Worthing Museum to Reopen

Worthing Museum & Art Gallery will reopen on Saturday 28 March following an extended closure for major improvement works – unveiling revitalised galleries and displays, enhanced sustainability features and the return of its much-loved OPEN exhibition.

The reopening marks an important moment for one of Worthing’s most valued cultural spaces. Visitors will discover carefully restored interiors, with new heritage paint colours selected to complement the building’s historic character. Collections have also been thoughtfully reinstalled throughout the galleries to create a renewed sense of clarity and connection.

Home to nationally significant collections, Worthing Museum & Art Gallery holds one of the most important costume collections in the UK, alongside notable holdings in fine and decorative arts, social history, toys, dolls and archaeology. The costume collection alone comprises around 30,000 pieces – ranging from everyday garments to remarkable items such as Princess Amelia’s slippers and Queen Victoria’s underwear.

The reopening will be celebrated with OPEN26, the museum’s much-loved open exhibition showcasing the creativity of artists and communities across Worthing and Sussex.

This year’s theme is ‘Sustainability’, reflecting both the museum’s recent transformation and the wider importance of environmental responsibility. Artists are invited to submit up to three 2D or 3D artworks inspired by the theme.

Alongside OPEN26, visitors will also be able to experience ‘Another Sussex’, a vibrant new exhibition created by learning disabled, autistic and neurodivergent artists from Figment Arts Studio. Running from 28 March to 21 June, the exhibition explores the rich folklore of the Sussex coast through original artworks and large-scale collaborative paintings shaped by the contributions of more than 600 people who took part in community workshops.

Gerry Connolly, Head of Museums and Exhibitions said, “The museum has always been shaped by its community, so reopening with OPEN26 feels especially meaningful. It’s a celebration of local creativity and a reminder that the museum belongs to everyone. Alongside improvements to the building itself, we’ve taken the opportunity to rethink how the collections are presented, bringing new attention to the everyday stories that make our collections so distinctive.”

During its closure, the museum has undergone significant sustainability upgrades, including connection to the Worthing Heat Network and improvements to environmental controls, providing more consistent temperature and humidity levels to safeguard its collections for future generations.