Ikon announces its exhibition and education programmes for 2026. Established as an artists-led alternative space in the Bullring in 1964, Ikon remains free for everyone and committed to showcasing the very best of British and international art.

In 2025 a trio of works by James Lomax, previous HMP Grendon resident artist – were acquired by the Government Art Collection. Taking a form somewhere between sculpture and painting, the work is cast in concrete in low relief and depicts unopened envelopes scattered across anonymous surfaces.

Kevin Atherton’s Iron Horses (1987) is a sculpture of twelve parts – life-size horses cut out of steel and coated black – positioned at irregular intervals and in various unassuming spots along the 12 miles of track between Wolverhampton and Birmingham. We’re now looking to present our findings to Transport for West Midlands, creating a case for the restoration of the horses in time for their 40th anniversary in 2027.

What are the odds? Ikon Creative Health is an off-site exhibition, at the Library of Birmingham, which explores the role of art in supporting health and care systems (21 January – 27 June 2026).

Ikon is pleased to announce that BCU Tuesdays has been extended until September 2026. The partnership with Birmingham City University (BCU) enables the gallery to open on Tuesdays when visitors can enjoy an additional day of free entry to Ikon’s exhibitions.

Niki Gandy is Ikon’s Artist in Residence at HMP Birmingham. James Latunji-Cockbill, Ikon’s Producer, Art in Prisons, interviews the artist about their residency at HMP Birmingham.

In May, Myanmar artist Htein Lin exhibited new work at HMP Grendon, Europe’s only wholly therapeutic prison, where Ikon has produced artist residencies since 2014.

Melanie Pocock, Artistic Director of Exhibitions at Ikon will be on the Curatorial Team for The Bangkok Art Biennale (BAB).

Ikon is dedicated to minimising its impact on the environment and we strive to make our operations and exhibitions as sustainable as possible. This Recycling Week (22 – 28 September) we asked Tess Radcliffe, Technician at Ikon how Ikon recycles and reuses materials and waste.

Ikon presents Resistant Forms, the first major survey of Guyanese-British artist Donald Locke (1 October 2025 – 22 February 2026).

Thread the Loom is a group exhibition celebrating the art of weaving. An AVL Studio Dobby loom, on loan from Birmingham City University (BCU), was activated through a series of micro-residencies with West Midlands weavers. We caught up with Zoë Hillyard, Senior Lecturer, BA (Hons) Textile Design at BCU and Lara Gembarska, Student Weaving Support to ask them to reflect on their highlights.

Jessica Ostrowicz is Ikon’s Artist in Residence at HMP Spring Hill. James Latunji-Cockbill, Ikon’s Producer, Art in Prisons, interviews the artist about their creative practice.

Ikon and Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) present a new public sculpture for Halesowen by Black Country artist Tom Hicks.

We caught up with Clare Langford, one of the West Midlands weavers activating an AVL Studio Dobby loom, on loan from Birmingham City University (BCU) as part of Ikon’s exhibition Thread the Loom.

We caught up with Chantelle Folarin, one of the West Midlands weavers activating an AVL Studio Dobby loom, on loan from Birmingham City University (BCU) as part of Ikon’s exhibition Thread the Loom.

Ikon is pleased to announce Harun Morrison as the gallery’s participating artist for Remember Nature 2025.

Watch Ikon’s film with artist Robert Zhao Renhui about his artist residency at Wigwell Lodge.

Visit Ikon Shop during Independent Bookshop Week! (Saturday 14 – Saturday 21 June). Ikon Shop stocks a range of books, cards, prints, posters and gifts including jewellery and homeware. We are offering 25% off all Ikon catalogues for the month of June. Shop in-store or online.

For over 10 years, Ikon has been working in partnership with Marie-Louise von Motesiczky Charitable Trust to deliver its work with artists and communities. A new publication, Building a Legacy (2025) gives an overview of the Marie-Louise von Motesiczky Charitable Trust between 1997–2025.

Ikon is pleased to announce the appointment of Martin Green CBE as Chair of the gallery’s Board of Trustees.

As Ikon’s Slow Boat concluded its journey to Stoke-on-Trent, we caught up with Nicola Shipley, Director, GRAIN Projects and Rosie Abbey, Ikon Youth Programme Coordinator.

The residency at Wigwell Lodge has offered me a rare kind of quiet – one that sharpens my attention to both visible and invisible movements in the landscape. It’s been a time of listening, walking and noticing subtle shifts in weather, wildlife and time.

Over the last few weeks, we have continued journeying north on the canal, through Stoke-on-Trent, delivering artist-led workshops with groups from across Stoke-on-Trent.