RAMM announces its reopening on Tuesday 18 May
Published: 14 May 2021
RAMM has announced that it plans to reopen to visitors on Tuesday 18 May, in line with the government’s roadmap which allow indoor entertainment, such as museums, cinemas and children’s play areas, to reopen in step three of the strategy.
The museum has been open for just 31 days during the last year, but has been operating an online programme of events, talks and activities in the meantime.
The reopening news will come as a relief to the museum’s many regular visitors, as well as those who have missed getting their culture fix during lockdown. Museum Manager Camilla Hampshire said:
“We are absolutely delighted to be reopening the museum. We were able to open for a short period of time back in October, and again for two weeks in December, but of course this time we hope to be opening for good. RAMM is a vital part of Exeter, being the heart of the city’s cultural offering, and our visitors have made it clear to us how much the museum has been missed. We know we provide an extremely important service not only to Exeter’s history and art lovers, but also to families looking for a fun day out, and those who are seeking a moment of calm and peace in the heart of the city.
“We were able to introduce robust Covid safety measures to the museum building in between the last few lockdowns, including a one-way system, hand sanitising stations and a new entrance and exit. These measures are designed to keep our visitors and staff safe, and ensure everyone feels comfortable at RAMM. We are also positioned to act quickly to respond to any new developments in the Covid-19 situation, as the safety of our visitors is always our prime consideration.”
Exeter Lead Councillor for Communities and Culture, Councillor Amal Ghusain said:
“I am thrilled that RAMM will be reopening its doors in May. The museum is such a well-loved part of Exeter and its contribution to the social, economic and cultural life of the city cannot be overstated. I know the people of Exeter will share my excitement at this news.”
The museum will be reopening with a new exhibition, A Language of Seeds, a striking photographic series by local artist Léonie Hampton, commissioned by RAMM, in response to the museum’s seed collections.
Other exhibitions in place include Anita Corbin’s 100 First Women, and Anna Grayson’s café exhibition The Photographic Art Thief. Those wishing to reconnect with RAMM’s permanent collection will be delighted to be able to once again enjoy treasures such as Gerald the giraffe, the samurai armour and the beautiful starfish and echinoderm specimens in Sladen’s study, among thousands of other fascinating objects.
The Shop at RAMM and RAMM’s café will also be open, allowing visitors the opportunity to refresh, refuel, and browse during their visit.
The museum is planning an exciting programme of events and talks over the summer months, details of which will be publicised online at rammuseum.org.uk and on social media. Not everyone will feel ready to return to RAMM in person yet, and as such the museum’s digital programme will continue, with exciting talks, crafts, events, learning resources, films and more shared online at rammuseum.org.uk/visiting-us/explore-ramm-online
RAMM will re-open on Tuesday 18 May, subject to local and government guidelines. Entry will be by walk-up to the Garden Entrance with controlled queueing; no ticket booking is needed. Entry to RAMM is free. Visit rammuseum.org.uk/visiting-us for more details, or email museum.reception@exeter.gov.uk