Are we settling down, waiting for middle age to come knocking? Certainly not!
As we look forward to the next 30 years (and beyond) we think this is a great opportunity to revisit some of the highlights from the past three decades of life here in Bradford, show off some of the most brilliant and significant objects in our collection, and ask you to share some of your memories.
On 16 June 1983, we opened our doors for the very first time, as the National Museum of Photography. Ever since then our ambition has been the same: to inspire our visitors to engage with the art and science of images and image making.
We now look after some of the most significant objects in the world relating to photography, film and television. Over the years we have produced exhibitions, festivals, events and galleries celebrating inspirational movies, TV programmes, technology and photographs, along with the people who made them.
So, throughout the next month in the build up to our birthday on 16 June, we’ll be posting a selection of our biggest achievements and most interesting collection items on this blog. Some may already be familiar but we’re sure there will be a few surprises too.
Over the past 30 years we’ve had more than 19 million visitors. If you’re one of the people we have welcomed during this time, we would love to hear about your memories of these events, your personal highlights, and even your thoughts on the impact visual media has made on the world since 1983.
In the words of Colin Ford, the first Director of the museum:
Every one of us is involved in photography, film and television. We look at photographs in newspapers when we get up in the morning, we see moving photographs on the television before we go to bed. These media are part of everybody’s lives.
Share your memories by leaving a comment below, on Facebook or Twitter.
And if you’re not one of the 19 million, come visit us soon!