21st - 23rd September 2026
A history of St. Ives Music
From 21st to 23rd September the Museum is pleased to showcase traditional St. Ives Music in a pop up exhibition. Music has always played an important role in the cultural and religious life of the town and we are blessed to have a wonderful heritage of many forms of local music and associated traditions. The exhibition will highlight many of these, together with information about notable individuals and organisations which have shaped the music of St. Ives over the years. Museum volunteers will be present throughout the exhibition to provide information and answer questions, and you will also be able to hear many local St Ives songs, tunes and 'curls' (carols)
14th - 17th September 2026
'St. Ives Threads': historic local samplers with artist Vicki Aimers
Join us at the Museum from 14th to 17th September when local artist Vicki Aimers will be presenting an exhibition about historic samplers made by local girls from St. Ives and the local area. Vicki is a PhD researcher at Falmouth University, and during the exhibition she will tell the stories behind these beautiful and lovingly created pieces of embroidery, and setting them in both their historical and a modern context.
25th January 2026
An exhibition of St. Ives art
Heading 2
13 May 2025
A talk to accompany this year's 'Sea Change' exhibition
16 April 2025
Easter 2025 pop up exhibition and talks
7 February 2025
St Ives Museum is seeking new trustees
St Ives Museum began in 1924 and has built up a varied and extensive collection of items telling the story of the town, its people, and its heritage. Our focus is local, and our roots are in the Old Cornwall Society with whom we retain close links.
Since its foundation over 100 years ago, St Ives Museum, led by a dedicated team of volunteers, has aimed to educate, inspire and challenge adults and children about the history and heritage of the local area. The Museum opens to the public between April and October every year and welcomes visitors to St Ives and locals alike, as well as school and community groups.
The Museum became a registered charity in 2023 and to further its vision and future, the Museum is now seeking to recruit a number of new trustees.
In particular, we are looking for new trustees with the following skills and/or expertise:
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Legal experience
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Digitisation and IT expertise
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Health & Safety and Safeguarding
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Websites and social media experience.
In addition, we seek individuals who have:
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Enthusiasm for the work of St Ives Museum and drive to ensure the fulfilment of its objectives.
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Good judgment and clear vision.
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Willingness to be an active part of the team and actively contribute to discussion.
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Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively and build relationships with diverse stakeholders.
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Availability to attend Trustee meetings and other events as required.
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Commitment to St Ives Museum’s purpose, vision, mission and values, and our strategic goals.
Previous experience as a Trustee is not required. Being a St Ives Museum Trustee is a voluntary appointment and charity law prohibits payment of trustees. The initial appointment term is 3 years.
If you feel that you have the necessary skills and enthusiasm, then we would very much like to hear from you.
Application is by a ‘Letter of Introduction’ detailing why you would be interested in becoming a St Ives Museum Trustee and an outline of the skills, experience and expertise you feel that you will be able to offer the Museum.
Please send your Letter of Introduction to Keith White, St Ives Museum Chair of Trustees: keithewhite263@gmail.com
If you would like an informal discussion about the role, please contact Keith White either by email or phone (07759 186466).
12 October 2024
Protective film and new blinds installed to safeguard collections
Over the summer the museum has installed protective film on the windows in the Main Hall, and new blinds in the Hain Room. All of the windows are south facing and the high lux and UV light levels represented a risk to our collections, and particularly to the paintings displayed in our art exhibitions telling the story of the evolution of the art colony in St. Ives.
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We sought external funding for this work, and were successful in obtaining grants to cover the costs. We received £1000 from St. Ives Town Council's community fund, £2000 from the Phyllida Nicholson Trust, and £2000 from AIM and Art Scholars Charitable Trust Brighter Days grant scheme.
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The work was completed in September 2024, and has achieved a reduction of over 50% in the level of UV light entering the room. We would like to thank the three organisations above for their generous support in making this project possible.
