University News Last updated 28 May
Graduating students from across Birmingham City University’s creative courses will exhibit their work throughout June at venues across the city.
Inspired Festival, which runs from 9 – 27 June, showcases incredible emerging talent across disciplines including sculpture, painting, video, film, textiles, performance, journalism, music, silversmithing, and watch making.
At the School of Art on Margaret Street, Between These Walls will feature exhibitions showcasing the work of 40 artists, including Chelsea Mildenhall, a BA (Hons) Fine Art student who has been selected to spend a month in Italy as a British Pavilion fellow at the Venice Biennale 2026. Working across performance, video and installation, Chelsea’s degree show explores the tension between public and private experience.
“I am interested in how identity is constructed and performed through digital culture, feminism and gender,” she said. “I’m looking forward to exhibiting alongside the 2026 cohort before heading to the Venice Biennale.”
Parkside, located on BCU’s City Centre Campus, will exhibit work from a number of courses including Journalism, Media Production, Music Business and Creative Technologies.
Abbie Farrer, who is studying BA (Hons) Media Production, will present her incredibly personal final-year project - a short film about the impact of teenage cancer.
“I hope the film breaks down some of the stigma around talking about cancer,” said Abbie, whose film is part of the exhibition. “This project has been a full circulate moment for me. Cancer was a barrier stopping me from going to university, so to create something meaningful from the experience is incredibly significant for me.”
From BA (Hons) Music Business, Alicia Stanley will release an EP featuring from – or connected to - Birmingham. Bet on Brum highlights the synergy between university, city life and community.
“The project enabled me to combine all the elements of my university experience, curating a story through music that reflects how powerful a strong community can be,” said Alicia. “I hope the EP encourages people to experience Birmingham for themselves rather than to rely on stereotypes.”
Also at Parkside, BA (Hons) Journalism student Kseniia Yakutina explores the impact of war, focusing on Ukrainians who experienced Russian’s invasion of eastern Ukraine in 2014 as children or teenagers.
“I think it's important to raise awareness of war's long-term impact - not just the immediate aftermath, but the way it scars the human soul for years after,” said Kseniia. “I've built a portfolio around the kind of storytelling I want to dedicate my career to - the stories of ordinary people that matter now and will still matter years from now.”
The Graduate Showcase at the School of Jewellery will shine a spotlight on the future stars of jewellery, design and horology, celebrating creativity, craftsmanship and innovation from the next generation of makers, designers and specialists.
One of the highlights is the work from the UK’s only BA Horology course, where visitors can discover beautifully handcrafted clocks that blend precision engineering with artistic expression.
Beyond BCU’s own buildings, visitors can head to the X10 in Brindleyplace to view the work of students from across art, fashion, jewellery, media, design and textiles.
On 18 June, Brindleyplace will also become a catwalk for a stunning outdoor fashion show. 1000 Threads celebrities amazing collections from final-year Fashion and Textile students and has quickly become a standout event in Birmingham’s calendar.
Find out more about Inspired Festival, including a full programme of events: https://www.bcu.ac.uk/arts/inspired-festival/schedule
Image courtesy of Chelsea Mildenhall, graduating student BA (Hons) Fine Art.