What's On Guide | May - Sept 2026

MAY – SEPTEMBER 2026

RENAISSANCE RENAISSANCE marks a new season at New Art Exchange.

A season shaped by people, place, and the many ways culture is created and shared across our communities.

This programme brings together artists, neighbours, and collaborators from near and far. From the NAE Open, featuring a wide range of artists at different stages of their journeys, to Matrika: She Who Makes Worlds, which explores memory, care, and the power of women to shape the past, present, and future.

Alongside this, our residencies bring artists into Hyson Green to connect with the neighbourhood and develop new work rooted in lived experience, while our exhibitions and installations invite you to explore different perspectives on identity, belonging, and creativity.

GALLERY & CORNER OPENING TIMES Tue - Sat 10am - 4pm Closed Sun & Mon Closed Bank Holidays

www.nae.org.uk 0115 924 8630 info@nae.org.uk

Across the building, you’ll find spaces to gather, connect, and take part. From shared meals and Friday night socials to Hyson Green Open Day and Nottingham Mela, moments where creativity and community come together, and new connections are formed.

Each part of this programme reflects our belief in the power of people to shape culture from where they stand, creating something that is open, shared, and constantly evolving.

Join us at New Art Exchange for RENAISSANCE, a season of creativity, connection, and collective imagination.

Saad-Eddine Said CEO and Artistic Director New Art Exchange

NEW ART EXCHANGE 39—41 Gregory Boulevard Nottingham NG7 6BE A short walk from The Forest tram stop.

Supported by

FREE ENTRY

Cover image: Olatunbosun Harris

@newartexchange @new_art_exchange New Art Exchange

EXHIBITION Artists list: Dafe Oboro

Faiza Butt

Ravi Modi

Faith Okorodudu

Naomi Williams

Harmanpreet Randhawa

Farwa Moledina

Tianhui Wu

Tanaka Mazivanhanga

Iyesogie Ogieriakhi

Sean Cham

Emeka Harker

Ionie Richards

Elahè Raofi

Johanna Yaovi

Yee Man Cheng

Adilson Naueji

Sayra Begum

Valerie Asiimwe Amani

Sian Fan

Imarni-Jade Boyer-Nugent

Abraham Cole

Olatunbosun Harris

Laine Tomkinson

Adaqiying

Sophie Gresswell

Natasha Awah

Tonye Ekine

Komal Madar

Jasmine Su Juanyan

Marcus Rowlands

Jessica Ashman

Cassy Oliphant

Eliza Rawlings

Kialy Tihngang

Kashmira Patel

Sam Wellington

Mallika Fraser

Tanvi Kant

Gaylene Gould

Shehzad Jaffer

Dan Jamieson

Jessica Ajuyah

Craig Fisher

23 MAY TO 12 SEPTEMBER 2026 MAIN GALLERY

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EXHIBITION

The NAE Open returns for its sixth iteration in 2026, with a presentation of works that includes paintings, print, video, installation, photography, textiles and sculpture.

This dynamic exhibition was created through a competitive open application process for Nottinghamshire based artists and Global Ethnic majority* artists living anywhere in the UK. Tasked to seek out the most innovative and high-quality artworks that address key societal concerns and interests, a panel of advocates including neighbours, artists and curators chose from a substantive number of submissions.

The result is an eclectic and compelling selection of artists at different stages of their careers. * NAE defines Global Ethnic Majority as a collective term that refers to people who are Black, Asian, Brown, dual heritage, indigenous to the global south, and/or have been racialised as ethnic minorities.

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Image credits (Clockwise from left to right): Dafe Oboro Cassy Oliphant Olatunbosun Harris Ionie Richards Emeka Harker Sophie Gresswell Johanna Yaovi Jessica Ashman

EXHIBITION

Image credit: Hannah Pye

MATRIKA: SHE WHO MAKES WORLDS

BY SAROJ PATEL 23 MAY - 12 SEPTEMBER 2026 MEZZANINE She Who Makes Worlds by Saroj Patel is an exhibition exploring women’s strength, ancestral memory, and the futures we imagine into being. In Hindu cosmology, Matrika refers to the divine mothers, a group of powerful feminine energies connected to creation, protection, and transformation.

Drawing on mythology and intergenerational stories, the works reflect on how worlds are carried forward through courage, care, and transformation. Through material, gesture, and collective presence, the exhibition honours the power of women to shape the past, present, and what is yet to come.

FOR MORE INFO VISIT OUR WEBSITE NAE.ORG.UK 6

PUBLIC PROGRAMME

EXHIBITION LAUNCH FRIDAY 22 MAY 6PM–9PM

Join us for the launch party of the new season, celebrating the sixth edition of the OPEN in our Main Gallery and Matrika: She Who Makes Worlds in our Mezzanine Gallery.

Be the first to view these diverse and stimulating exhibitions.

ALL AGES WELCOME | FREE

MATRIKA SAROJ PATEL ARTIST TALK INCLUDING Q&A

SATURDAY 23 MAY 11AM–12:30PM Saroj’s practice explores intergenerational memory, South Asian diasporic stories, and women’s embodied knowledge through material, ritual, and acts of collective making. Her practice unfolds through acts of making, listening, and gathering.

Images credit: Saroj Patel

MATRIKA: GATHERING, MAKING, AND SOUND

Come along and join in the conversation about her latest exhibition, Matrika: She Who Makes Worlds.

EVERYONE WELCOME | FREE

SATURDAY 11 JULY 2PM–4PM

An afternoon of conversation, intergenerational music, and collective making in response to Patel’s exhibition Matrika: She Who Makes Worlds by Saroj Patel. The event includes an interactive live performance by Saroj’s mother, Sushila Patel, featuring singing and tabla, and a participatory textile activity where visitors are invited to stitch, knot, and work with fabric together. Through sound, rhythm, and material gesture, the event explores themes of migration, memory, and women’s intergenerational knowledge.

EVERYONE WELCOME | FREE

Image credit: Hannah Pye

FOR MORE INFO VISIT OUR WEBSITE NAE.ORG.UK 7

PUBLIC PROGRAMME

CONNECT COMMUNITY: HYSON GREEN OPEN DAY SATURDAY 11 JULY

community empowerment and a future where everyone pulls in the same direction.

A Day of Collective Creativity & Community Spirit: A Celebration of Free Cultural Programming and Community Connection.

It’s a moment to spark new thinking, strengthen community spirit, and showcase the diverse voices that help the neighbourhood thrive. As connections deepen and conversations spark, the energy created here fuels ongoing collective work long after the day ends.

This momentum reflects a wider aim developed through recent meetings: building a sustainable framework for connection, shared opportunities, and collective action across the local cultural ecosystem. The initiative marks a bold step toward long term cultural collaboration and neighbourhood empowerment.

This year, Connect Community invites Hyson Green to throw open its doors for a celebration bursting with creativity, culture, and connection. With workshops, activities, and neighbours coming together across shared spaces, it’s a day to spark ideas, lift spirits, and add real colour to the neighbourhood’s bigger picture. Join us on 11th July as we bring the community together under one roof where stories are shared, new thinking takes root, and collaboration becomes second nature.

Built on years of joint effort, this Open Day marks a bold step toward long term

AGES 12+ | FREE FOR MORE INFO VISIT OUR WEBSITE NAE.ORG.UK 8

PUBLIC PROGRAMME

MELA

SATURDAY 12 – SUNDAY 13 SEPTEMBER SAVE THE DATE! Nottingham Mela returns for 2026! Look forward to a weekend celebrating South Asian art and culture. Expect music, art, food and much more!

The festivities continue at Wollaton Hall for Mela in the Park on Sunday 13th September.

EVERYONE WELCOME | FREE

FOR MORE INFO VISIT OUR WEBSITE NAE.ORG.UK 9

CHILDREN & FAMILIES

SATURDAY ART CLUB UPCOMING DATES:

13, 27 JUNE; 11, 25 JULY; 8, 22 AUG; 5 SEPT 10:30AM – 12:30PM SATURDAY ART CLUB IS BACK! Join us for free, drop-in workshops packed with hands-on fun, imagination, and playful discovery. Led by amazing creative facilitators, each session offers brand-new activities to try, so no two sessions are ever the same!

Whether you come to make, explore, or simply have fun together, it’s the perfect way for families to get creative and start the weekend with a smile.

FREE and open to those aged 4-12 and their families; come along and try a session.

SUMMER HOLIDAYS FILM SCREENINGS

JOIN US THIS AUGUST FOR FREE, FAMILY FRIENDLY FILM SCREENINGS AT NAE. SEE WHAT’S COMING UP:

PADDINGTON 6 AUGUST 3PM

ZARAFA

7 AUGUST 10:30AM

WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE 14 AUGUST 10:30AM

IRON GIANT

21 AUGUST 10:30AM

WILD ROBOT

28 AUGUST 10:30AM EVERYONE WELCOME | FREE SPACES ARE LIMITED BOOK YOUR SPACE ON OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFO VISIT OUR WEBSITE NAE.ORG.UK 10

RESIDE

CHOI HYE-JI 1 JUNE – 30 JUNE Known for portraying the vibrant colours of life within ordinary moments, Choi Hye-ji comes to NAE from Korea.

During her time at NAE, Choi Hye-ji will embed herself organically within Hyson Green, seeking to research stories of immigration, both from other countries to the UK, but also those migrating within the UK itself. This research will then go on to potentially form the basis for a new body of work.

Choi Hye-ji analyses the essence of life with the physicality of materials, drifting through the city and collecting stories. The artist collects and gathers moments of life through personal experiences and documentation, which then is transformed into visual masterpieces and written words.

FOR MORE INFO VISIT OUR WEBSITE NAE.ORG.UK 11

OPPORTUNITIES

COLLECTIVE CALL OUT APPLICATIONS OPEN 24 MAY DEADLINE 27 JUNE

Are you interested in learning how to put on events? Are you 18-30 and live in Nottingham? Then why not apply to be a part of the YOUnique Collective?! You will join a group of like minded individuals, share your ideas, nurture your creativity, develop your skills, and create impactful events within the arts.

The best part? You will put your learning into practice and collectively plan and deliver a 4-day festival in 2027!

JOIN US FOR A Q&A SESSION, 20 MAY

BOOK YOUR TICKET ON OUR WEBSITE NAE.ORG.UK 12

OPPORTUNITIES

CULTIVATE APPLICATIONS OPEN 4 MAY DEADLINE 1 JUNE

in two development workshops focused on ambition and vision, as well as mentoring conversations and an organisational review process designed to support organisational learning and strategic development. This opportunity is open to organisations based in Hyson Green, as well as Global Ethnic Majority-led organisations based elsewhere in Nottingham that work directly with communities in Hyson Green.

New Art Exchange is inviting applications from Nottingham-based organisations for the Cultivate programme, a year-long initiative designed to support organisations to strengthen a key area of their work and plan for future growth.

The programme offers time, space and support for organisations to reflect on their practice, explore new ideas and develop a clear plan for the next phase of their work.

The selected organisation will participate

Image credit: Tom Morley

BOOK YOUR TICKET ON OUR WEBSITE NAE.ORG.UK 13

FRIDAY NIGHT SOCIALS

FLUENT IN BOTH: SOCIAL CLIMATE JUSTICE

BAD BETTY LIVE UPCOMING DATES:

FRIDAY 15 MAY; 19 JUNE; 18 SEPTEMBER 6PM–9PM

FRIDAY 8 MAY 7PM–11PM

This event is about our social climate Justice. Who feels safe, who gets blamed and who gets heard. As far-right narratives grow louder and migrants are targeted, we want to be a space of belonging where communities meet each other beyond stereotypes.

Join Bad Betty Press and us for an evening of poetry and music from local, national and international artists.

Bad Betty is an award-winning independent publisher of new poetry and curator of live literature events taking place across the UK. London-born, Nottingham-based, Bad Betty Press was set up in 2017 by Amy Acre and Jake Wild Hall to showcase exciting and risk-taking poetry, supporting poets’ artistic development and celebrating stories less often told. They believe strongly in art’s capacity to challenge its own definition, to curve away from the norm, making space for more varied voices.

Through poetry, music, and performance, this event will examine how the climate and social crises intersect, particularly for migrants, diaspora, and working-class communities, centring lived experience to create more inclusive, human conversations.

AGES 16+ | TICKETS AVAILABLE VIA FLUENT IN BOTH’S EVENTBRITE

AGES 16+ | TICKETS AVAILABLE VIA BAD BETTY PRESS’ EVENTBRITE BOOK YOUR TICKET ON OUR WEBSITE NAE.ORG.UK 14

BLACK & PROUD MAGAZINE LAUNCH

GOBS ARTIST GATHERING SATURDAY 30 MAY 10AM–9PM

SATURDAY 16 MAY 6PM–LATE

Spoken-word collective GOBS bring a building takeover of workshops and activities to explore creativity and wellbeing.

Join us at New Art Exchange on 16 May 2026 for the launch of A City United magazine, powered by Black and Proud CIC. This special event brings the community together to celebrate culture, connection and the voices shaping our future through sport, education, employment, wellbeing and community. Expect live performances, networking, music and food in an evening of unity and celebration.

Expect yoga, singing, writing in nature, clothes-swap, poetry, feedback sessions and performance skills. Plus, an open mic showcase in the evening. Supported by Apples and Snakes.

ALL WELCOME | TICKETS AVAILABLE VIA GOBS COLLECTIVE’S EVENTBRITE

AGES 16+ | FREE

LOUD POETS X FLUENT IN BOTH (AS A PART OF NOTTINGHAM POETRY FESTIVAL)

FRIDAY 5 JUNE 6PM-10PM Enjoy a powerful celebration of poetry and spoken word, bringing together Nottingham’s cult sellout night Fluent in Both and Edinburgh’s acclaimed Loud Poets. Expect poetry, music, cultural exchange, and boundary-pushing

performance from local, national, and international voices, creating a vibrant space for creativity, connection, and intercultural dialogue.

AGES 16+ | FREE

BOOK YOUR TICKET ON OUR WEBSITE NAE.ORG.UK 15

FRIDAY NIGHT SOCIALS WELL DRESSED PRESENTS…

FINDING ALBION: AN EVENING WITH ZAKIA SEWELL SATURDAY 6 JUNE 7:30PM-11PM

To celebrate the release of her book, Finding Albion, we are excited to host an evening with author Zakia Sewell.

songs, ancient legends, Celtic seasonal rites and mystic stone circles that punctuate our landscape.

Zakia is on a quest for another Britain.

Traversing the length and breadth of our island from Somerset to Scotland, she’s seeking out a different story – one that lies beyond divisive national myths and symbols. In Finding Albion, Zakia uncovers an alternative spirit of Britain that is vividly alive today. It is found in otherworldly folk

Zakia will be in conversation about her book, followed by a performance from Dawn Terry and some choice tunes from DJ Ghilli Girl. We will also have a specially curated pop-up bookshop hosted by Nottingham’s Five Leaves Books.

16+ ONLY | TICKETS AVAILABLE VIA WELL DRESSED’S EVENTBRITE

BOOK YOUR TICKET ON OUR WEBSITE NAE.ORG.UK 16

FRIDAY NIGHT SOCIALS

SOFAR SOUNDS FRIDAY 12 JUNE 7PM–LATE

Step into the world of Sofar, where unexpected spaces, attentive audiences and exceptional talent come together.

For one night, Sofar Nottingham takes over NAE Gallery, showcasing three artists in an intimate live music experience.

ALL AGES WELCOME | TICKETS AVAILABLE VIA SOFAR SOUNDS WEBSITE

NOTTINGHAM POETRY FESTIVAL:

POETZ OFF THE ENDZ SATURDAY 13 JUNE 6PM–11PM

Poets O’ The Endz is a Nottingham spoken-word collective led by Jah Digga, championing emerging voices through live events, workshops, and digital storytelling.

Rooted in authenticity and collaboration, POTE celebrates identity, culture, and creativity while platforming local poets and performers.

AGES 16+ | FREE

BOOK YOUR TICKET ON OUR WEBSITE NAE.ORG.UK 17

FRIDAY NIGHT SOCIALS

BENJAMIN LUHIS & FRIENDS FRIDAY 3 JULY 7PM–10PM

Step into an evening of live jazz with Benjamin Luhis & Friends, hosted in our main gallery. Set against the backdrop of NAE Open 26, featuring work from over

40 artists across disciplines, this is an immersive night where music and art come together.

AGES 18+ | TICKETS £5 (INCL. DRINK ON ARRIVAL)

BOOK YOUR TICKET ON OUR WEBSITE NAE.ORG.UK 18

FRIDAY NIGHT SOCIALS

EXPERIENCE PHILIPPINES IN COLLABORATION WITH NIKKO & ELISSA

FRIDAY 10 JULY 7PM-LATE Celebrate Filipino culture at CORNER with an evening of music, food, dance and community.

Join us for an event featuring live music from local Philippine artists, traditional dance workshops, delicious Philippine food and drinks, and plenty of karaoke to keep the celebrations going. Whether you’re part of the Filipino community or simply curious to experience the culture, everyone is welcome to come together, connect, and enjoy the evening.

SAVE THE DATE. MORE DETAILS TO BE ANNOUNCED. EVERYONE WELCOME | FREE

CREATIVE CORNER

JUNK JOURNALING WITH PRIYA CHOPRA FRIDAY 17 JULY 6PM–9PM

Waste not, want not! Join Priya Chopra, for a creative workshop where we will search for the beauty amongst the mundane. We will use the ephemera (everyday items like tickets, receipts and packaging) from our daily lives and find creative ways to preserve them in a zine format.

AGES 16+ | £3

BOOK YOUR TICKET ON OUR WEBSITE NAE.ORG.UK 19

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FRIDAY NIGHT SOCIALS

REWIND: A NIGHT OF 80’S CLASSICS WITH CHRIS OLIVER FRIDAY 31 JULY 7PM-LATE

Join Chris Oliver and a lineup of local artists for a night of throwback sounds, from 80s anthems to 70’s classics. Expect high energy, big nostalgia, and iconic tunes.

Not from the 70s and 80s?

Don’t worry, we’ll get you up to speed.

80s fits encouraged.

AGES 16+ | FREE BOOK YOUR TICKET ON OUR WEBSITE NAE.ORG.UK 20

FRIDAY NIGHT SOCIALS

MEDITERRANEAN SUMMER PARTY FRIDAY 7 AUGUST 7PM-LATE

This summer, we’re bringing the Mediterranean to you.

Expect live music from Greek, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish artists, lots of dancing, in a relaxed and (hopefully) sunny atmosphere, with food and drinks to match. This is a day for the whole family.

SAVE THE DATE. MORE DETAILS TO BE ANNOUNCED. EVERYONE WELCOME | FREE

BOOK YOUR TICKET ON OUR WEBSITE NAE.ORG.UK 21

FRIDAY NIGHT SOCIALS

RIDDZ & BIGGZ BLOCK PARTY VOL. 2 FRIDAY 21 AUGUST 6PM–LATE

BLOCK PARTY VOL. 2 IS COMING! A FREE-entry event, celebrating sound system culture, local talent, and community in Hyson Green (with some tasty BBQ)!

SAVE THE DATE AND STAY TUNED FOR MORE DETAILS. ALL AGES WELCOME | FREE

BOOK YOUR TICKET ON OUR WEBSITE NAE.ORG.UK 22

CHARITY DISCOUNTS APPLY ENQUIRE INSIDE AND ARRANGE A VIEWING: BOOKINGS@NAE.ORG.UK OR CALL 0115 924 8630