We’re headline sponsors of Aardman’s 50 Year exhibition
We’re delighted to announce that we are headline sponsors of ‘Cracking Exhibition, Gromit! 50 Years of Aardman in Bristol’.
About ‘Cracking Exhibition, Gromit!’
Cracking Exhibition, Gromit! 50 Years of Aardman in Bristol is a major new exhibition celebrating Aardman Animation Studio’s 50th anniversary. Hosted at the M Shed this summer, the event is a landmark collaboration between Bristol Museums and Aardman, honouring half a century of creativity, imagination and unmistakable Bristol spirit.
Ngaio Harding-Hill, Director of Attractions & Live Events at Aardman, said:
“Celebrating Aardman’s 50th anniversary in Bristol feels incredibly special, and our upcoming exhibition at M Shed is the perfect way to mark such an important milestone. Working with Bristol Museums and having the support of headline sponsor, Barcan and Kirby, makes this moment even more meaningful, shining a spotlight on the city, its creative community, and the people who have been part of our story for the past five decades.”
Barcan and Kirby’s involvement
It’s no secret that we’re lovers of all things Aardman, having previously sponsored the Gromit Unleashed 3 and Gromit Unleashed 2 trails and fundraising for The Grand Appeal as our Charity of the Year, so when we heard about this celebratory exhibition in our home city, we knew we had to get involved.
Barcan and Kirby’s roots in Bristol stretch back more than 40 years, and we have grown alongside the city we serve. With our long‑standing Bristol foundation, this makes the opportunity to support Aardman’s milestone exhibition a natural extension of our commitment to celebrating Bristol’s culture and innovation.
Anna Wilson, Managing Partner at Barcan and Kirby, commented:
“We’re very excited to be a headline sponsor of the exhibition. Having previously sponsored the Grand Appeal’s ’Gromit Unleashed‘ Trails in 2018 and 2025, it’s fantastic to be a part of the 50th anniversary, which celebrates all things Aardman.”
Councillor Tony Dyer, Leader of Bristol City Council, said:
“We are thrilled to be part of this exciting collaboration and thank Barcan and Kirby for their support in bringing this unique exhibition to M Shed, which will offer fans of all ages a behind-the-scenes look at Aardman’s creative process and iconic characters.”
Exhibition details
‘Cracking Exhibition, Gromit! 50 Years of Aardman in Bristol’ will run from 20th June to 13th September at the M Shed. A free mini-museum hunt is also taking place at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery from now until 13th September. Much-loved artefacts from Aardman Studios have been hidden, with more to be added throughout 2026.
Tickets for ‘Cracking Exhibition, Gromit!’ are on sale now and can be purchased from the Bristol Museums website.