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From a 13th-century sculpture of singing nuns to sketches by Ingres and Manet, The Burrell Collection holds over 9,000 objects gifted to the people of Glasgow. But its recent Art Fund Museum of the Year win wasn't about the art alone! For this year's Big Draw Festival, the museum is putting drawing itself centre stage, pairing an intimate exhibition of rarely-seen works with community workshops designed to prove that anyone can pick up a pencil.
We spoke to the museum's Learning and Access curator, Caroline Currie, about building an inclusive museum from the ground up, why drawing is as much about the journey as the result, and what's coming next at The Burrell.
Could you tell us about The Burrell Collection and your role there?
"The Burrell Collection is a collection of over 9000 objects gifted to the people of Glasgow by Sir Willam Burrell and Constance, Lady Burrell. It has something for everyone: Medieval and Renaissance art, Chinese ceramics, objects from ancient civilisations and an amazing collection of art - from Dutch 17th-century paintings to French impressionism - one visitor once called us a “treasure box of delights”.
"My role is as a Learning and Access curator. I advocate for audiences and work with colleagues to make sure the collection is accessible to as many different people as possible. I work to develop appropriate interpretation and create programming that attracts new visitors. I manage the learning team and direct the learning and engagement programme in the venue - all linked to the amazing collection."
The Burrell Collection has had a remarkable few years, from the major refurbishment and reopening in 2022 to being named Art Fund Museum of the Year and winning Best Large Museum at the Kids in Museums Family Friendly Museum Awards. We'd love to hear more about this journey and what's next for the museum…
"When we went through the phase of redevelopment, we knew we had to be more than a museum. We had to become a welcoming and inclusive place where local people felt safe and catered for as well as a world class destination that brings visitors to our city. We thought about access and inclusivity right from the start and built it into how we developed our facilities, displays and programmes and it’s amazing to say that it has worked. We engaged with local schools and community groups and became partners in their communities. We developed displays with various groups and welcomed their lived experience and willingness to be part of our journey.
"Winning the accolades of Art Fund Museum of the Year and Best Large Museum at the Kids in Museums Family Friendly Museum Awards has confirmed to us that we made the right decisions and what we have on offer is what people want and enjoy. Visitors come again and again for our programming or to see a favourite object - we see the same people enjoying our collection and that means just as much as an award or certificate - to me anyway!
"We now want to build on the success of this exhibition. We are looking at ways to incorporate more community work within our exhibition and learning programme and will continue to be focused on how various types of activity can enhance visits and help visitors get more out of the collection."
We're so excited to have The Burrell Collection on board for The Big Draw Festival 2026! What made you want to get involved this year?
"We were really keen to be involved as we know the reach that The Big Draw has. We wanted to share this exhibition of drawings and sketches with as wide an audience as possible and we knew being part of The Big Draw would help us do that. Also our exhibition programming is heavy on mark-making so it felt like the perfect fit!"
We'd love to hear all about your Big Draw plans! Drawing Inspiration: 13 Drawings and Sketches from the Burrell Collection has gotten off to a smashing start. What can visitors expect from the exhibition and the workshops around it?
"Drawing Inspiration: 13 Drawings from the Burrell Collection is an exhibition that has received funding from the Cosman Keller Art and Music Trust. It is open for one hour a day so that visitors can spend time with these 13 beautiful works in a quiet and intimate setting. The display is accompanied by short films that detail some of the drawing techniques shown in the works and also testimony from various staff, volunteers and visitors sharing why they draw and how it benefits their health and wellbeing. During some viewing slots there is also a volunteer guide who will share some insights into the works.
"Most visitors so far have spent longer with each drawing than they would have, had they been on general display and there are even complementary mini sketchbooks and pencils so that visitors can take and have ago themselves.
"One of the main parts of the exhibition is the programme of workshops and events. Each month a different local community group, who may have never stepped foot in the museum before, will have four 2-hour sessions with a practising artist who will take them through various drawing techniques so that participants are armed with the skills of drawing to use in the future. Groups were chosen because they could really benefit from learning a new skill, especially one that gives some escape from their day-to-day life and that is inexpensive to start and maintain. Feedback from the first group has been amazing with comments such as:
'I am really enjoying these sessions, getting to work with materials I normally wouldn’t'
'I am so glad I came along - doing some fun things for myself'
'It's amazing in here and I would definitely come back on my own'
"Thanks to the funding from the Cosman Keller Art and Music Trust we have been able to bring in professional artists and also provide buses to get the groups to us - breaking down a barrier to visiting.
"For the general public we have 3 free drawing and sketching classes lasting 2 hours with a professional artist and 3 paid-for classes which are day-long sessions with a professional artist. We will also offer family drop-in sessions, curatorial talks and an exciting online drawing challenge that anyone - no matter where you are - can take part in."
The exhibition brings together drawings by artists like Ingres, Manet and Millet, some of which haven't been on display in Glasgow for decades. What was it like selecting these thirteen works, and what drew you to this particular theme of drawing as a tool for wellbeing and connection?
"The works were selected by the former curator of European Art (who has now moved on to a new role), the museum manager and me. We were clear that we wanted works that were visually interesting, illustrated a different drawing technique and featured real people. We wanted visitors to see themselves in the works and show that art was not just about capturing those with wealth and status but that it can portray real life and give a glimpse into the past - everyone’s past. For the workshops, we needed the works to showcase lots of different drawing techniques - shading, hatching, line work, use of highlights and colour wash and we managed to achieve that and give the facilitators a lot to work with.
"I know many people don’t think that they can draw - I talk about drawing as a form of increasing wellbeing and some people instantly say 'I can’t draw' and I always refute that with 'yes, everyone can, you just need a wee bit more confidence' and by learning techniques that confidence can grow which instantly improves your wellbeing. I initially trained as a community arts practitioner and for me any art practise should be about the journey - what you learn about the skill, yourself and the world about you - not the end result. I myself am not confident in my drawing abilities but I know technique and that makes me feel more comfortable with the process and that’s what I try and pass on to others."
The Burrell Collection's 9,000 objects span everything from Chinese ceramics to medieval tapestries and fine art. If you could take home one piece from the collection, what would it be?
"I would take home this small wooden sculpture of St Walburga and 4 Nuns that you can see here.
"I'd choose this as these nuns have come together to sing - and I relate to this as I sing in a choir weekly which does wonders for my health and wellbeing. I feel a sense of community and shared experience when I sing with my choir and I see that in this sculpture."
Are there any other exciting projects you’re working on that you can give us a sneak peek of?
"We have an exciting Burrell collection inspired fashion exhibition coming up next spring but that’s all I am allowed to say just now. There is lots of amazing projects coming up over the next few years - watch this space!"
Thank you, Caroline!
To find out more about The Big Draw Festival and how you can get involved, click here.
To find out more about the Burrell Institute's Big Draw programme, click here.
