Migration Museum set for move to Lewisham Shopping Centre

Britain’s first museum of immigration is to reopen in a shopping centre premises three times the size of its previous base.

The Migration Museum, which looks at the movement of people to and from the UK, will open at a former H&M store in Lewisham Shopping Centre on Friday, February 14.

It will stage a series of exhibitions, events and education workshops in 2020.

Highlights from the Migration Museum’s 2020 programme include:
• Room to Breathe, an immersive exhibition inviting visitors on a journey through a series of rooms in which hundreds of personal stories from new arrivals to Britain are brought to life in creative and unexpected ways
• Departures, a major new exhibition exploring 400 years of emigration stories from Britain to coincide with the anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower to North America
• Humanæ, a participatory project by artist Angélica Dass documenting every human skin tone through portrait photographs
• A wide range of events, from stand-up comedy to art workshops, football tournaments and more
• Temporary exhibitions exploring the impact of migration on sport and music

The Migration Museum’s move to Lewisham follows a two-and-a-half-year residency in Lambeth.

It comes at a time of polarised public and political debate about immigration, identity and Britain’s relationship with the rest of the world, and with museums and cultural institutions seeking to ensure relevance and accessibility to all.

Museum director Sophie Henderson said: “As a new museum, we’re constantly asking ourselves how we can make what we do more accessible, breaking down barriers and reaching wider audiences, which is why we’re so excited to be opening our new venue in the heart of a busy shopping centre in one of London’s most dynamic and diverse boroughs.

“The Migration Museum in Lewisham will have something for everyone – whether you live locally or further afield, identify as an immigrant or trace your family roots in Britain back many generations.

“After all, if you peel back the layers of anyone’s family history in Britain, you will find stories of movement and migration.

“We will provide a space for exploration, discussion and reflection on highly relevant themes that go to the heart of who we all are – as individuals, as communities, and as a nation.

“Come and visit us, share your story and explore how it connects with the bigger picture.”

Pictured top is an image from the museum’s 100 images of Migration exhibition (Picture: Christian Sinibaldi)