How to get involved in Birmingham's art scene
Birmingham is well known for being a maker’s city. With its heritage as the ‘City of a Thousand Trades’ our creative blood runs deep. If you’re looking for ways to tap into your creativity and get involved with the up-and-coming arts and culture scene in Birmingham, this is a great place to start.
First thing's first, we recommend using the very handy Birmingham Art Map to orientate yourself with Birmingham’s top art venues that may not be included on our list.
There are a massive range of creative events and arts organisations in Birmingham so this isn’t an exhaustive list. Here are just a few of the places you can go to take part in workshops, get involved in creative discussions and showcase your own projects.
Digbeth First Fridays
Events like Digbeth First Fridays are part of the creative pulse of Birmingham’s art scene, bringing together people from all over the city to share their work. Head along to an event as an attendee or get involved if you have a project you’re itching to share.
Balsall Heath Second Saturday
Balsall Heath Second Saturday is a community run mini festival where you can take part in or run workshops, play music or just enjoy the ambience. It’s held in the Old Printworks, which is also home to lots of creative organisations that run classes in everything from sewing to wood carving.
YARD Arthouse
YARD Arthouse, based in the uber modern Port Loop development, is a multifunctional space to inspire and nurture creativity in the community. They host residencies, exhibitions & events and have a regular calendar of activities.
MAC Birmingham
The Midlands Arts Centre is a Birmingham institution. Set right on the edge of the gorgeous Cannon Hill Park, they host almost every kind of art workshop you can imagine. They also have free exhibitions by local artists which change pretty regularly and a massive range of events, from cinema to outdoor theatre.
Centrala
Based in Digbeth, just a short walk from our City Centre campus, Centrala is a welcoming space with free art exhibitions, a café and live music events, where “Central Eastern European art meets community engagement”.
Birmingham School of Art
Of course, we can’t not mention Birmingham School of Art’s brilliant Night School. These free events are open to everyone and aimed at getting more people involved in art and developing the city’s creative community.
We Don’t Settle
We Don’t Settle was created to amplify unheard voices and platform untold stories through arts, culture and heritage. Their mission is to provide opportunities for young people who are minoritised by society and to change narratives in the heritage and culture sector.
Whether you’re thinking about studying a creative degree or you have an artistic hobby on the side, Birmingham has heaps of opportunities to develop and showcase your work. On top of this, BCU also has strong creative connections in the city through our Faculty of Arts, Design and Media and state of the art facilities for students.