Exhibitions Connect 2026

EXHIBITIONS CONNECT 2026

Tuesday 28 April 2026, Millennium Gallery, Sheffield

The UK’s principle annual event for the cultural exhibitions sector.

EXHIBITIONS CONNECT is a unique opportunity to:

• hear keynote presentations from sector thought leaders 
• be inspired by informative talks and discussions about fantastic exhibitions and collaborative projects from leading sector colleagues and speakers
• hear about our latest research on the exhibitions and touring sector 
• meet and network with other professionals and organisations
• share and promote your exhibition projects, services and products to people working in our sector, all in one place!
• Book a presentation slot at our live and in-person Share Session (available on a first-come-first-served basis)

Event Schedule and Programme

WARM-UP ACTIVITIES – Monday 27 April

15:00 – 18:00 Special exhibition opening for delegates – George Shaw: Small Returns – Yorkshire Artspace

Open exclusively for Exhibitions Connect delegates, a last opportunity to visit this exhibition of paintings and works on paper by Turner-nominated artist George Shaw.

Some of the paintings in Small Returns will be shown publicly for the very first time, alongside other relevant pieces that reflect Shaw’s iconic body of work, tracing a cycle of leaving and returning that has emerged in his work. Shaw studied at Sheffield Polytechnic from 1986 – 89. Archive photographs, objects and student work capture the time and offer insights into a formative period in Shaw’s life as a student and artist.

From 18:00 Evening networking and social event – The Fargate, Sheffield (Full details will be sent to all booked delegates).

MAIN EVENT – Tuesday 28 April 

09:15 – 09:45 Introductory tour to the Graves Gallery – Join Kirstie Hamilton (she/her), Director of Programmes at Sheffield Museums for an early morning visit to the Graves Gallery, home to Sheffield’s dazzling visual art collection (Full details will be sent to all booked delegates).

10:15 – 10:45  Arrival, refreshments, networking and opportunity to visit stands

10:45 – 11:00  Welcome and Introductions by Reyahn King, Executive Director, The Exhibitions Group and Kirstie Hamilton, Director of Programmes, Sheffield Museums

11:00 – 11:45  How exhibitions can lead to organisation-wide change

Zandra Yeaman, Head of Strategy Development and Implementation, Hunterian Museum & Art Gallery in conversation with Reyahn King, Executive Director, The Exhibitions Group

11:45 – 12:15  Share Session

Hear from the following organisations and individuals about partnership opportunities and exhibitions available for hire:

• KitMapper
• Showtown
• c2c Cultura
• Natural History Museum
• V&A Dundee
• Space Fund
• The Worst Record Covers in the World
• National Museums Liverpool
• National Gallery
• Olivier Leger Ltd.

12:15 – 13:45  Lunch (included with ticket), networking, opportunity to visit stands, gallery tours

The following curator-led tours are available during the lunch break and will need to be booked in advance:

• Katie Irwin – The Taylor Wessing Photo Portrait Prize (30 max per tour)
• Ashley Gallant – Ruskin Collection: Storm-Cloud – The look of the Sky (20 max per tour)
• Amy Marsh – Artworks Together International 2026 (20 max per tour)

We will contact delegates in March with instructions on how to book a place on these tours.

13:45 – 14:15  Exhibition Making Now: Strategy, Skills and Sustainable Models

Join Miranda Stacey (TEG) and Rachel Mapplebeck (Cultural Associates Oxford) for an overview of Temporary and Touring Exhibitions Practice: Economic, Production and Partnership Models, a major new research report commissioned by The Exhibitions Group and supported by Arts Council England. Drawing on the research findings on strategy, impact evaluation and skills, alongside the financial, logistical and geographic challenges shaping the UK exhibitions landscape, Miranda and Rachel will highlight emerging partnership models, economic approaches, and opportunities for innovation.  From co‑production and local adaptation to digital experiences, this session offers insights for organisationsseeking to strengthen and future‑proof their temporary and touring exhibitions work.

14:15 – 15:05  Co-creating on the move: Community led approaches to exhibition making and touring

Panel: Mark Revels (Armagh, Northern Ireland), Margie Houlston (National Museums Liverpool), and Saeed Olayiwola, Workplace Health, Community Development and Personal Wellbeing Consultant (S.O Health).

Chair: Dana Andrew, Professional Development Manager, The Exhibitions Group

A panel discussion with speakers from the MAGNET network, Art Fund’s Going Places cohort, and community development champions on how community collaboration is reshaping exhibition making and touring. Exploring co‑production, local partnerships, and new touring models, this session highlights practical insights and inspiring examples of how museums can centre community voices to create more relevant, responsive, and impactful exhibitions, events and programmes.

15:05 – 15:50  Refreshments, networking and opportunity to visit stands

15:50 – 16:30  Keynote Speaker – Dr. Mya-Rose Craig  – ‘Birdgirl’ – Read more

16:30 – 16:40  Updates from The Exhibitions Group, event wrap-up and close

Exhibition stands will be presented at the event by:

• American Museum & Gardens
• Art Fund
• Arts Council
• Blue Tokay
• CameronLife Photo Library
• Constantine
• Fox Exhibitions
• GEM
• Imogen’s World
• KitMapper
• Mo Suleman
• Momart
• Olivier Leger Ltd
• Royal Photographic Society
• Sanders Exhibition Services
• Sharmanka
• TESS Demountable
• The Exhibitours
• Warren Elsmore

Make sure you’re on our mailing list to receive all the latest updates.

Exhibitions Connect is supported by Momart and Constantine. 

With thanks to our hosts, Sheffield Museums.

Ticket sales close 17 April.

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