Gallery partners with university to launch BCU Tuesdays

Ikon has announced an innovative new partnership with Birmingham City University (BCU) which enables the gallery to open on Tuesdays for a year.

With BCU Tuesdays, visitors can enjoy an additional day of free entry to Ikon’s exhibitions, starting with the current show Friends in Love and War - L’Éloge des meilleur·es ennemi·es.

Ikon, now in its 60th year, was founded in 1964 by a group of artist teachers from Birmingham School of Art at Birmingham City University (BCU).

The gallery now welcomes over 200,000 visitors annually, remains free for everyone and works to address key social issues whilst championing arts education and social mobility.

On BCU Tuesdays, Ikon hosts gallery visits from education groups including BCU and regional schools and colleges.

Ikon will also facilitate free BCU Explore Days, delivered by BCU Art Design and Media staff to introduce Key Stage 4 and 5 students to the creative industries.

In Summer 2025 Ikon and BCU will co-produce a Creative Careers Fair, showcasing professional development and employment opportunities within the West Midlands’ arts and cultural sector.

Professor David Mba, vice-chancellor, Birmingham City University, said: “We see this collaboration as a fantastic opportunity to awaken the interest in talented young people to pursue study opportunities in arts and culture - and, as a university that produces more creative graduates than any other in the West Midlands, BCU is ideally placed to help those students follow their passion.

“I am a big believer in the power of the creative industries – and this collaboration with Ikon will be transformative, not just for the sector but for the many people who experience it. I’m extremely excited to see how impactful BCU Tuesdays can be, and I’d like to thank Ikon for their vision and can-do spirit.”

Ian Hyde, chief executive officer, Ikon, said: “Ikon’s contemporary relevance is defined by its audience, with a high proportion of young people, 53 per cent aged 16 to 34, visiting the gallery annually.

“We recognise that this younger audience is key to Ikon’s future and our new partnership with BCU will create more training and employment opportunities to futureproof the creative industries. Ikon is 60 years old now, and we’re focused on developing the workforce that will lead the gallery towards its centenary.”

Pictured (L-R): Professor David Mba, vice-chancellor, Birmingham City University and Ian Hyde, chief executive officer, Ikon