Best Art Vinyl: album artwork through the ages
Showcasing the best of vinyl album artwork from 1949 - 2021.
Best Art Vinyl: album artwork through the ages is a celebration of iconic vinyl album artwork from 1949 – 2021. This exhibition showcases the creativity and ingenuity behind the design of vinyl album covers, exploring the fascinating history and inspiration behind some iconic artworks such as Joy Division’s Unknown Pleasures, the Sex Pistol’s Never Mind the Bollocks and The Beatles The White Album.
At The Collection Museum, the exhibition is accompanied by the 18th Best Art Vinyl Award, an annual search for the most creative and well-designed record cover of the year. The Best Art Vinyl Award sees a diverse shortlist of the 50 best record covers of the year compiled by a panel of highly respected industry experts, artists and designers.
Best Art Vinyl 2022 Award Winners
1st Artwork by Simon Monk for Black Country, New Road’s album 'Ants From Up There'
2nd Artwork by Bart Balboa for Birds In Row’s album 'Gris Klein'
3rd Illustration by Jake Blanchard for Richard Dawson’s album 'The Ruby Cord'
The exhibition is complemented by material from Lincolnshire Heritage Service’s archives and local lenders, inviting you to take a trip down memory lane and discover Lincolnshire’s surprising musical past. Explore newspaper articles about The Great Western Express Festival, Lincolnshire’s very own version of Woodstock in the 1970s!
We believe that everyone has a connection to music, whether it is your favourite album, the song that gets you on the dancefloor or your first ever gig. As part of the exhibition, we invite you to share these memories by contributing your own favourite vinyl album to the display or telling us your most treasured music memory via our Museum of Music Memories in the Courtyard Gallery. Finally, and most importantly, don’t forget to take a turn on the jukebox, where we hope you can find a track from a previous decade that will make you want to dance.
Best Art Vinyl: album artwork through the ages is a touring exhibition in collaboration with The Civic, Barnsley and Art Vinyl.
22 October - 22 January 2023. Tickets: £5, £3.50 for concessions. 2 years old and under are free but must book a ticket.
Event Programme
Record Fair
Saturday 14 January, 11am - 4pm
Pop up record fair takes over the orientation hall for one day as part of our Best Art Vinyl exhibition. Browse the records and add to your collection. Free entry. Entrance to exhibiton normal admission charges apply.
Want to sell your vinyl? Tables cost £10. Payment due by 11 January 2023.If you are interested in having a table at this event please contact thecollection@lincolnshire.gov.uk
Weekly Film Screenings
Sundays from 23 October to 22 January 2023, 1.30pm
Music has inspired many incredible films and we are bringing a fantastic line-up to The Collection this autumn. Join us on these Sunday afternoons as we enjoy some of these film classics.
All film screenings are free, booking recommended. Running times and rating vary. Please contact us for further details.