Over the past nine years, Middlesbrough Art Week has become a vital platform for artists working at every stage of their careers. Alongside significant commissions for emerging practitioners from across the North East, the festival has welcomed internationally acclaimed artists including Jeremy Deller, Mike Nelson, Francis Alÿs, Black Audio Film Collective, Karina Smigla-Bobinski, Larry Achiampong, Sky Hopinka and many more, placing regional artists in dialogue with some of the most influential voices in contemporary art.
Artist development sits at the heart of everything the festival does. Through open calls, commissions, professional development, mentoring and partnerships, MAW invests in the long-term health of the region's creative ecology. It provides meaningful paid opportunities for artists while connecting local practice with national and international networks, creating space for experimentation, collaboration and risk-taking.
Moving image has become an increasingly important part of the festival's programme. Artists' film, expanded cinema and audiovisual performance have featured throughout MAW, introducing audiences to cultural screen practices beyond commercial cinema. Recent presentations have included Karrabing Film Collective's Night Fishing with Ancestors, screenings of Tish, celebrating the life of photographer Tish Murtha, and the first public presentation of We Are Making a Film About Mark Fisher before its subsequent screenings at the ICA and FACT. In 2026, this commitment expands further with a dedicated curated artists' moving image programme.
Middlesbrough Art Week has always believed that art is for everyone. Whether through large-scale public installations, artist-led workshops, family programmes, talks or community projects, the festival works to remove the invisible barriers that often surround contemporary art. Projects such as UPROOT, delivered with schools, community leaders and migrant support networks, brought participants together from across Tees Valley, demonstrating the festival's commitment to participation, inclusion and cultural exchange.
In 2025 the festival welcomed over 70 artists across 15 venues, receiving the Best Event/Exhibition award at the North East Culture Awards, while Art Monthly recognised MAW as "a vital contribution to storytelling by underrepresented voices." Today it continues to grow as one of the UK's leading artist-led festivals, building a reputation for ambitious programming that combines internationally significant contemporary art with meaningful local engagement.
The festival is delivered by the artist-led team behind The Auxiliary Project Space alongside an ever-growing network of artists, producers, curators, volunteers and partner organisations. Together they share a commitment to fair work, social justice and the belief that creativity has the power to shape places and strengthen communities. More than a festival, Middlesbrough Art Week is a platform for artists, a meeting place for ideas and an invitation for everyone to play an active role in the cultural life of the town. Rooted in Middlesbrough but connected internationally, it continues to demonstrate how artist-led organisations can transform not only buildings and public spaces, but the way people see their town—and themselves.
