Ekow Eshun has been named curator of the 10th edition of the British Art Show, the UK's largest recurring contemporary art exhibition. The show will open in Coventry in September 2026 and travel to four other cities—Swansea, Bristol, Sheffield, and Newcastle/Gateshead—until March 2028. Eshun, former director of the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London and curator of the acclaimed exhibition *In the Black Fantastic* at the Hayward Gallery, will select artists and works over the next year, with new commissions expected.
The appointment matters because the British Art Show is a major platform for contemporary art in the UK, drawing significant public engagement—the last edition attracted around 40% first-time visitors to local art spaces. Eshun's curatorial vision, focused on artists whose practices speak to the present moment, could shape the conversation around British art for the next five years. The show's touring model also brings contemporary art to regional venues, supporting local audiences and institutions beyond London.