Immerse yourself in the unique story of the people’s Shakespeare library. Learn about Birmingham’s pioneering ‘everything to everybody’ ethos. Ask yourself what culture means for you, your family and your community. Can it be a catalyst for positive change? Can Shakespeare help us to act, come together and shape the future of our cities now?

The exhibition is curated by the Royal Shakespeare Company and will tell visitors the story of a friendship and how this led to the creation of the first Shakespeare library in the world. The library is now home to thousands of items of Shakespearean history, including photos, music scores, programmes and playbills.

Everything to Everybody: Your Shakespeare, Your Culture will ask visitors to consider what culture means to you. Share your favourite cultural highlight, make your mark and create your own version of a library.

You will be welcomed to the exhibition by a short film featuring young people from Birmingham, the exhibition will also feature a brand new spoken-word piece by Birmingham’s Poet Laureate Casey Bailey and the library's copy of the First Folio, which belongs to the people of Birmingham, will be on display.

The exhibition runs from from 22 July to 5 November 2022 at The Gallery, Level 3, The Library of Birmingham. It's open Mondays and Tuesdays 11am-7pm and Wednesdays to Saturdays 11am-5pm (closed Sundays). No booking required.

The Everything to Everybody project is a collaboration between the University of Birmingham and Birmingham City Council, with funding contributed by National Lottery Heritage Fund and Birmingham 2022.

22 July to 5 November 2022
The Gallery, Level 3, The Library of Birmingham

Article posted 20 July 2022