Art Events Across the UK This Summer

1. Royal Academy Summer Exhibition 2026
Until 23 August 2026 | Royal Academy of Arts, London

This legendary open-submission show is one of the best places for artists to see the sheer breadth of contemporary British and international practice in one place. With thousands of works selected from public submissions alongside pieces by Royal Academicians, it’s a fantastic opportunity to study how different artists approach scale, installation, and presentation — and to spot emerging voices alongside household names. Many works are for sale, with proceeds supporting the RA Schools (free tuition for postgraduates). It’s also a great networking spot during the busy summer season.

Book tickets and find out more:
royalacademy.org.uk/exhibition/summer-exhibition-2026

2. Frida: The Making of an Icon
Ongoing until 3 January 2027 | Tate Modern, London

This major exhibition explores how Frida Kahlo became a global cultural phenomenon, featuring her paintings alongside personal artefacts, photographs, and works by artists she has inspired. For artists, it’s a powerful study in autobiographical practice, symbolism, and how personal narrative can resonate far beyond the studio. The show highlights Kahlo’s resilience and bold self-representation — themes that continue to influence generations of makers working with identity, the body, and storytelling.

Book tickets and find out more:
tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/frida-kahlo-the-making-of-an-icon

3. Tracey Emin: A Second Life
Until 31 August 2026 | Tate Modern, London

Tracey Emin’s largest survey to date spans 40 years of raw, confessional work — from early installations and neons to recent paintings and bronzes. Artists visiting will find inspiration in her fearless use of personal experience as material and her evolution across media. The exhibition demonstrates how vulnerability and directness can create lasting impact, offering valuable insights into sustaining a long-term practice rooted in authenticity.

Book tickets and find out more:
tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/tracey-emin

4. Ana Mendieta
From 15 July 2026 until 17 January 2027 | Tate Modern, London

This major retrospective brings together Ana Mendieta’s iconic earth-body works (Silueta series), films, sculptures, and rarely seen early pieces. For artists interested in performance, land art, identity, and the relationship between body and environment, this is essential viewing. Mendieta’s multidisciplinary approach and deep connection to nature continue to resonate strongly with contemporary practitioners exploring themes of displacement, belonging, and ritual.

Book tickets and find out more:
tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/ana-mendieta

5. Richard Dadd: Beyond Bedlam
25 July – 25 October 2026 | Royal Academy of Arts, London

This first major retrospective in over 50 years showcases the intricate, imaginative work of Victorian artist Richard Dadd, created largely during his decades in asylums. Artists will be fascinated by his extraordinary detail, use of memory and imagination under constraint, and how personal adversity shaped a unique visual language. The show offers deep insight into resilience, the power of drawing from inner worlds, and the enduring influence of his fairy-tale and literary-inspired scenes.

Book tickets and find out more:
royalacademy.org.uk/exhibition/richard-dadd

6. Hurvin Anderson
Until late August 2026 | Tate Britain, London

This major survey of British painter Hurvin Anderson explores themes of identity, memory, place, and migration through layered, atmospheric paintings. Artists can learn a lot from his sophisticated handling of surface, colour, and fragmented imagery. It’s an excellent opportunity to study how contemporary painters balance personal narrative with broader cultural and historical references.

Book tickets and find out more:
tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-britain/hurvin-anderson

7. Liverpool Art Fair 2026
Until 26 July 2026 | Royal Liver Building, Liverpool

A vibrant, accessible showcase of work by hundreds of regional artists, with prices starting from as little as £25. For emerging and mid-career artists, it’s a brilliant example of how to present and sell work directly to the public in a welcoming environment. Past editions have drawn tens of thousands of visitors — perfect for observing what resonates with buyers and how artists successfully engage audiences outside traditional gallery settings.

Find out more:
artinliverpool.com/events/liverpool-art-fair-2026

8. Waldmüller: Landscapes
Until 20 September 2026 | National Gallery, London

The first UK exhibition of 19th-century Austrian painter Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller’s luminous landscapes. Artists interested in observational painting, light, and meticulous detail will find plenty to study here. It’s a refreshing reminder of the enduring power of traditional techniques and how careful looking can produce work that feels both timeless and fresh.

Find out more and plan your visit:
nationalgallery.org.uk

9. Gillian Ayres: A Life in Colour
Until 4 October 2026 | The Box, Plymouth

This vibrant retrospective celebrates the bold, expressive abstract paintings of British artist Gillian Ayres across seven decades. Artists will appreciate her fearless use of colour, scale, and gestural mark-making. It’s an inspiring look at sustaining a long, joyful painting practice and the emotional power of pure abstraction.

Find out more:
theboxplymouth.com

10. Backyard Biennial: East
15 July – 6 September 2026 | Whitechapel Gallery and 30+ venues across East London

A free, community-focused summer arts festival featuring exhibitions and projects developed with local partners. For artists, it’s a great model of socially engaged and site-responsive practice. The biennial emphasises accessibility, collaboration, and making art relevant to everyday communities — offering valuable ideas for those interested in public projects, participation, and working outside traditional gallery spaces.

Find out more:
whitechapelgallery.org