If you need some creative inspiration, it’s time to get out of the house and immerse yourself in the colourful world of art.

From thought-provoking photography to larger-than-life sculptures, we’ve picked five new exhibitions where you can soak up some culture this year…

FOLKESTONE TRIENNIAL: It’s been a long time coming but, at last, this huge coastal arts festival is back for its sixth year. The outdoor exhibition celebrating contemporary art usually takes place every three years and was originally due to return in 2024, but organisers put the event on hold for an extra 12 months to give the town a chance to improve its transport links and infrastructure before crowds descend. This year’s sprawling exhibition will be directed by Sorcha Carey, who previously served as Edinburgh Art Festival director, and will explore Folkestone’s geology and geography dating back to the Stone Age.

Details: Saturday, July 19 to Sunday, October 19 in and around Folkestone. Free entry, no need to book.

GODINTON HOUSE: The much-loved Sculpture in the Gardens event returns this summer, giving visitors the chance to admire striking artwork as they stroll through the beautiful gardens. The event showcases contemporary sculptures, created by talented artists, which will be dotted around the grounds for three weeks. This year’s artists have yet to be announced, but we’re expecting another stellar display from local and international sculptors.

Details: Saturday, July 12 to Sunday, August 3 at Godinton House and Gardens in Ashford. Exhibition included in a standard entry ticket, book online here.

HISTORIC DOCKYARD CHATHAM: Kids of all ages – even those who are just big kids at heart – will love the Historic Dockyard’s spring exhibition. Brickwrecks: Sunken Ships in Lego Bricks will see some of history’s most notable shipwrecks, including RMS Titanic and Batavia, recreated using large-scale Lego models. The display covers more than 3,000 years of maritime history and uncovers the remarkable discoveries made at the sites of each wreck. There will also be a chance to build your own Lego ships and try your hand at archaeological techniques.

Details: Saturday, March 8 to Sunday, August 31 at the Historic Dockyard Chatham. Exhibition included in a standard entry ticket, book online here.

MAIDSTONE MUSEUM: Fans of Japanese culture will be thrilled to hear that a display of stunning Ukiyo-e prints are making their way to Maidstone. Japan: A Floating World in Print, made up of artwork created by Edo and Meiji print masters, depicts the country’s dramatic landscapes and women who were the muses of well-known artists such as Utamaro, Hokusai and Hiroshige. The display is made up of donations from Sir Walter Samuel, who built up his art collection while travelling to Japan where his father, Lord Beatsted, would grow his company, Shell Oil.

Details: Wednesday, February 5 to Saturday, May 10 at Maidstone Museum. Adult entry costs £4, no need to book.

TURNER CONTEMPORARY: The seaside art gallery is known for its groundbreaking displays, and this year is set to be no different. From February, the venue will host Resistance, a series of photographs documenting British protests over the past century. The exhibition, curated by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Steve McQueen, will feature work by renowned photographers such as Christina Broom, Vanley Burke, David Hurn, Tish Murtha and Edith Tudor-Hart. Visitors will be taken on an empowering journey through British resistance, from the suffragette movement in the early 20th century to the 2003 protests against the Iraq war.

Details: Saturday, February 22 to Sunday, June 1 at Turner Contemporary in Margate. Free entry, but tickets can be booked online in advance.