JUNE – SEPTEMBER 2025
Enjoyplant-baseddishesfromadifferentcultureon thefirstThursdayofeverymonth.
TheINDIANKitchen-MELASPECIAL* 5thJune: 3rdJuly: 7thAugust: 11thSeptember:
TheJAPANESEKitchen
TheJAMAICANKitchen
Everyonewelcome–nooneturnedawayforlackoffunds. Drinksavailabletobuyatthecafé.
UNLEASH season marks the next chapter in our leadership transformation at New Art Exchange.
We continue to centre the work of our VOICE Assembly, the world’s first permanent Citizen Assembly embedded within a cultural institution. Their recommendations are shaping how we work, lead, and imagine the role of art in public life.
This season, we expand this commitment through projects that challenge traditional boundaries and activate new forms of collaboration.
From our new exhibition ‘Through Our Eyes’, led by children from local schools curating their own photographic biennale and offering fresh perspectives on Hyson Green, to Behind Closed Doors, a new programme
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
empowering women creatives to lead Nottingham’s music scene.
Alongside this, Cultivate continues with its support for community-driven spacemaking, and Nottingham Mela returns with a celebration of South Asian heritage across the city.
Each project celebrates our plurality, embraces our complexity, and reflects our shared belief in the power of people to shape culture from where they stand. Join us at New Art Exchange for UNLEASH, a season of bold ideas, local leadership and collective imagination.
Together, we are the change we want to see.
Saad-Eddine Said CEO and Artistic Director New Art Exchange
A short walk from The Forest tram
Artists list:
Abby Prior
Aida Wilde
Akshay Ramsewak
Asuf Ishaq
Benjamin Rostance
Bims Ayorinde
Broken Glass
Cesar Cornejo
Charlie Valentine
Chinedum Nwankwo
Chuck Man
Courtenay Welcome
Cylena Simonds
Dana Church
Dohyun Baek
Elise Harrington
Emily Catherine
Esteban Peña Parga
Faiza Butt
Fungai Marima
Hsi Nong Huang
Jagjit Kaur
James Mellor
Jeremy Chuang Chih Hao
Joanna Cohn
Johanna Yaovi
John Rwothmack
Joy Baek
Lila Rui Lan
Julieta Tetelbaum
Katie Gabra
Lena Ngoudjo
Layla Smith
M H Sarkis
Mamu Unu
Mani Kambo
Mei Lock
Mianam Bashir
Mita Vaghela
Natalie Mitchell
Nick Mobbs
Noemi Gunea
Parham Ghalamder
Ransom Sutton
Safira Ali
Santhanha Nguyen
Saroj Patel
Sherrie Edgar
Sullivan Alenezi
Suman Gujral
Tianxi Wang
Tom Hackett
Whiskey Chow
Winter Beaumont
Yeu – Lai Mo
31 MAY TO 13 SEPTEMBER 2025
The NAE Open returns for its fifth edition with a bold, diverse and stimulating exhibition showcasing painting, video, live art, photography, textiles and sculpture.
Selected through a competitive open call, the featured works are by Nottinghamshire-based artists and Global Ethnic Majority* artists from across the UK.
A panel of neighbours, artists and curators reviewed an exceptional range of submissions to choose the most original, high-quality pieces. The resulting exhibition brings together artists at different stages of their careers, exploring themes and issues that resonate today.
The artworks reflect the breadth of NAE’s mission, from personal stories of migration and identity to questions of belonging, culture, politics, and place. Many pieces speak directly to life in Nottingham— its people, stories, and ever-evolving landscape.
NAE will award two prizes: a future exhibition opportunity and a creative residency.
*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.
Santhanha
Mamu
Tianxi
Emily
John
M.K.
Chinedum
Fungai
Asuf
30 MAY TO 12 JULY 2025
Through Our Eyes is a powerful new exhibition featuring the work of more than 50 children from Scotholme and Forest Fields Primary Schools. The project invites us to see Hyson Green through their eyes; vibrant, complex, and full of wonder.
Guided by professional photographer Ismail Khokon, these young creatives explored photography as a tool for storytelling, identity, and pride in place. From portraits and still life to street scenes and abstract textures, the outcomes are moving, imaginative, and deeply rooted in lived experience. The children curated their own work, deliberated meaning, and selected the images that best represent the world they want us to see.
Through Our Eyes is more than a public exhibition; it’s a growing commitment to honouring youth leadership and embedding creativity into the fabric of our neighbourhood. This biennale marks the beginning of a new tradition at NAE: one where children are not just participants, but authors of our cultural landscape.
19 JULY - 13 SEPTEMBER
Step into the world of Christopher Hanson’s powerful new exhibition, Portraits in Silence – The Symbolism of Identity. Through a captivating series of large-scale, realistic portraits, Hanson challenges traditional notions of representation, focusing on individuals who have been historically excluded from classical portraiture. Trained at the London Academy of Representational Art, Hanson’s classical approach is grounded in an exploration of identity, race, and culture.
Drawing on his unique experience as the first and only Black artist to graduate from the London Academy of Representational Art – an atelier school with traditional teaching methods – Hanson’s work explores the beauty, fascination and complexity of Black and Brown bodies, which historically have been depicted in painting as exotic, hyper-sexual and hypermasculine. In this new exhibition, the artist invites viewers to see beyond this and connect with the raw, intimate stories of
those historically excluded from classical painting or on the margins of society. Portraits in Silence showcases new works developed during Hanson’s residencies at The Art House (TAH) in 2022 and 2023.
A new body of work introduces individuals who Hanson worked closely, who have experienced the asylum process and are part of TAH’s Studio of Sanctuary. These portraits give voice to refugees and those who have had to seek sanctuary in the UK, shedding light on personal histories that are often hidden or overlooked in traditional portraiture.
The new series will be shown for the first time and brought together alongside some of Hanson’s signature works. His largescale, realistic portraits of subjects, created using traditional painting methods, show great accuracy and detail. Hanson not only captures the likeness but also the essence of his sitters, presenting classical technique but contemporary content.
During her residency, Bims will focus on capturing universal and timeless experiences that evoke nostalgia and highlight the beauty of celebration in everyday life. The artist aims to reflect shared emotions and memories, honouring personal and communal joyful moments. At its core, her practice celebrates the essence of community—those connections, traditions, and gatherings that bring people together and shape our collective experience.
This residency will give her the freedom and time to paint without constraint, allowing her to truly explore her craft and deepen her understanding of my identity as an artist.
8 JULY - 6 SEPTEMBER
The plan is to develop a new immersive installation titled “Echoes of Africa” as part of the African art and cultural enhancement initiative. The project will explore the intersection of African cultures, identity, and belonging. Creating an interactive environment incorporating sound, visual, and tactile elements, inviting audiences to engage with the diversity and richness of African heritage.
This year, as part of Cultivate, we’re proud to support Mimm Studios, one of Nottingham’s most exciting creative forces. Known for their deep roots in the city’s music and art scenes, they are leading a fresh, communitydriven programme that is developing new spaces for artistic expression, learning, and connection.
Their current series of free workshops and meet-ups focuses on opening up access to visual art and music production for the next generation of creatives from the global majority.
Cultivate exists to amplify Nottingham’s creative potential by investing in the people and projects shaping the city’s future. At New Art Exchange, our role is to support that growth through funding, mentoring, collaboration, and connection. Join our newsletter to stay informed about opportunities, events, and the ways you and your project can access support from New Art Exchange.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
MIMM & RISQUÉ RHODES PRESENTS: PRODUCERS CLUB
UPCOMING SESSIONS:
12 JUNE: SYNTH LEADS
26 JUNE: PRODUCER LINK-UP SOCIAL
8 JULY: GUEST SESSION ON MIXDOWNS
24 JULY: PRODUCTION LINK-UP SOCIAL
12 AUGUST: LESSON ON ARRANGEMENT
MIMM & ZIROZIRO PRESENTS: LISTEN & PAINT ART CLUB
UPCOMING SESSIONS: 14 JUNE; 12 JULY AND 2 AUGUST
Save the dates! Nottingham Mela will once again share and celebrate South Asian art and culture. See the website or mailing list for details as they are released.
ALL AGES WELCOME | FREE
EVERY THURSDAY FROM
JUNE: 12, 19, 26 | JULY: 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
AUGUST: NO SESSIONS
SEPTEMBER: 4, 11, 18, 25 | OCTOBER: 2, 9, 16
Join Art Your Way winner, Sandra Leite Mirrado (SaLeMi), for a series of community art therapy workshops that provide handson learning and interactive activities in a supportive, inclusive environment, designed to support mental wellbeing and ease social isolation.
Through the calming, creative process of crochet, participants will explore new techniques, connect with others, and contribute to a vibrant large-scale artwork that celebrates the strength of shared creativity.
ALL AGES WELCOME | FREE
28 JUNE | 26 JULY | 30 AUGUST
Behind Closed Doors (BCD) is a platform for women working across the creative industries - especially women of colour - to connect, grow, and build a lasting community.
Through a three-part summer series of hands-on workshops, honest Q&As, wellness sessions and social mixers, BCD creates a space rooted in support, collaboration, and creative empowerment. Whether you’re just starting out or deep into your creative journey, this space is yours.
At its core, Behind Closed Doors offers Live Q&A: Unfiltered chats with established creatives on finding their voice, starting out,
SESSIONS OVERVIEW
SESSION 1: 28 JUNE
Behind the Brand: Crafting Your Creative Identity
Theme: Foundations, Confidence and Career Strategy
An intimate day focused on aligning your values with your creative path.
and navigating the highs and lows of the creative industry.
Skill Enhancement: Participate in creative development workshops, update your press kit with free headshots, and join an Artist’s Way accountability group designed to support your ongoing growth.
Live Socials: Evening socials featuring live performances, DJs and creative “speedfriending” - all designed to spark genuine connections and new collaborations.
A Legacy Directory: Become part of a peer-curated, trusted network of women creatives - built for opportunity sharing, collaboration and visibility.
SESSION 2: 26 JULY
The Power of Collaboration: Skill-Building and Network Expansion
Theme: Collaboration and Professional Growth
Explore how strong partnerships and networks can elevate your vision.
SESSION 3: 30 AUGUST
Making Your Mark: Career Longevity and Impact
Theme: Sustainability, Monetisation and Your Legacy
A session exploring what long-term success looks like and how to build it.
FLUENTINBOTH X NEW ART EXCHANGE PRESENT VOICES
20 JUNE 7PM TILL LATE
As part of this year’s Nottingham Poetry Festival, this special event will celebrate intercultural exchange through poetry, music, and dance. Centring on the experiences of poets and performers who speak English as a second language, the event will explore what it means to live as a foreigner, the challenges of migration, and the beauty of multicultural identity. This show will merge artistic expression with meaningful dialogue, community connection, and global visibility.
+16 ONLY | FREE
CELEBRATION OF LUSO-AFRICAN CULTURE IN NOTTINGHAM
4 JULY 7PM TILL LATE
Join us in celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the Nottingham PALOP (Portuguese-speaking African countries) community. This special event brings together music, food, fashion, and community spirit in a joyful tribute to the nations of Angola, Mozambique, GuineaBissau, and Cape Verde, featuring:
Live music performances from talented artists representing each of the PALOP countries, showcasing diverse musical traditions and contemporary sounds.
DJ sets featuring Kizomba rhythms, as well as Kuduro and Afrobeats. Traditional attire will be available for you to try on.
A delicious selection of traditional food, including a BBQ, o ers authentic flavours across the Lusophone African world and for one night only, Cuca Beer returns to Nottingham — a nostalgic taste of Angola.
Organised in collaboration with the Angolan Women’s Voice Association and Hil the Poet, this event celebrates community, culture, and connection, welcoming everyone to share in the Luso-African spirit.
ALL AGES WELCOME | FREE
As New Art Exchange presents The Friday Night Mix-Up, get ready to step behind the decks and dive into a night of dance music, vinyl and turntablism. Whether you’re a total beginner, a bedroom DJ looking to level up, or a digital whiz curious about vinyl, we’ve got you covered.
Delivered across three interactive tiers, this is more than just a workshop: it’s a full-on masterclass through DJing. Some of the region’s finest will guide you:
- Stephi Bricks (Sol Service) Always wanted to try DJing? Stephi will bring energy to first timers, making the decks feel like home with accessible and welcoming intro sessions. (Beginner)
- Adrian (Rayworth / Coco Tang) Already got the basics down? Take the next step to tighten up those beat-matching skills and learn more creative uses of FX on a clubstandard setup. (Intermediate)
- Robin (Rpal / Revinyl Sessions), do you already fancy yourself a bit of a DJ? Try going analogue, learning how to mix old school on vinyl. (Pro)
Stick around for the open decks session in the NAE café, where anyone can step up and test out their new tricks. Plus, enjoy drinks, good vibes, and a community that celebrates electronic music.
This is a free night for all music lovers, so come mix it up with us.
+14 ONLY | FREE
Join us for the second series of Local Legends, a night hosted by the charismatic Chelsi that spotlights emerging talent from Nottingham and beyond.
Following the first edition’s success, Riddla returns to curate an intimate evening of raw performances, community vibes, and genre-blending sounds. A Producer and Artist shaped by the rhythms of Ghana, the energy of Germany, and the creativity of Nottingham, Riddla’s journey through Grime, Highlife, and beyond has seen him work with icons like Young T & Bugsey and the late Costa Titch.
Whether you’re here for the music, the stories, or the community, Local Legends is where talent meets heart. Come through and witness something special.
1 AUGUST 7PM–9PM
Join us for a playful twist on traditional life drawing! Sketch Sip & Switch invites you to grab your pencil, take a seat, and get ready to move. In this musical-chairs-meets-speeddating workshop, you’ll draw the person opposite you, then switch and do it all again! Whether you’re a seasoned artist or just curious, it’s a fun, relaxed way to connect, create, and sharpen your sketching skills. Enjoy a variety of refreshments as you mingle, laugh, and discover how others see each other through art. All materials provided. Just bring your imagination— and maybe your best angle!
SPACES ARE LIMITED - BOOKING IS REQUIRED. +16 ONLY
8 AUGUST 7PM TILL LATE
Join us for a night of pure nostalgia as Chris Oliver takes the stage with a line up of local artists to celebrate the unforgettable sounds of the naughty 90s! Expect throwback hits, infectious energy, and a soulful tribute to a decade that defined a generation.
Featuring a lineup of local Nottingham talent, this one-night-only event brings together some of the city’s finest musicians for a high-energy, feel-good evening packed with rhythm, groove, and iconic tunes. 90s dress-up encouraged!
+16 ONLY | FREE
15 AUGUST 7PM TILL LATE
Join us on Friday, August 15, at New Art Exchange, Nottingham, for Experience Nigeria, a lively evening filled with music, dance, food, and good vibes.
In collaboration with African Corner Notts, we will celebrate the spirit of Nigerian culture with live performances, traditional dance, DJs spinning both classic and modern Afro sounds, and an MC to keep the energy flowing. Enjoy a variety of authentic dishes, snacks, and drinks inspired by Nigerian flavours, all served in a warm and welcoming space. Bring your people, and let’s enjoy a night of joy, rhythm, and connection
AGES WELCOME | FREE
5 SEPTEMBER 7PM TILL LATE
This edition will honour the legacy of the Windrush Generation, the Caribbean migrants who arrived in the UK between 1948 and the early 1970s and explore their cultural, political, and emotional impact on British society. This event will spotlight migration, resilience, identity, and heritage stories through poetry, music, and dance while giving space to intergenerational voices.
+16 ONLY
26 SEPTEMBER 7PM TILL LATE
Acoustickle Indian Summer is a beautiful evening of eastern-inspired music, poetry, themed decorations and pop-up stalls. Artists performing come from Asian, Middle Eastern and North African backgrounds, fusing their cultural heritages with genres like jazz, R&B and hip hop.
See emerging musicians from Nottingham’s dynamic scene early in their careers, before they become internationally known.
Indian Food by SFiCE Foundation; Jewellery by Eastern Spice Girls; Mandala Colouring and Henna Hand Designs
+16 ONLY
THURSDAYS 19 JUNE – 17 JULY
4:30PM-6:30PM
Join us for a series of engaging workshops where we’ll explore the fascinating world of analogue photography through alternative processes. We’ll experiment with cyanotypes, pinhole cameras, and film photography, and work on developing creative projects along the way. The course is designed to spark your creativity and encourage you to think beyond traditional forms of photography.
LIMITED SPACES AVAILABLE AGES 12-18
SATURDAYS 7 JUNE & 5 JULY 11AM–1PM
An informal, free-play workshop with various props to pick up and play with under the watchful eyes of expert and multi-skilled performer @dapper_dom_ artist! There’ll be smaller props, such as juggling bean bags and scarves, poi, spinning plates, bucket stilts, and diablos, not forgetting some larger items!
UNDER 14’S ONLY (WITH PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN)
SATURDAYS 7 JUNE & 26 JULY 11AM–1PM
Discover the art of finger drumming and learn how to create your own sample-based beats. In this hands-on workshop, music technology for education specialist Bradley Smith will guide you through the essential techniques to kickstart your beat-making journey—no prior experience needed.
LIMITED SPACES AVAILABLE AGES 10-17 & 18+
APPLICATION DATE: 30 MAY - 30 JUNE
18-30 years old? Want to be a part of something amazing? Being a part of YOUnique might just be for you! Learn about what it takes to put together an event or festival from industry professionals, the NAE team, and other group members. You and the collective will then take over a festival in NAE! Sounds good?
Drop-in session on the 7 JUNE 10AM - 3PM AT NAE
APPLY VIA THE OPPORTUNITIES PAGE ON OUR WEBSITE.
We are looking to add to our pool of facilitators, so we’re calling out to anyone interested in running a series of our Saturday Art Club sessions. We are looking for people who are keen to work with young people (12 and under) and their families across varying visual art forms. Each season will change to suit the leading exhibition at NAE.
APPLICATIONS WILL OPEN SOON, KEEP AN EYE ON OUR OPPORTUNITIES SECTION OF OUR WEBSITE OR SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER.
APPLICATION DATE: 19 JULY – 2 SEPTEMBER
EXHIBIT is an open call for solo exhibitions at New Art Exchange. Now in its second edition, the programme invites artists, curators and creative practitioners from the Global Ethnic Majority to propose bold and socially engaged exhibition proposals rooted in contemporary visual culture. Selected proposals will receive a support package of £25,000 to deliver a major solo exhibition at NAE. The package will cover artist fees, production, materials, and marketing, alongside mentoring and opportunities to engage with our communities.
Final selections are made by a diverse citizen panel through a unique process of deliberation and care.
Applications will open soon, keep an eye on our opportunities section of our website.
+16 ONLY | FREE
APPLICATION DATE: 1 SEPTEMBER - 30 SEPTEMBER
Join our development programme for aspiring and emerging trustees from the Global Ethnic Majority. RESHAPING GOVERNANCE supports individuals who want to take up leadership roles in the cultural sector, with a focus on board participation and governance.
The programme includes training sessions, mentoring, and practical board placements with cultural organisations. Ten places will be available, and a bursary will support travel and expenses.
Apply to take your first steps into cultural leadership.
APPLICATIONS WILL OPEN SOON, KEEP AN EYE ON OUR OPPORTUNITIES SECTION OF OUR WEBSITE.
