Must-see exhibitions in the Midlands
Don't want to miss the very best exhibitions open now in the Midlands? From bold new works by comedian Joe Lycett to Wright of Derby's candelight paintings, 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
Raqib Shaw: Night Sonnets
Journey into the night and travel to moon-lit worlds imagined by contemporary artist Raqib Shaw. Through a collection of paintings and tapestries inspired by nighttime, Shaw combines personal memories of growing up in Kashmir with historical cultural references, from 16th-century Kashimiri poetry to a 19th-century Bavarian king. Expect memsmering displays that will force you to slow down and rethink your own relationship with the nocturnal.
Joe Lycett: Every Thing Must Go
From a woolly mammoth to a Nokia 3310, Princess Diana to Ceefax – comedian turned artist Joe Lycett is spotlighting the things we've loved and lost. Using a bright colour palette and a childlike style coupled with his recognisable tongue-in-cheek, his works are inspired by Birmingham's art collection, creating a 'neon graveyard' of almost 100 things that are no longer with us.
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.
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.