Inspired by Dorset

Discover unique museums and creative events

Explore the creative heart of Dorset and experience unique creative delights at every turn. From classic art to contemporary collections, we have unmissable events right across the county – let us lead you through breathtaking countryside to find creative delights, educational workshops and curated art collections.

To help you make the most of the wealth of exhibitions and events on offer, we’ve grouped them by location, but you can pick and choose any collection or experience that takes your fancy. These exhibitions feature rarely seen works by incredibly talented creators, so start planning your journey today to uncover some hidden gems.

Oct 28

Make A Mini-Masterpiece

Blandford Town Museum

Free craft event. Enjoy some artistic fun by creating Alfred Stevens sculpted lions. This will be done through the art of paper folding, cutting, sticking and colouring, and even collage...

Oct 30

Make A Mini-Masterpiece

Blandford Town Museum

Free craft event. Enjoy some artistic fun by creating Alfred Stevens sculpted lions. This will be done through the art of paper folding, cutting, sticking and colouring, and even collage...

Oct 29

Skillful Hands Arts and Crafts

Fra Newbery’s paintings and murals celebrated the local crafts and cottage industries of Bridport, depicting the dignity of the people and their work. You too can be a maker this half term...

Oct 30

Skillful Hands Arts and Crafts

Fra Newbery’s paintings and murals celebrated the local crafts and cottage industries of Bridport, depicting the dignity of the people and their work. You too can be a maker this half term...

Oct 31

Skillful Hands Arts and Crafts

Fra Newbery’s paintings and murals celebrated the local crafts and cottage industries of Bridport, depicting the dignity of the people and their work. You too can be a maker this half term...

Nov 01

Skillful Hands Arts and Crafts

Fra Newbery’s paintings and murals celebrated the local crafts and cottage industries of Bridport, depicting the dignity of the people and their work. You too can be a maker this half term...

Oct 30

Wire Warriors

Blandford Fashion Museum

Free, arts and crafts workshop. Dame Elisabeth Frink was heavily influenced by warriors and the motif often appeared in her work. The museum currently has some warrior curtains she designed on...

Oct 29

Art Adventures at Corfe Castle Museum

Families and children aged 5-10 years, Pop into Corfe Castle Museum to create your own miniature masterpiece inspired by the dinky artwork created by local artist Amy Krauss for Queen Mary’s...

Oct 31

Art Adventures at Corfe Castle Museum

Families and children aged 5-10 years, Pop into Corfe Castle Museum to create your own miniature masterpiece inspired by the dinky artwork created by local artist Amy Krauss for Queen Mary’s...

Oct 30

Folklore, Myths and Legends

Dorset Museum and Art Gallery

Free drop in with Museum admission. Inspired by folklore, myths and legends of Dorset join us at Dorset Museum & Art Gallery for a family-friendly arts and crafts session. Make your...

Oct 28

Dorset Button Making Workshop

Gold Hill Museum

Learn how to make these beautiful buttons which were at the heart of a Dorset cottage industry for nearly two hundred years. Free, drop-in Dorset Button-Making Workshops on Monday 28 October and...

Nov 01

Dorset Button Making Workshop

Gold Hill Museum

Learn how to make these beautiful buttons which were at the heart of a Dorset cottage industry for nearly two hundred years. Free, drop-in Dorset Button-Making Workshops on Monday 28 October and...

Oct 30

Artists in Purbeck Spirit of Place A Talk by Dr Gill Clarke

Speaker: Gill Clarke is a biographer and art historian and has curated art exhibitions at St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, Lymington; Burgh House & Hampstead Museum and Pallant House,...

Oct 22

Inspired by Stone

Portland Museum

Follow in the footsteps of great architects and artists and get to grips with Portland’s finest export. Our drop-in stone carving workshops, led by experts from Portland Sculpture & Quarry...

Oct 30

Inspired by Stone

Portland Museum

Follow in the footsteps of great architects and artists and get to grips with Portland’s finest export. Our drop-in stone carving workshops, led by experts from Portland Sculpture & Quarry...

Oct 28

Nature Table

Sherborne Museum

Take part in the Museum’s Nature Table event on 28th October. A free family-friendly arts and crafts session inspired by Diana Wilson’s love of Sherborne’s flora and fauna. Drop in...

Oct 26

Arts and Crafts Workshops

Sturminster Newton Museum

Free drop-in workshops for 5-12 year olds. Take inspiration from Mary Lowndes, a tremendously talented artist and pioneering suffragette, who was born in Sturminster. Design and make your own stained...

Oct 31

Arts and Crafts Workshops

Sturminster Newton Museum

Free drop-in workshops for 5-12 year olds. Take inspiration from Mary Lowndes, a tremendously talented artist and pioneering suffragette, who was born in Sturminster. Design and make your own stained...

Nov 01

Learn To Make Pots Like A Saxon

Wareham Town Museum

Come join us at the Wareham Town Museum for a fun and interactive event where you can learn to craft pots just like the Saxons did! Our experienced local ceramicists and teachers Anne and...