Must-see exhibitions in the Midlands
Don't want to miss the very best exhibitions open now in the Midlands? From boundary-pushing ceramics by contemporary artists to intricate drawings by Dutch and Flemish Old Masters, these are the must-see shows of the moment.
Famous for being a cradle of industry, the Midlands is dotted with the landmarks of this history – from Middleport Pottery, now an award-winning visitor destination, to a rich cluster of sites in Telford, including Coalport China Museum, Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron and the Tar Tunnel.
A cultural day of exploration in the Midlands might also include the sculpture park at Compton Verney, stellar contemporary art spaces such as Nottingham Contemporary and Ikon Gallery in Birmingham, or the internationally important collection at Weston Park – but for knockout temporary exhibitions in the region, you'll want to take a look at the evolving selection below.
So if you're planning a day out in major cities including Birmingham, Coventry, Nottingham and Wolverhampton, or you're looking to discover a hidden gem, check out our guide to the biggest exhibitions in the East and West Midlands open now.
Don't forget to pack your National Art Pass to get great benefits at every venue, and check out our full listings for more upcoming exhibitions.
Discover some of the best exhibitions in the East Midlands and West Midlands with an Art Pass
Break the Mould
Peep behind the curtain of a ceramics studio in this exhibition exploring the possibilities and processes of making with clay. Experience resident artists at work as Ikon has transformed its gallery into a laboratory space, and unleash your inner artist in participatory activities that bring the creative process of clay to life.
Augustas Serapinas: Physical Culture
Immerse yourself in a sculptural installation that blends a working gym with a performance space and a drawing studio. Classical busts become gym weights, while easels stand alongside exercise machines to create a space where visitors can train their body and master their drawing skills. Don't miss the lively participatory events programmes which includes exercise classes, life drawing and wellbeing workshops.
Wright of Derby: From the Shadows
Bask in the glow of Joseph Wright of Derby's mesmerising paintings in the first major exhibition dedicated to this important British artist's 'candlelight' paintings. Witness Wright's masterful ability to depict light and shadow, resulting in dramatic and luminous works that have captured audiences for centuries. And encounter scenes of scientific discovery, a subject matter that was not commonly recorded in 18th-century art. And did you know? This exhibition is supported by Art Fund.
Ten.8 afterimage
Ten.8 was a radical photography journal based in the Midlands and founded in 1979, during a time of social and political upheaval in Britain. Dive into the journal's impact on photography and its contribution to emerging debates on representation and the politics of the medium. See important works by artists including Ajamu X, Chila Kumari Singh Burman, Joy Gregory, Sunil Gupta, Ingrid Pollard, Donald Rodney and more.
Robert MacBryde and Robert Colquhoun: Artists, Lovers, Outsiders
Curated by writer and broadcaster Damian Barr, this exhibition charts the life and work of creative and romantic duo Robert MacBryde and Robert Colquhoun – AKA the 'Two Roberts'. They first met at Glasgow School of Art in 1933, before becoming key figures in 20th-century British art and influencing fellow artists such as Francis Bacon and Lucian Freud. From 1930s Glasgow to London during the Blitz, discover the stories of their extraordinary lives and careers, told through their art.
House of Stories: Tales from the Chatsworth Library
Letters from Charles Dickens, a first edition of Pride and Prejudice, a fragment of manuscript of The Canterbuty Tales. Book lovers are in for a treat in this literary exhibition, bringing the story of Chatsworth's library to life. Staged during the UK's National Year of Reading, visitors can marvel at rare treasures, lavish volumes and annotated books.
Becoming Shakespeare
Immerse yourself in fascinating and emotional stories about William Shakespeare's life that begun in, and was shaped by, Stratford-upon-Avon. Across five curated spaces, you'll journey through his life, work and words that have had a lasting influence on how we understand the human condition to this day.