Lowry in Salford to host Magical Bobeam Tree in Partnership with The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood and the National Portrait Gallery

Lowry, Salford has linked up with The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood and the National Portrait Gallery to bring the magical Bobeam Tree to the North West.

Lowry will welcome babies and young children along with their families, nurseries or schools to experience this playful and imaginative installation, designed for the early years, from today, Tuesday 17th February to Sunday 14th June 2026.

The programme is inspired by The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood’s Shaping Us Framework, which highlights the importance of nurturing social and emotional skills in the early years. This period, from pregnancy to the age of five is when brains develop fastest and are most receptive to external influences. The foundations laid during this time help to shape the rest of our lives.

The Bobeam Tree is a magical tree which - so the story goes - grows when surrounded by children’s imaginations and stories.

It was first unveiled as part of a special trail opened by Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales at the National Portrait Gallery in 2025 and is now on tour to a select number of museums and galleries across the UK.

Galleries and museums around the UK are creating their own trails and experiences around the Tree to help babies and young children connect with their collections - in this case the LS Lowry collection.

It comes to Salford direct from the Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art (MIMA), before moving on to Sheffield and across the UK.

Features of the trail at Lowry include:

· Baby Explorer packs (0-2 years) filled with simple sensory activities to support early engagement.

· A playful trail of ‘Jack the Dog’ models will begin at the Bobeam Tree and continue throughout the Galleries. Each stop on the trail features a different sensory element, designed to support early development by encouraging children to explore, observe and talk about the LS Lowry collection. Jack the Dog is inspired by the small, bright-eyed dog that appears in LS Lowry’s 1959 watercolour Group of People - a tiny figure tucked among the crowd, full of quiet character and curiosity. He acts as a playful bridge between LS Lowry’s artwork, and the imaginative adventures children can enjoy within the Galleries.

· Free weekly immersive storytelling sessions designed for families and early years groups exploring the Bobeam Tree and LS Lowry’s collection.

· Families from across Salford who are engaged in Lowry’s Creative Families sessions will be offered transport to the galleries, removing barriers to participation and widening access.

· Lowry will collaborate with Early Years organisations and networks across the city to reach families and settings who may benefit most from cultural engagement and ensure they are supported holistically, recognising the role of creativity in early child development and wellbeing.

As a legacy of the Bobeam Tree, Lowry will build on its longstanding practice of listening to and collaborating with local families by establishing a Creative Families Collective. This group will bring families together to shape and inform Lowry’s family offer, ensuring that family voices are not only heard but firmly embedded in the organisation’s planning and development, supporting long-term relevance and inclusivity.

Jennifer Riding, Director of Learning and Engagement at Lowry, said: “We are proud to be welcoming the Bobeam Tree to Lowry and working with The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood and the National Portrait Gallery this Spring. By embracing the ethos behind the Bobeam Tree we will embed family voices at the heart of our programme and create a legacy that extends well beyond the Bobeam Tree installation.

“From practical adaptations such as child-friendly menus and facilities, to imaginative trails and storytelling sessions, these initiatives will remove barriers, enrich experiences, and ensure families feel valued and supported throughout their visit. Establishing a Creative Families Collective will guarantee that our offer continues to evolve in line with community needs, securing long-term relevance and inclusivity.

“As we continue to mark our 25th Year, this is a timely and transformative opportunity to make the LS Lowry collection a benchmark for family friendly cultural spaces, nurturing the next generation of visitors and ensuring our collection remains accessible, engaging, and loved for years to come.”