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ARTS, CULTURE & TOURISM
01563 554300
Elmbank Avenue,
Kilmarnock, KA1 3BU
The Dick Inst i tute
Featuring a programme of nationally important
exhibitions, permanent displays of the museum’s
diverse collections and innovative work by
contemporary artists, filmmakers and young people
from the area, the Dick Institute has a glowing
reputation. Opened in 1901, the Dick Institute is one
of the most important cultural venues in the south-
west of Scotland, featuring the largest museum and
gallery spaces in Ayrshire. It is also East Ayrshire’s
central lending library. Featuring a programme of
nationally important exhibitions, permanent displays
of the museum’s diverse collections and innovative
work by contemporary artists, film makers and
young people from the area, the Dick Institute has
a growing reputation for the quality and scope of its
exhibitions and events. Previous major exhibitions
at the Dick Institute have included Quentin Blake,
Wallace and Gromit, Cutting Edge, Radical Nature,
Bill Viola. Many of Scotland’s leading contemporary
artists including Kenny Hunter, Simon Ward and
Christine Borland have been shown and creative
commissioning programmes have supported
artistic talent. The South Museum and Loom Room
feature stories of the local and social history of the
area - what job did your grandparents do? How
were prisoners dressed 200 years ago? Find the
answers to these questions and more! The North
Museum contains objects from our natural history
sciences and archaeology collections, some of
which have never been displayed before! You’ll find
favourites such as Brian the Lion, Samantha the
dinosaur and the whale jawbone, plus fascinating
objects like our 400 million scorpion fossil! The
Young People’s Gallery is a dedicated space
programmed for, and by, young people in East
Ayrshire. The lending library, audio library, junior
library and learning centre, housed on the ground
floor, all offer a vast range of resources as well as
regular Bookbug sessions for youngsters, meet the
author events, literary festivals and much more!
THE DICK INSTITUTE
