Turner Prize 2026 to be hosted at MIMA

One of the world’s preeminent prizes for contemporary art, the Turner Prize 2026, is to be hosted at MIMA, Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art.

Part of Teesside University, MIMA is known globally for artistic excellence and community regeneration.

The Turner Prize, which is organised by Tate, is one of the world’s leading artistic accolades and is awarded annually to a British visual artist. ‘British’ can mean an artist working primarily in Britain or an artist born in Britain working globally.

The prize has helped launch the careers and reputations of numerous internationally renowned artists including Damien Hirst, Steve McQueen, Grayson Perry, Antony Gormley, Veronica Ryan, Lubaina Himid and, most recently, Jasleen Kaur.

Following Bradford’s hosting of the 2025 Turner Prize, the exhibition of work by the four shortlisted artists for Turner Prize 2026 will open in autumn 2026 at MIMA, with the announcement of the winner in December 2026.

Tees Valley Combined Authority is working in partnership with MIMA and Teesside University to bring the Turner Prize exhibition to MIMA, Middlesbrough in 2026 and develop a connected programme of activity and sector support across the Tees Valley as part of its Growth Programme for the Creative and Visitor Economies.

Recently lauded by the chairman of Arts Council England, Sir Nicholas Serota, as a ‘beacon and a catalyst’ for social and economic development, MIMA is at the heart of Middlesbrough’s thriving visual arts scene.

Its work to centre artists within communities has encouraged more young artists to remain in the region, while it also acts as a creative magnet, encouraging artists to choose Middlesbrough as their base.

MIMA’s impact is immediately evident through the grassroots galleries and art organisations established throughout the town, while large-scale public art including Claes Oldenburg’s ‘Bottle of Notes’ and ‘Temenos’ by Anish Kapoor, a previous Turner Prize winner, are a short walk from the gallery.

Hosting this globally significant prize is part of Middlesbrough’s ambitious plans to further develop arts and cultural organisations alongside its rapidly growing tech sector.

In 2025, cultural leaders in the town launched Towards 2030, a road map to the town’s bicentenary and Teesside University’s centenary. Investment of over £80m, from a cross-section of public and private organisations, has kickstarted this strategy, developing new creative production facilities, galleries, artist studios, workshops, community resources and creative workspaces alongside two Grade II historic buildings restored and repurposed for contemporary cultural and creative production.

Hosting the Turner Prize builds on these ambitious plans, cementing Middlesbrough’s reputation as a cultural and creative hub and demonstrating its commitment to artists and art.

Dr Laura Sillars, Director of MIMA and Dean of Culture & Creativity at Teesside University, said: “Hosting an event of this magnitude showcases the leading role MIMA plays in developing and building the contemporary arts ecosystem locally, nationally and internationally.

“Bringing the Turner Prize to Middlesbrough will connect artistic communities, bringing a global focus to our thriving arts scene.

“We’re planning a fabulous set of events and projects to ensure visitors have a brilliant experience when they come to Middlesbrough.”

Professor Paul Croney OBE, Vice-Chancellor & Chief Executive of Teesside University, said: “As an anchor institution, dedicated to transforming lives and economies, supporting the cultural success of this region and beyond is central to our mission.

“MIMA’s work is key to this. Through its thriving arts, curating and cultural leadership courses and arts research, it propels students into creative careers and supports artists to international success.

“Hosting the Turner Prize exemplifies our ambition and commitment to seeing art and culture thrive in the Tees Valley, the UK and internationally.”

Alex Farquharson, Director of Tate Britain and Chair of the Turner Prize jury, said: “We’re thrilled the Turner Prize will be held in Middlesbrough next year, for what promises to be an unmissable event.

“The Turner Prize exists to spark public conversations around contemporary art, and its enduring popularity is due to the way it spotlights the rich cultural offerings of our towns and cities.

“We look forward to these conversations taking place at MIMA, whose exciting exhibition programme and permanent collection has its community at its centre.”

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “The announcement of the Turner Prize in Middlesbrough is a major coup which underlines our commitment to building this sector – one that plays an important role in driving economic growth.

"An event of this stature bolsters our growing reputation for attracting major UK events to Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool. Bringing the Turner Prize here will bring investment, visitors, and opportunity – supporting our drive to transform our region.”

Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke said: “Hosting the Turner Prize is a massive win for Middlesbrough.

“We’ve been working hard on a mission to be the Most Creative Town and welcoming new visitors will help us change perceptions and highlight the brilliant things that happen here every day.

“We’re thrilled to be supporting MIMA and Teesside University in putting on a show that will attract headlines around the arts world.”

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