Norwich's Sainsbury Centre re-opens with new exhibitions as lockdown eases

The Sainsbury Centre in Norwich is re-opening today (7th July) with new exhibitions, after weeks of closure through lockdown.

Stringent safety measures will be in place to ensure public health guidelines are being followed at all times.

The UK government updated its advice last month confirming that people in England will be permitted to visit museums and galleries that have implemented the necessary social distancing and hygiene measures from Saturday 4th July.

The Sainsbury Centre has made the following changes to adhere to social distancing requirements:

• Exhibition tickets are pre-booked for specific time slots, in order to reduce the number of people in the galleries and ensure social distancing can be adhered to.

• Signage will guide visitors around the building on new one-way routes, helped by staff and volunteers wearing the appropriate masks/visors.

• Rigorous cleaning will be undertaken at regular intervals. 

There are two exhibitions looking at popular movements and styles; Art Deco by the Sea which opened in February has been extended until 20 September 2020.

It celebrates the glamour and innovation of the British coastline in the 1920s and 30s and is accompanied by a pop-up shop stocked with books, postcards and jewellery.

And to Art Nouveau: The Nature of Dreams runs until 31st December 2020. This new exhibition charts the lesser-known English origins of the Art Nouveau movement, featuring dazzling ceramics, furniture, glass, jewellery, paintings, posters and prints, sculptures and textiles.

The Sainsbury Collection, on permanent display at the heart of the building, is free to explore with food and drink available to takeaway from the Modern Life Café.

The Sculpture Park, which has remained open throughout lockdown, continues to provide 350 acres of attractive parkland open to everyone to enjoy art, architecture and the natural environment.