Turner Prize exhibition‘ once-in-a-generation’ opportunity for our region
FEATURE
Proud – MIMA director Dr Laura Sillars.
Turner Prize exhibition‘ once-in-a-generation’ opportunity for our region
TURNER
By Dr Laura Sillars, director of MIMA and dean of culture and creativity, Teesside University
This autumn, Teesside University will make history as the first university in the UK to host the Turner Prize through one of its cultural venues, Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art( MIMA). It is a landmark moment for our institution, our town and the wider Tees Valley, placing Middlesbrough at the centre of one of the world’ s most influential contemporary art events.
The timing could not be more significant. As Middlesbrough continues its journey towards a future UK City of Culture bid, hosting the Turner Prize provides a powerful opportunity to show the rest of the UK what those of us who live and work here already know: this is a place rich in creativity, talent, innovation and community pride. It demonstrates not only the strength of our cultural institutions, but also the power of partnership between education, business, communities and the creative sector.
As proud as we are to host the Turner Prize 2026 exhibition, our ambition extends far beyond the gallery itself. We want this moment to deliver lasting benefits for communities, young people,
ON TEES
businesses and organisations across our region. That’ s why we have created Turner on Tees, a major programme of exhibitions, artist-led projects, learning opportunities and community activity running across Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Stockton.
For Teesside University, hosting the Turner Prize is a natural extension of our belief in the power of creativity to transform lives, create opportunity and drive regional growth. Through MIMA, we are uniquely placed to connect worldclass contemporary art with education, research, skills development and community engagement. The fact that the UK’ s first university-hosted Turner Prize will take place here in Teesside is a powerful statement about the confidence, ambition and cultural strength of our region.
Turner on Tees forms part of The Next Wave: Creativity Rising, a long-term strategy to grow cultural confidence and creative ambition across the Tees Valley. Working alongside partners including ARC Stockton, Darlington Library Gallery, Dorman Museum, Hartlepool Art Gallery, Preston Park Museum & Gardens, Redcar Palace and The Auxiliary, we will celebrate local creativity and showcase the exceptional artistic talent that exists across our region.
A major priority is inspiring the next generation. Through the Turner on Tees schools programme, we expect to engage more than 18,000 children and young people through artist-led workshops, digital learning resources, curriculumlinked activities and teacher development opportunities. Already, more than 3,500 pupils have participated in assemblies and talks introducing the Turner Prize and exploring the creative opportunities available to them locally.
Alongside this, a wide-ranging programme of workshops, artist residencies, public events and neighbourhood activities will help ensure the benefits of hosting the Turner Prize are felt throughout the Tees Valley.
However, creating a lasting legacy requires collaboration and businesses have an important role to play. Whether through sponsorship, mentoring, volunteering, in-kind support or helping champion the programme, organisations can make a significant contribution to ensuring this historic opportunity delivers real benefits for local people and communities. It’ s a fantastic chance to be part of this remarkable regional story while supporting opportunities for future generations.
Hosting the Turner Prize at Teesside, the first university in the country to have ever done so, opens the door for debate about just how far-reaching culture spans. My hope is that people will remember it as the moment our communities, cultural organisations, schools, universities and businesses came together to demonstrate the creativity, ambition and confidence that define this region.
Through Turner on Tees, we have the opportunity to create a legacy that will be felt long after the exhibition closes and I invite businesses across the Tees Valley to be part of that journey.
The Turner Prize exhibition opens to the public on September 26 and the winner will be announced on December 10.
World-class – MIMA will host the Turner Prize 2026.
To explore partnership opportunities, contact Turner on Tees project manager Rachel Teate at r. teate @ tees. ac. uk
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