes gallery and have a go at making your own globe. 

Why does the Whipple museum have a fume cupboard from a women's college? Explore the work of chemistry lecturer Ida Freund and find out about the chemical elements which make up everyday materials.