Your Visitor Kit to Liverpool Biennial 2014

Posted on 9 July 2014 by Liverpool Biennial

The Old Blind School

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For 16 weeks this summer, Liverpool plays host to a city-wide programme of free exhibitions, events, performances, talks, tours, screenings and family activities. If you are planning to visit Liverpool Biennial 2014 but are not sure of where to start, here’s our summary of tips and helpful tools to help you explore the festival.

Who, What, Where, When?

Liverpool Biennial, the UK Biennial of Contemporary Art, takes place every two years and presents international art across Liverpool’s spaces places and galleries. The 2014 edition runs from 5 July until 26 October.

At the heart of the festival is the 8th Liverpool Biennial Exhibition,  A Needle Walks into a Haystack, which takes places at five venues across the city: The Old Blind School on Hardman Street (specially opened for this festival, the building hosts the work of 18 artists), the Bluecoat, FACT, Tate Liverpool and St. Andrews Gardens. Also featured in Liverpool Biennial 2014 are the UK’s biggest painting competition, the John Moores Painting Prize; a group exhibition at Open Eye Gallery; an exhibition of Adrian Henri’s work at LJMU’s Exhibition Research Centre; and Bloomberg New Contemporaries 2014 from 20 September at the World Museum.

In addition, there is a comprehensive programme of free performances, events, tours, talks and music running throughout the festival. To view the events calendar,  click here.

Before your Visit

Start with our website to get an overview of this year’s exhibition, and the artists and events which are part of Liverpool Biennial 2014. In particular, make sure to check out these pages:

Overview – an introduction to the 2014 festival and its various elements, including the 8^th Biennial Exhibition A Needle Walks into a Haystack

Map – a map including all festival locations to help you plan your route

Events – find out what’s happening on the day you’re visiting and filter events by type

Travel & Accommodation – plan your travel and accommodation starting with our recommendations and tips for getting around the city

You might also want to browse through the digital version of our Festival Guide. To download a pdf version of the guide,  click here. 

If you have any questions in advance of your visit, do not hesitate to email visit@biennial.com or call +44 (0)330 123 0584.

On the day

Most of our exhibition venues are open daily 10am-6pm and entry to exhibitions and events is FREE unless otherwise stated. Check individual locations for their opening times before your visit.

Welcome Desk

We recommend that you start your visit at The Old Blind School on 24 Hardman Street where our Welcome Desk is based. This incredible building hosts the work of 18 artists and is a great place to pick up your Festival and Exhibition Guides which include a map of all festival locations and more detailed information about the works on display. Our team will also advise on any events happening whilst you’re here so that you don’t miss out on anything.

If you have any questions throughout the day, do not hesitate to call us on +44 (0)330 123 0584 or email visit@biennial.com and a member of staff will be back in touch shortly. 

TicTocTourist App

To plan your Biennial route using your mobile phone, download the free TicTocTourist app for iPhone. It has the opening times, visitor information and exhibition overview for all the main festival locations. The app can also guide you to each venue with its useful map function. To download the app, click here. 

I'm @ App

This app generates content based on your location to improve your visitor experience at each Liverpool Biennial venue. Using cutting-edge geo-fencing and beacon technology, a variety of informative and interactive content will be made available directly to your phone as you engage with art around the city.

Available to download now on Android and iPhone.

Food & Drink

The Biennial is vast so make sure to stop for a bite or refreshments between venues. For our team’s food and drink recommendations, please  click here.

After your visit

Once your Biennial visit is over, make sure to come back to our website to find further information on the artists and artworks that caught your attention.

Share Your Thoughts & Photos

We would love to hear your comments following your Biennial experience and to see any photos you have taken – connect with us on  Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and make sure to share your photos with us using #biennial2014. 

Follow Liverpool Biennial on Instagram @liverpoolbiennial

For further insights into the work on show and the people behind it, come back to the  Biennial Blog. If following your visit you’d like to send us your feedback and comments directly, please email visit@biennial.com

Sign Up for Weekly Updates

For daily and weekly updates about our regular events programme throughout the summer, please follow us on  social media and subscribe to our weekly newsletter here.

We hope you've enjoyed your visit! 

Is there anything else you would find useful to know ahead of your visit to Liverpool Biennial 2014? Let us know in the comments section below.