Birmingham Open art competition is back for a third year and this time it is in partnership with Joe Lycett-inspired International Day of Birmingham(IDOB).
Birmingham Colmore, Central BID and IDOB are behind the popular open-call competition and exhibition, which supports emerging artists by championing creative talent inspired by the city.
Birmingham Open 26 has a competition theme of ‘Birmingham’ to reflect the new partnership with IDOB, placing the city’s stories, people, culture and global connections at the heart of the exhibition.
An independent judging panel will convene in early July, with the exhibitions opening to the public from 7–24 September, celebrating the final day on 24 September – International Day of Birmingham 2026.
Emerging artists are urged to respond to the theme of Birmingham in whatever way feels most meaningful to them.
It could be Birmingham in the UK yet as it is in partnership with International Day of Birmingham, artists can also take inspiration from some of the 18 Birminghams across North America visited by Joe Lycett in the 2025 TV series, Joe Lycett’s United States of Birmingham.
Stretching from Canada’s Saskatchewan province, down to the East Coast of the US, through the Midwest and into the Deep South, their history and their collective Brummie cultural commonalities offer a rich starting point for personal interpretation.
Inspiration might include the symbols of Brum, everyday lived experiences, hidden stories or global connections, but ultimately, the organisers welcome any response that reflects a personal, thoughtful or imaginative take on Birmingham today.
The 2026 exhibition will be displayed across key city centre sites – long-listed works exhibited at Victoria Square with support by Central BID and the top 10 shortlisted artworks showcased at Snow Hill Square.
Steve Hewlett, Manager of Central BID, said: “We are delighted to be working with Birmingham Colmore on the return of ‘The Open’, a wonderful showcase of breath-taking artistic talent in the city.
“We look forward to displaying this years designs in Victoria Square for everyone to enjoy. This forms part of our longer-term strategy of having an ‘always on art trail’ across the Central BID area to help drive footfall to our BID member businesses.”
This year’s competition is now open for entries until Friday 19 June 2026.
Prizes for Birmingham Open 26 include a £2,000 cash prize for the Overall Winner, £1,000 for Highly Commended Award and £1,000 People’s Choice Award, all accompanied by professional portfolio reviews for the three winning artists.
Joe Lycett said: “Birmingham has an extraordinary and vibrant art scene, and also happens to be the best city in the world, so I fully endorse this celebration of the city and its artists.”
Ruth Millington, the exhibition curator, who also curated the Lee Child: Creating Reacher exhibition in Grand Central for Central BID, said: “Birmingham Open has become a vital platform for emerging artists responding to the city.
“Each year we see more ambition, confidence and diversity in the work, and the partnership with IDOB brings an exciting new international dimension to the 2026 exhibition.”
The successful 2025 Birmingham Open saw over 80 emerging artists exhibited in the city centre. Last year’s winners are currently on display in EMERGENCE exhibition at BCU School of Art on Margaret Street until 23 April. Artists are encouraged to visit the free exhibition in April for competition inspiration.
Melanie Williams, Birmingham Colmore Board Director and Lead of the Colmore Placemaking Working Group added: “Now in its third year, Birmingham Open reflects our ongoing commitment to championing emerging creativity in the city centre. The strength of last year’s exhibition showed just how much talent is being nurtured across Birmingham and we’re incredibly proud to support that journey.”
Key Birmingham Open 26 dates and info
Competition theme: Birmingham
Entries open: 14 April – 19 June 2026
Entry form: see web page here
Judging: July 2026
Overall Winner and Highly Commended revealed: August 2026
Exhibition live: 7–24 September 2026
People’s Choice revealed: October 2026
From the top 10, members of the public will be invited to vote for their favourite work by scanning a QR code on site, with the People’s Choice Award winner announced after the exhibition has closed.
For more information, and the entry details, visit the Birmingham Open 26 web page here.