Must-see exhibitions in the Midlands
Don't want to miss the very best exhibitions open now in the Midlands? From a deep dive into the art of storytelling to an immersive installation by a Palestinian artist duo, 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
The Shelter of Stories: Ways of Telling, Ways of Dwelling
Delve into the art of storytelling and its relationship with to the home in this major exhibition curated by writer Marina Warner. Historic objects, such as puppets and board games, are displayed alongside works of art to examine how different cultures across the globe have used creativity to tell stories, and what they reveal about our inner worlds.
Stories That Made Us - Roots, Resilience, Representation
Journey through the lived experiences of a South Asian family in Coventry in this immersive exhibition, telling their story from 1968 to 2010. Rooms from their house will be staged and decorated with personal items – such as photographs, posters, magazines and books. Hear their music, watch their television, and listen to their stories to learn about the family's connections with migration, activism, identity and culture.
Donald Locke: Resistant Forms
Experience the first major survey of Guyanese-British artist Donald Locke, who moved to Britain in 1954 as part of the Windrush Generation. Over 80 works of art spanning five decades go on display, from his early ceramic works to his later large-scale paintings, addressing issues of history, colonial legacies and cultural identity.
Basel Abbas & Ruanne Abou-Rahme
Experience an immersive installation by Palestinian artist duo Basel Abbas and Ruanne Abou-Rahme. Together, the artists create works that play with storytelling techniques and the political, visceral and material possibilities of sound, image, text and location. On display is a new video work, spotlighting the experience of prisoners and their relationship with music, poetry and daily acts of resistance.
Human Natures
Ever wondered what impact you have on nature? And how it has shaped you? Uncover our complex relationship with the natural world in this thought-provoking and surprising exhibition – where our penchant for dressing up our beloved pets is as equally considered as the rising mountains of trash that can be seen from space. And did you know? This exhibition will tour to Manchester, Newcastle, Norwich and London with Art Fund support.
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.
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.