Derby readies for popular Museum Of The Moon’s return after debut 2019 show drew ‘insane’ queues

Derby is gearing up to welcome big crowds next month for the wildly popular Museum Of The Moon exhibition.

It is the moon sculpture’s second visit to Derby and much like its debut visit in 2019, people cannot wait to visit it.

Derby Cathedral’s social posts about the upcoming moon exhibition have garnered hundreds of likes with enthusiastic comments from people keen to pencil in a second visit.

Museum of the Moon was first installed in Derby Cathedral as part of Derby Festé four years’ ago.

Since then, the cathedral has hosted several art installations including Peace Doves by Peter Walker, and Gaia, another creation by Luke Jerram.

Here is everything you need to know about the artist and this year’s moon exhibition including dates and cost.

Who is Luke Jerram?

Luke Jerram is an acclaimed British artist.

His artworks are showcased in over 50 permanent collections around the world including the Wellcome Collection in London and Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

What is Museum Of The Moon?

This is a sculpture and giant artwork created by Luke Jerram.

Measuring seven metres in diameter, it will be hung over the nave at Derby Cathedral.

The artwork, which is on a country-wide tour, features 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.

How much do Museum Of The Moon Derby tickets cost?

Entry to Museum of the Moon will be free of charge.

There is a suggested donation of £3 per person which will go towards the care and work of Derby Cathedral, which they say helps keep the cathedral’s doors open for all.

What dates can you visit Museum Of The Moon Derby?

The exhibition will be open over two months, from Thursday October 12 till Friday 10 November.

What are the opening times for the exhibition?

As the opening hours of the exhibition are the same as the cathedral - which has services, Holy Communion and Evensong - viewing times will vary on a daily basis.

For more information about the exhibition, visitors are encouraged to check Derby Cathedral website before planning a visit as pre-booked events will affect opening times.

It may be an idea to check which services are on at the Derby Cathedral services page, prior to visiting, to avoid delays to viewing.

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.

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 thousands of visitors to the cathedral for these attractions last year.

He said: “When Museum of the Moon first came to Derby Cathedral, we had people often queuing right down to the Market Place.

“The art installation showed people from Derby and 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, said: “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: “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.”