Black History Month: What to see
We've selected some of the best exhibitions to see with a National Art Pass during Black History Month.
October is Black History Month, a nationwide celebration of Black culture, arts and history, held annually in recognition of the significant achievements and contributions of Black people to British society.
This year's theme is 'Saluting Our Sisters', highlighting the crucial role that Black women have played in shaping history, inspiring change and building communities.
To help you plan what to see during Black History Month, we've rounded up some incredible exhibitions exploring history, culture and identity by some of the most exciting artists working today.
From a fashion blockbuster to a contemporary portrait exhibition, scroll down for our 10 picks – and remember to explore our full exhibition and events listings for more.
Don't forget to pack your National Art Pass: you'll get great benefits at lots of these venues.
Discover some of the best exhibitions to visit with a National Art Pass this Black History Month
A World in Common: Contemporary African Photography
From bustling cities to dreamlike utopias, travel through African landscapes and across time zones in this major exhibition, which explores how photography is used by contemporary African artists to reimagine the continent's diverse cultures and historical narratives.
Alberta Whittle: create dangerously
The largest exhibition of Alberta Whittle's work to date, this immersive show comprises sculptures, digital collages, paintings and a film installation to examine the brutality of colonialism, the Transatlantic slave trade and the climate crisis. Woven into the artworks are deeply personal stories of family and belonging, promoting the roles that compassion and collective care can play in resisting racism and anti-Blackness.
The Missing Thread: Untold Stories of Black British Fashion
This exhibition explores the stories of Black British fashion, from the 1970s to today, to chart the shifting landscape of Black British culture – spanning music, photography and art – and the unique contribution it has made to Britain's rich design history.
Julianknxx: Chorus in Rememory of Flight
Music, visual art and the written word cross over in this solo exhibition by Sierra Leonian poet and filmmaker Julianknxx to explore themes of inheritance, loss and belonging. Richly symbolic, his work deconstructs dominant perspectives on African culture and history, and reflects the Black experience of defining and redefining the self.
Hélène Amouzou: Voyages
Togolese-born, Belgium-based artist Hélène Amouzou unpacks the complex emotions of displacement and exile in this powerful exhibition of photographic self-portraits, documenting the artist's lived experience of migration and recapturing her identity through image.
The more you see, the more we do.
The National Art Pass lets you enjoy free entry to hundreds of museums, galleries and historic places across the UK, while raising money to support them.