Talk 26.03.2026–03.09.2026
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Thursday Spotlight Tour
Ikon is an internationally acclaimed contemporary art venue located in Birmingham, UK. Free entry.
IKON SHOP
Browse books, prints, stationery, jewellery, homeware and gifts.
All profits support Ikon’s charitable artistic and educational programme.
HIRE IKON FOR YOUR EVENT
Housed in a beautiful Victorian building, Ikon Gallery has versatile spaces, accommodating 10 to 500 guests.
Get in touch today to discuss your event with a member of our team.
ART IN PRISONS
Ikon’s Art in Prisons programme places artist residencies in three prisons: HMP Grendon and HMP Spring Hill in Buckinghamshire, and HMP Birmingham. Each residency shares the core belief that art practice can be a force for good in carceral settings.
CREATIVE HEALTH
Ikon Creative Health explores the dynamic intersections of art, health and wellbeing. Through research, exhibitions and workshops, Ikon works with artists, academics, communities and healthcare partners to explore how art can support health.
IKON YOUTH PROGRAMME
Ikon Youth Programme (IYP) navigates the waterways on board Slow Boat, a converted narrow boat. IYP are collaborating with creative thinkers and makers to reimagine Slow Boat as a local art school.
Funded by Freelands Foundation.
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
Ikon is dedicated to minimising its impact on the environment and we strive to make our operations and exhibitions as sustainable as possible.
Events
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Talk 29.03.2026–06.09.2026
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Sunday Spotlight Tour
Talk 14.08.2026 / 2.00pm–3.00pm
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Curator Tour with Will Kew
Ikon Youth Programme/Online 18.08.2026 / 3.00pm–4.00pm
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Live Ecological Radio
With Mort Drew and Ikon Youth Programme
Current Exhibitions
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Exhibition 25.03.2026–06.09.2026
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Angela de la Cruz
Upright
Ikon presents a rarely seen works by acclaimed artist Angela de la Cruz alongside a new commission developed in collaboration with Birmingham Royal Ballet.
Exhibition 25.03.2026–06.09.2026
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Break the Mould
Ikon presents Break the Mould, the final exhibition in a trilogy exploring craft, art school pedagogies and contemporary art practice. This show focuses on ceramics, positioning clay as a site of experimentation.
Exhibition 10.04.2026–30.08.2026
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Donald Locke
Resistant Forms. At Camden Art Centre, London
Camden Art Centre presents the first major survey exhibition of Guyanese-British artist Donald Locke (1930–2010)
Upcoming Exhibitions
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Exhibition 07.09.2026–29.09.2026
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Galleries closed for installation
Ikon’s galleries are closed while we install our new exhibition. The galleries reopen on Tuesday 29 September at 5pm: please join us from 5-7pm for the launch of our new exhibition: Balraj Khanna: Lines of Flight.
Exhibition 30.09.2026–21.02.2027
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Balraj Khanna
LINES OF FLIGHT
Ikon presents Lines of Flight, the first major survey exhibition of British–Indian artist Balraj Khanna (1939–2024), bringing together more than 40 paintings made over six decades.
Exhibition 02.10.2026–11.10.2026
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Future Heritage
Ikon & Ark Birmingham Schools
Ikon and Ark Birmingham Schools present Future Heritage, an exhibition by KS1-4 students from Ark’s five Birmingham Schools: Ark Boulton, Ark Kings, Ark St Albans, Ark Tindal and Ark Victoria.
Exhibition 29.10.2026–28.02.2027
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BANGKOK ART BIENNALE
ANGELS AND MARA
Melanie Pocock, Artistic Director (Exhibitions) at Ikon Gallery, is part of the curatorial team for the 5th edition of the Bangkok Art Biennale (BAB).
Latest News
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Ikon Youth Programme 14.08.2026
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Slow Notes 03
Stourbridge and Halesowen: June 2026
We began our mooring in Stourbridge with a visit from Glasshouse College students. Here, we worked with Dale Hipkiss to ask: ‘Does the current architecture of the Black Country reference natural forms and the limestone landscape?’
This workshop was influenced by the ancient Silurian landscape, exploring the region’s prehistoric marine life and the patterns formed by its limestone.
News 07.08.2026
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Ikon and OPUS Commission Megan Reddi artwork for Champions Square
Ikon and Outdoor Places Unusual Spaces (OPUS) have co-commissioned Birmingham-based illustrator and printmaker Megan Reddi to create the visual identity and design for Champions Square, the official fan zone of the Birmingham 2026 European Athletics Championships.
News 05.08.2026
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Ikon & Ark Birmingham Schools
In early 2026, Ikon’s Education Team launched a new partnership with Ark Birmingham schools, bringing together gallery visits, artist residencies, creative workshops and teacher CPD. The programme has connected young people with practising artists and cultural professionals, opening up new opportunities to learn through creativity, experimentation and making.
News 30.07.2026
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Summer at Ikon
From artist residencies and hands-on workshops to live performance and family activities, discover what’s happening at Ikon this summer.
Ikon Youth Programme 26.06.2026
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Slow Notes 02
Tipton: May 2026
IYP continued our Slow Boat journey in Tipton. Ikon Youth Programme and Rowley Regis Youth Club got together for a Slow Boat Social, where we got to know each other over snacks, covered the windows with our words and drawings, shared stories and music and made new connections!