Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery will unveil its new Learning Zone to the public on 23 April.

The educational facility will display work by school children as well as artefacts from the museum’s collections, including a penny-farthing, an ancient South American stone chair and Caribbean drums.

In addition to a new reception and lunch area, the zone will feature two learning spaces, cloakrooms plus additional office and storage space to increase the museum’s capacity.

It will also have a permanent Visual Dialogues interactive exploring issues of cultural identity, developed in 2006 by Cultural Fusion – comprising a group of A-level students from Small Heath School in partnership with Tate Britain.

Although chiefly aimed at and equipped for school groups and lifelong learners, it will also host family activities, talks and performances.

Cllr Ray Hassall, cabinet member for leisure, sport and culture, said: “The council’s museums are committed to helping children learn about history, art and culture. The new Learning Zone will provide visiting school parties with improved facilities.”

The development cost around £600,000 using funds from the Renaissance in the Regions programme, and took three years to complete.