National Science and Media Museum

National Science and Media Museum
Name	National Science and Media Museum
Established	1983
Location	Bradford, West Yorkshire, England
Type	Science and media museum
Visitors	Approximately 500,000 annually
Director	Jo Quinton-Tulloch
Owner	Science Museum Group
Network	National Museum of Science and Industry
Publictransit	Bradford Interchange

National Science and Media Museum. It is a major cultural institution in Bradford, part of the wider Science Museum Group, and explores the science and culture of image and sound technologies. Opened in 1983 as the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television, its mission is to inspire futures in science, technology, and the creative industries. The museum holds a collection of international significance, spanning the history of photography, broadcasting, cinema, and new media.

History

The institution was conceived in the late 1970s, with its development championed by figures like Sir Kenneth Parkinson and supported by the British government and the former Yorkshire Television. It opened its doors in 1983 under its original name, the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television, becoming the first national museum established outside London. A major redevelopment in the late 1990s, supported by funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, significantly expanded its galleries. The museum was renamed to its current title in 2017 to better reflect its broad focus on the science behind all media, from analogue to digital media.

Collections and galleries

The museum's core collections are among the most important in the world, including the Royal Photographic Society collection, acquired in 2003, which contains over 250,000 images and items of equipment. The BBC also deposited a major collection of television and radio technology here. Permanent galleries explore themes such as the history of photography, the science of colour, and the development of animation. Key spaces include the IMAX cinema, which was the first of its kind in the United Kingdom, and the Kodak Gallery, which details the story of the Eastman Kodak Company.

Notable exhibits

Among its most celebrated objects is the world's oldest surviving negative, created by William Henry Fox Talbot. The museum also displays the camera used by John Logie Baird for his early television experiments and original costumes from iconic BBC programmes. The Animation gallery features artifacts from major studios like Aardman Animations and Walt Disney Animation Studios. A full-scale replica of the Apollo 11 lunar module used in the film *Capricorn One* is a prominent display, alongside early video game consoles and pioneering virtual reality equipment.

Building and location

The museum is situated in the heart of Bradford city centre, adjacent to the Bradford City Park and the Alhambra Theatre. The building itself is a converted 1960s office block, known as the Prudential Building, which was substantially redesigned by architects for its museum use. Its location is strategic, placing it within the cultural quarter of a city with a rich industrial heritage linked to the wool trade. The site is well-served by public transport, including Bradford Interchange and the Bradford Forster Square railway station.

Public engagement and events

The institution hosts the annual Bradford International Film Festival and the Widescreen Weekend festival, attracting filmmakers and enthusiasts from around the globe. Its learning programmes work extensively with schools across the Yorkshire and the Humber region, while its live science demonstrations and maker workshops are popular family attractions. The museum also collaborates with universities, including the University of Bradford, on research projects and provides a venue for major conferences like those held by the Royal Television Society.

Governance and funding

The museum is operated as part of the Science Museum Group, which also includes the Science Museum in London and the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester. Its primary funding comes from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport via grant-in-aid. Additional revenue is generated through commercial activities, corporate sponsorship from partners like Sky UK, and grants from charitable bodies such as the Wolfson Foundation. Strategic direction is provided by a board of trustees and the group director, Sir Ian Blatchford.

Category:Museums in Bradford Category:Science museums in England Category:Media museums Category:Photography museums in the United Kingdom