Must-see exhibitions in the Midlands
Don't want to miss the very best exhibitions open now in the Midlands? From a contemporary sculptor grappling with complex histories to a historic house blooming with floral art, 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
Commodities: Sculpture and Ceramics by Renee So
Dive into Chinese history and identity with Renee So, a contemporary arts who makes playful ceramics and sculptural works that explore how our understanding of imperialist histories and non-Western cultures have been distorted.
Seulgi Lee: SPAN
Discover a contemporary artist who creates conceptual works examining traditional craft making. Some of Seulgi Lee's works in this exhibition are inspired by the popularity of pearl buttons during the Victorian era. This resulted from research the artist recently undertook with the School of Jewellery at Birmingham City University. Other works reference South Korean quilt making and Mexican basket weaving.
Your Ears Later Will Know to Listen
Uncover how sound travels and changes across different cultural identities, histories and futures. And meet the artists who work with sound to explore complex narratives through a range of mediums, from moving image and immersive sound installation, to painting and sculpture. Alongside this exhibition will be an accompanying live events programme. Expect listening sessions, immersive gallery tours, talks, and more.
Towering Dreams: Extraordinary Architectural Drawings
Feed your creative imagination in this exhibition exploring how 18th- and 19th-century architects envisioned the world around them. These fascinating drawings unveil the whimsical inspirations that were sometimes at odds with the traditional buildings they were creating, pulling ideas from different world cultures and periods.
The Gorgeous Nothings: Flowers at Chatsworth
Celebrate the blooming of summer flowers in this exhibition inspired by Chatsworth's estate, and the people who have transformed it into a botanical treasure trove over the last 600 years. Both historical and contemporary works of art from the Devonshire Collections and on loan from major museums reveal the power and endurance of nature.
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.
The Space Vault Exhibition
Travel to space in this out-of-this-world, immersive exhibition. Get up close to unique historic artefacts that have been brought back from space expeditions, from spacesuits to lunar dust to important documents.
Brick Dinos
Come face-to-face with LEGO dinosaurs and imagine life in a prehistoric world, one made out of colourful plastic bricks. Marvel at a flying Pterodactyl, a four-metre-long Masiakasaurus, dino-filled dioramas, and much more. This family-friendly exhibition also has lots of interactive activities to keep everyone entertained: get creative in the Dino Dig, play with LEGO and Duplo, and design your very own dinosaur.