The National Science and Media Museum has stood at the heart of Bradford's cultural quarter for more than four decades. It holds a collection of pioneering film technology and remains one of the most visited museums in the north of England.
A Museum Born from Bradford's Film Heritage
The museum opened on 16 June 1983 as the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television. It was built on a site in central Bradford that had originally been intended for a theatre but remained unfinished. The institution was established to celebrate and preserve the history of visual media, with a particular focus on the technologies that shaped modern photography, film, and television.
Europe's First Permanent IMAX
When the museum opened its doors in 1983, it unveiled Europe's first permanent IMAX cinema. The screen stood five storeys high and was equipped with six-channel sound. The cinema opened in April 1983 as part of the Bradford Film Festival, with the projector originally visible from a darkened booth on the fourth floor. The system was upgraded to include IMAX 3D presentations in 1999, and in 2015 it transitioned to digital projection.
Pioneering Moving Pictures
The museum's collection includes Louis Le Prince's 1888 films, which the institution describes as the world's first colour moving pictures. The holdings include Roundhay Garden Scene and Traffic Crossing Leeds Bridge. These works represent some of the earliest known motion picture footage.
Redevelopment and Reinvention
The museum closed on 31 August 1997 for a 19-month, £16 million redevelopment project. It reopened on 16 June 1999, with the ceremony conducted by actor Pierce Brosnan. In December 2006, the institution was renamed the National Media Museum, and in March 2017 it became the National Science and Media Museum to reflect its broadened scientific focus.
Bradford's UNESCO City of Film Status
In 2009, the museum partnered with other Bradford organisations to help the city become the world's first UNESCO City of Film. The museum was voted the best indoor attraction in Yorkshire by the public in September 2011. In the 2017/18 financial year, it recorded 505,000 visits, a 25 per cent increase on the previous year and its highest footfall since 2009.
Looking Ahead to 2025
The museum temporarily closed in July 2023 for a major refurbishment to construct two new galleries. It is scheduled to reopen in 2025 with the new Sound and Vision galleries, which will explore the history of sound and vision technologies. Planned exhibitions include "Setting the Stage: 70 Years of the Eurovision Song Contest" and "CultureCam: This Is Us", alongside permanent galleries such as Wonderlab, Power Up, and the Kodak Gallery.