University News Last updated 28 May
Birmingham City University’s new Director of Creative Partnerships has hailed the launch of Birmingham Jewellery Biennial as a major moment for the city’s creative future and a powerful example of how Birmingham’s cultural, education and industry sectors can work together to drive international recognition and opportunity.
Launching in May 2027, Birmingham Jewellery Biennial will take place across the Jewellery Quarter and wider city centre with a month-long programme of exhibitions, commissions, installations and public events celebrating jewellery, craftsmanship and contemporary design.
The new festival has been co-founded by Birmingham City University (BCU) and Jewellery Quarter Development Trust (JQDT) following Birmingham’s successful bid to become a World Craft City for Jewellery and Allied Trades in 2025.
Lee Lapthorne, Director of Creative Partnerships at BCU, said the Biennial reflected the University’s longstanding commitment to Birmingham’s creative and cultural industries and its role as a civic institution embedded within the life of the city.
“This is a major statement about Birmingham’s confidence and ambition as a creative city,” he said. “The Biennial reflects the collaborative spirit that exists across Birmingham’s cultural and creative sectors and demonstrates what can happen when universities, industry and civic organisations work together around a shared vision for the city.
“Birmingham has an extraordinary history of making and craftsmanship, but it is also a city looking firmly to the future. The Biennial will celebrate both - honouring heritage while creating new opportunities for emerging talent, businesses and audiences.
“It also creates opportunities right across the University community. From photography, media and graphic design students to those studying business, marketing and events, this is a genuinely cross-disciplinary platform that will allow students to gain real-world experience while contributing to a major international cultural event for Birmingham.”
The launch of Birmingham Jewellery Biennial is the latest example of BCU’s role in championing the city’s creative economy and supporting the industries that have shaped its global identity.
At the heart of that relationship is BCU’s School of Jewellery, which has been based in the Jewellery Quarter for more than 130 years and remains one of the UK’s leading centres for jewellery education, research and innovation.
The School has played a central role in a number of major civic and international projects in recent years, including helping Birmingham secure World Craft City status and designing medals for the 2022 Commonwealth Games, the Freedom of the City and City of Birmingham honours ceremonies, and the next year’s Invictus Games, which take place in the city.
Professor David Mba, Vice-Chancellor of BCU, said: “We have always believed universities should play an active role in shaping the future of their cities and communities.
“Our School of Jewellery has been one of Birmingham’s great creative institutions for generations and continues to showcase the innovation, craftsmanship and talent that define this city internationally.
“The Birmingham Jewellery Biennial builds on that legacy while creating new opportunities for collaboration, cultural engagement and economic growth. It is an important new platform for Birmingham and another example of how the University continues to support and champion the city’s creative industries.”
Birmingham was named a World Craft City for Jewellery and Allied Trades by the World Crafts Council in 2025 following a successful bid led by BCU and JQDT, supported by Birmingham City Council and The Goldsmiths’ Company.
The international recognition placed Birmingham alongside globally renowned creative destinations including Kyoto, Jaipur and Fabriano, with judges praising the city’s exceptional craft heritage, thriving maker community and commitment to the future of the sector.
Birmingham Jewellery Biennial will take place from 1–31 May 2027, with further programme details and opportunities for artists, makers and organisations to get involved set to be announced later this year.
Stay up to date by joining the mailing list at www.birminghamjewellerybiennial.com.
Pictured: Matthew Bott (Chair of the JQDT), Alex Nicholson-Evans ( Festival Director and City Curator), Lee Lapthorne (Director of Creative Partnerships at BCU), and Professor David Mba (Vice-Chancellor of BCU).