Ethereal ‘Museum of the Moon’ Returns to Derby Cathedral

A breath-taking touring attraction will return to the city this Autumn accompanied by an extensive public events programme.

‘Museum of the Moon’ – created by UK artist Luke Jerram – is a giant artwork which will be suspended over the nave at Derby Cathedral and is open to the public between October 12th and November 10th 2023.

Measuring seven metres in diameter, ‘Museum of the Moon’ is a touring artwork featuring detailed NASA imagery of the lunar surface.  At an approximate scale of 1:500,000, each centimetre of the internally lit spherical sculpture represents 5km of the moon’s surface.

The installation is a fusion of lunar imagery, moonlight and surround sound composition created by BAFTA and award-winning composer Dan Jones.

Entry to ‘Museum of the Moon’ will be free of charge with a suggested donation of £3 per person which will go towards the care and work of Derby Cathedral – helping to keep its doors open for all.

The Cathedral has dedicated quiet time slots every Tuesday and Thursday between 9am and 10.30am. There will also be pre-booked ticketed entry to enable people to see the artwork fully illuminated on certain evenings (between 6pm and 9.30pm), with an additional opportunity to book a ‘View Above the Moon’ balcony experience.

An extended events programme has also been organised with tickets available at www.derby.cathedral.org/moon.

• Local band Floyd in the Flesh will celebrate the 50^th anniversary of Pink Floyd’s seminal album ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ with a concert on the final evening of the art installation – Friday November 10^th starting at 7.30pm with tickets costing £22 each.
• A Moonlight Gala Dinner on Friday October 27^th will be a unique chance to dine under the glow of the moon and enjoy an evening with music and an auction of amazing items. Sponsored by specialist insurer Ecclesiastical Insurance, tickets cost £100 each or £750 for a table of eight.
• A spectacular night of music by Sinfonia Viva, the East Midlands’ professional orchestra will be held on Wednesday October 18^th starting at 7pm. The programme includes Holst’s ‘The Planets’ as well as music by Mozart and Richard Strauss and the Orchestra will be joined by members of Derby Cathedral Choir.  Tickets cost £27.50/£20 (concessions available) and are available to book through sinfoniaviva.co.uk/the-planets
• Family events during the month include a day of interactive talks and fun moon-related workshops delivered by experts from the National Space Centre on Wednesday November 1^st, with one-hour sessions starting from 10am.  Tickets cost £10 for one adult and one child and then £5 for an additional person (free for children aged three and under).
• Mindfulness under the Moon sessions will be led by Pam Sidhu on October 16^th and November 6^th between 7pm and 8pm. Tickets cost £10 (£6 concessions). A Think Positive! session will also be held on October 25^th between 7pm and 8.30pm costing £15 (£10 concessions).
• A free evening of Remembrance-themed poetry, as part of Derby Poetry Festival, will be held on Tuesday November 7^th between 7pm and 8pm with readings by local performers and the opportunity for audience members to read a poem of their choice.
• Families are invited to a free Messy Cathedral event on Sunday October 15^th between 2pm and 4pm with stories, prayer, crafts, songs and sharing of food.
• Evensong under the Moon will be held every Thursday at 5.30pm.

‘Museum of the Moon’ was first installed in the majestic Derby Cathedral as part of Derby Festé in 2019. Since then, the Cathedral has hosted several art installations including ‘Peace Doves’ by Peter Walker last Spring, followed in the Autumn by ‘Gaia’ – another creation by Luke Jerram.

According to the Dean of Derby, The Very Revd Dr Peter Robinson, organisers were encouraged to re-book ‘Museum of the Moon’ following feedback from the thousands of visitors to the Cathedral for these attractions last year.

“When ‘Museum of the Moon’ first came to Derby Cathedral, we had people queuing, at times, right down to the Market Place.

“The art installation showed people from Derby and well beyond just what a wonderful, welcoming and inspiring space the Cathedral is and many people said they would love to see it here again.

“I am sure that visitors will want to return to the Cathedral several times over the month to immerse themselves in the simple wonder of the moon’s surface which has been captured in amazing detail by artist Luke Jerram.”

‘Museum of the Moon’ at Derby Cathedral has been sponsored by the Derbion shopping centre and the Cathedral Quarter Business Improvement District (BID).

Beth McDonald, Managing Director of Derbion, commented: “We are extremely proud to be a sponsor for Luke Jerram’s Museum of the Moon event at Derby Cathedral this year.

“Museum of the Moon is set to be an incredible experience that will drive tourism and footfall to the city, as well as provide the local community with the opportunity to see a major art installation that celebrates the mystical lunar landscape.”

Brad Worley, BID Manager for Cathedral Quarter, said: “We are thrilled to see the return of Luke Jerram’s touring artwork in Derby.

“It is so important for the Cathedral Quarter and the wider city centre to continue to provide added value to shoppers and visitors and this installation at Derby Cathedral will certainly increase footfall – like it has in the past.”

Visitors are encouraged to check the website www.derbycathedral.org/moon before planning a visit as pre-booked events will affect opening times.  Tickets for all the events are also available on the website.

Social Media: please use @derbycathedral #derbymoon