Wigan Museum has reopened its historic doors with a powerful new exhibition, Wigan’s Voice, running now until 21 July 2026. Blending art, heritage and community storytelling, the exhibition brings together the voices of the borough to explore what Wigan has been, what it is today and what it might become in the future.

The exhibition is built around three key themes: Nature’s Voice, Traditional Voice and Community Voice, each offering a different perspective on Wigan’s identity.

Nature’s Voice

This section explores Wigan’s changing landscape, featuring new commissions by Alex Shaw and a striking projection installation titled Data Mapping created by artists Henrich and Palmer. These works highlight how the borough’s natural environment has evolved and continues to shape local life.

Traditional Voice

Here, visitors can rediscover Wigan’s heritage and craft traditions. Museum collections sit alongside a new commission by Abigail Kerner, as well as an interactive digital game developed by FACT Gallery and Global Friends, offering a fresh look at the borough’s cultural roots.

Community Voice

At the heart of the exhibition is the lived experience of Wigan’s people. This strand features interactive displays, poetry by Tom Stocks, and a reflective film by Tom Doona, inviting visitors to consider what it means to live in Wigan today.

Set inside Wigan’s first public library, a landmark building designed by Alfred Waterhouse, the exhibition also celebrates the museum’s own heritage. The building famously hosted George Orwell in 1936 while he researched The Road to Wigan Pier.

Wigan’s Voice is a collective portrait of the borough, shaped by its people and rooted in its history. Whether you are a lifelong resident or new to the area, it offers a meaningful and inspiring look at the stories that connect the community.