Birmingham Jewellery Biennial

Following the announcement that the inaugural Birmingham Jewellery Biennial will take place throughout May 2027, organisers have revealed that the flagship exhibition will be held at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, overseen by the newly appointed Exhibition Curator, Sophie Morris.

An open call launches in August, offering jewellery artists from across the UK the opportunity to showcase their work in a world-renowned museum alongside leading contemporary jewellers, with thousands of pounds in prize money up for grabs.

A stellar Jury has also been selected to oversee the open call and prize selection. Serving as the Biennial open call’s formal decision-making body, the Jury will work closely with the Exhibition Curator throughout the development of the flagship exhibition, providing expert industry insight.

The Jury comprises 12 leading figures in the jewellery industry, including:

• Alistair Audsley, Co-founder & CEO, Alliance of British Watch & Clock Makers
• Hannah Martin, internationally recognised designer, consultant and jeweller, whose work has been worn by celebrities including FKA Twigs and Madonna
• Joanna Hardy, Gemmologist and Fine Jewellery Specialist who regularly appears on BBC Antiques Roadshow
• Lee Lapthorne, artist, Creative Director and Director of Creative Partnerships at Birmingham City University, whose clients include Gucci, JLR and Vogue
• Manish Jogia, Managing Director of MJ Group Holdings, whose portfolio includes Jewellery Quarter businesses such as Sonny’s Jewellery and Newey’s Jewellers
• Mimi Hoppen, Global Director of Jewellery & Watches at Dover Street Market International
• Melanie Eddy, acclaimed Sculptural Jeweller and Lecturer at Birmingham City University’s School of Jewellery
• Muriel Piaser, international creative consultant and founder of Muriel Piaser Consulting & Precious Room
• Naomi Newton-Sherlock, Creative Director at Weston Beamor
• Rachael Taylor, British jewellery and watch journalist, author and editor
• Rajesh Gogna, Precious Metalwork Artist and a former Chairman of the Association of Contemporary British Silversmiths

Supporting the Jury in a non-voting remit will be Ben Massey the Chief Executive of the National Association of Jewellers, Rebecca Unsworth, Curator of Decorative Art at Birmingham Museums Trust, Matthew Bott, the Chair of Jewellery Quarter Development Trust, and Birmingham Jewellery Biennial’s Festival Director and City Curator, Alex Nicholson-Evans.

Sophie joins the Birmingham Jewellery Biennial from the Victoria & Albert Museum, where she was Curator of the Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Collection. A curator and object historian specialising in jewellery, her work spans exhibitions, film, and writing, exploring materials and techniques, from gemstones and enamels to precious metals. She began her curatorial career at the University of Birmingham’s Barber Institute of Fine Arts, and she now returns to the city with a wealth of expertise in the history, techniques, and materials that define jewellery-making. 

Together, the Jury and Exhibition Curator will play a crucial role in shaping the Biennial’s flagship exhibition by overseeing the selection of the jewellery artists and awarding monetary prizes. Drawing on their collective expertise across the jewellery, art, craft, and design sectors, they will bring together a diverse range of perspectives and insights to curate and showcase the very best of contemporary jewellery artists and makers from across the UK.

Sara Wajid and Zak Mensah, the co-CEOs of Birmingham Museums Trust, said:

We are incredibly proud that Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery will be the flagship exhibition venue for the Birmingham Jewellery Biennial 2027. The city’s jewellery heritage is woven into Birmingham’s history, but the biennial is also about looking forward – championing the artists and makers who are shaping the future of contemporary jewellery. We look forward to welcoming visitors from across the UK and internationally to celebrate Birmingham as a city where exceptional craft, heritage and contemporary ideas come together.

Sophie Morris, Exhibition Curator, said:

This is a dream project for any curator, and Birmingham is the perfect place to tell the story of why jewellery craft matters. Working with an outstanding panel of jewellery experts, the exhibition will celebrate the extraordinary skill and creativity that goes into jewellery-making in the UK today. It will put that work in dialogue with BMAG’s world-class collections, Birmingham’s thriving communities and globally renowned jewellery artists. For visitors, it will be a chance to see breathtaking jewellery up close, and to get to know artists and stories that keep the craft alive today.”

Birmingham Jewellery Biennial was announced earlier this year, following the city’s recognition as a World Craft City for Jewellery and Allied Trades by the World Crafts Council in 2025. 

Co-founded by Jewellery Quarter Development Trust and Birmingham City University, Birmingham Jewellery Biennial is set to become the UK’s leading festival dedicated to the art, innovation and heritage of jewellery. It takes place across Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter and the wider city from 1-31 May 2027.

Visit www.birminghamjewellerybiennial.com to read the Jury’s biographies in full and be the first to hear when the flagship exhibition’s open call goes live in August.

One year on since Birmingham was named as a World Craft City for Jewellery and Allied Trades by the World Crafts Council, organisers have announced that Birmingham Jewellery Biennial will take place across the Jewellery Quarter and wider city centre throughout May 2027. 

Dedicated to the art, innovation and heritage of jewellery, Birmingham Jewellery Biennial will bring together sparkling exhibitions, show-stopping installations and special events in the month-long celebration of British and international craft and design.

Set against the backdrop of Birmingham’s centuries-long reputation of producing some of the world’s most well-known pieces, visitors will be able to learn the rich history of jewellery making, discover and buy new pieces and even design their own, in the same place that produced The FA Cup, Wimbledon trophies, The Queen’s Birthday Honours medals and Beyonce’s diamond-encrusted stilettos. 

Co-founded by Jewellery Quarter Development Trust and Birmingham City University, Birmingham Jewellery Biennial is set to become the UK’s leading festival dedicated to the art, innovation, and heritage of jewellery. Designed to showcase artistic excellence and elite craftsmanship from leading national and international names, alongside up and coming makers, the curated festival is set to attract visitors to the Jewellery Quarter and wider city, from across the globe.

In the months leading up to May 2027, there will be opportunities for creatives and businesses to become part of the celebrations. An initial UK-wide open call will give jewellery artists the chance to feature in a flagship exhibition which will remain in situ throughout the festival, as well as awarding the winners with monetary prizes. Further details will be available via the Birmingham Jewellery Biennial website. 

The concept of the Biennial was part of Birmingham’s successful bid to be recognised as a World Craft City, placing it alongside just eight other European cities and cultural hotspots from around the world including Fabriano in Italy, Jaipur in India and Kyoto in Japan.

Birmingham received the accolade in May 2025 after a bid was submitted by the Jewellery Quarter Development Trust and Birmingham City University and supported by Birmingham City Council and the Goldsmiths Company. Following a rigorous judging process, including an international visit from an esteemed panel, Birmingham was awarded World Craft City status for displaying exceptional craft heritage, a strong maker community, and a clear commitment to developing craft into the future.

Alex Nicholson Evans, Festival Director and City Curator, said:

We are thrilled that, one year on from receiving World Craft City status, we are finally able to announce that Birmingham Jewellery Biennial is becoming a reality. We have some extremely exciting plans in the works for this much anticipated showcase of design and craftsmanship. I have no doubts that this will be a major new cultural event for the country, putting a spotlight on the incredible creative talent we have here in the UK, and there is no better home for it than the Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham.

David Mba, Vice Chancellor at Birmingham City University, said:

It feels very poignant to be announcing Birmingham Jewellery Biennial today. Being part of the bid to have Birmingham recognised was an incredibly proud moment for us and our world-renowned School of Jewellery. We’re delighted to be co-founding the Biennial, to bring our plans to life. We wanted to put Birmingham’s jewellery-making talents on an international platform and have big ambitions to ensure that the Biennial is a key event on the jewellery industry’s calendar.

Ben, Chief Executive of The National Association of Jewellers said:

The jewellery industry is a proud and vital part of the UK’s cultural and creative landscape – rich in heritage, driven by innovation, and defined by exceptional skill. This national festival is not about a glimpse behind the scenes; it is a full celebration and recognition of the people and businesses behind the work – those who design, make, and craft pieces that mark life’s most meaningful moments. From jewellery and silverware to watches and allied crafts, it shines a light on the creativity, craftsmanship, and enduring value our industry brings to society.

Birmingham Jewellery Biennial will take place across Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter and the wider city from 1-31^st May 2027. Stay up to date by joining the mailing list at www.birminghamjewellerybiennial.com.