Turner Prize brings thousands of visitors to Middlesbrough

Thousands of people from across the UK have visited Middlesbrough to experience the Turner Prize during its first month, as the world-class exhibition delivers on its promise to make a huge cultural and economic impact.

Following the opening of the exhibition last month, approximately 13,000 people have paid a visit to MIMA, including visitors from as far afield as Helsinkini and New Delhi, as well as London, Leeds, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh, alongside thousands from across the Tees Valley. MIMA is part of Teesside University ands this year’s Turner Prize is the first ever hosted by a university and features work by Simeon Barclay, Marguerite Huemau, Kira Freije and Tanoa Sasraku.

The opening weekend of the exhibition saw dozens of journalists from prominent international and national broadcasters and publications visit the town which attracted glowing reviews from critics, with The Guardian urging people, ‘If you want to see the future of art, get yourself to Middlesbrough’.

The newspaper has also described the exhibition as ‘the most exciting Turner Prize in years’, while The Independent called it an ‘otherworldly show’ and ‘one of the best in recent memory’.

The impact is extending beyond visitors and national coverage, with thousands of young people set to experience the Turner Prize through a major schools programme.

The first school, Brambles Primary Academy, visited on 1 October and the programme is now fully booked until January. Following pre-Turner prize work with over 3,000 school children, there are a further 10,000 school pupils booked into visit by Christmas.

The complementary Turner on Tees programme is also brining exhibitions, events and new work to venues across Middlesbrough, Hartlepool, Redcar, Darlington and Stockton, celebrating artists connected to the Tees Valley and offering opportunities for communities and young people to get involved.

Together, the visitor figures, nationwide reach, schools and outreach programmes and critical response are putting Middlesbrough firmly in the national cultural spotlight.

Dr Laura Sillars, Dean of Culture and Creativity at Teesside University and Director of MIMA, said: “This has been a fantastic start for the Turner Prize.

“I was always confident that Middlesbrough would rise to the challenge of hosting the Turner Prize but it is fantastic to see this delivered and people coming here from across the country to witness the cutting-edge of British art.

“The response from critics has been incredibly positive, but just as important is the opportunity to introduce thousands of children and young people to the Turner Prize.

“With the schools programme fully booked until January, the Turner Prize’s impact will continue well beyond the exhibition.”

Cllr Philippa Storey, Deputy Mayor and Executive member for Education and Culture at Middlesbrough Council, said: “These early visitor numbers are excellent. It’s wonderful to see people travelling to Middlesbrough from far and wide to enjoy the Turner Prize.

“I know Middlesbrough children are also having a wonderful time as part of the schools programme. It’s so important that we can inspire young minds and show them the possibilities of creative and artistic careers.”

The Turner Prize exhibition runs until 29 March 2027. The winner of the prize will be announced in a star-studded ceremony hosted at Teesside University’s Digital Life building on December 10.