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Exhibitions, Studios, Events

Primary is an artist-led contemporary visual arts organisation. We prioritise creative research, provide studios and development for artists, and run a free public programme of exhibitions and events.

 
A rectangular woven textile in bright pink, yellow and green hangs on a white wall. Symmetrical animal and floral motifs run across the surface, interrupted by horizontal cuts and loose threads that expose the fabric’s layered structure.

Queer Texture

This spring, Queer Texture unfolds as a woven idea, bringing together artists Raisa Kabir (UK), Adam Seid Tahir (SE), Amina Seid Tahir (SE) and Qualeasha Wood (USA), whose practices move between textiles, sculpture, installation and performance. Join us for drinks, food and a live performance at the preview to launch the exhibition.

Black-and-white aerial photograph of the coastline of Grenada from January 1951. Two yellow markers show listening points within the Radio Free Grenada interactive map.

Santiago Mostyn | Natural History (Radio Free Grenada)

Commissioned by Primary, Stockholm-based artist Santiago Mostyn presents his first UK solo project, Natural History (Radio Free Grenada), sharing auditory archives from Revolutionary Grenada (1979–1983) via freegrenada.radio.

Current Projects
Queer Texture
Queer Texture

25 April – 18 July 2026

This spring, Queer Texture unfolds as a woven idea, bringing together artists Raisa Kabir (UK), Adam Seid Tahir (SE), Amina Seid Tahir (SE) and Qualeasha Wood (USA), whose practices move between textiles, sculpture, installation and performance.

Studio A4 | Raisa Kabir
Studio A4 | Raisa Kabir

2 – 31 March 2026

Raisa Kabir’s Studio A4 residency at Primary supports the development of new textile-sculpture works exploring queer hybridity through weaving technologies and material histories.

Santiago Mostyn | Natural History (Radio Free Grenada)
Santiago Mostyn | Natural History (Radio Free Grenada)

Commissioned by Primary, Santiago Mostyn, a Stockholm-based artist, debuts his first solo project in the UK, Natural History (Radio Free Grenada). The aim is to promote the radio website ‘free grenada’ as a legacy through auditory archives of Revolutionary Grenada (1979–1983), serving as a model for imagining how radical forms of pedagogy and political self-determination can emerge in contemporary Britain.

Recent News
2026 Exhibitions Programme

Primary is pleased to announce its 2026 exhibitions programme, shaped by interdependence, reciprocity, and shared futures.

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Open Call - Diasporas Now, UK Tour 2025-26

Diasporas Now, in partnership with the V&A, South London Gallery, Spike Island and Primary, announce an open call for Global Majority artists working in live art for a national tour of commissioned performances under the theme of Macrocosmic Futures.

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Primary awarded RIBA East Midlands Building of the Year

The first stage of Primary’s capital development has been recognised through a RIBA East Midlands Award, as well as further awards for Building, Client and Small Project of the Year.

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Making Primary more accessible 

Over the past four years, we’ve been making changes at Primary to increase accessibility and inclusivity. This is an ongoing journey and in this article we want to share some of the changes and learning that’s been taking place. We’re grateful to everyone who’s helped shape this learning and the work of many disability rights activists and artists who have done so much to shift the conversation on access, disability and neurodiversity over many years.

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Committing to Our Future: Funding Success for Primary

As a very small team comprised of only part-time staff, we look forward to fostering the ‘specialness’ that is Primary and building a shared enquiry with your support.

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We are recruiting for new Trustees

Primary is seeking to recruit several trustees, following the completion of the terms of office of three board members. This is an exciting time to join us following the acquisition of our building and significant investment in capital development.

We are looking for people with diverse lived and personal experiences as well as professional expertise to make a difference to our future.

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Open Call | Researcher / Evaluator

Primary is commissioning a researcher / evaluator to develop a Case for Support to support the organisation’s Artist Development Strategy. The Case for Support will articulate and demonstrate the impact that Primary’s Artist Development Programme has on residents and members as well as artists engaged through our Public Programme and partnership working.

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Job Opportunity | Front of House & Gallery Assistant

Primary is seeking a Front of House & Gallery Assistant to welcome visitors and offer them information and guidance to enrich their experience of Primary’s public programme, which includes exhibitions and events. For full details on the role, personal specification and how to apply please see the application pack.

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Job Opportunity | Associate Curator

This role is for a curator from the global majority. The Associate Curator will be an integral role within the Primary programme team, working collaboratively to shape our work. They will take an active role in the decision-making processes of the organisation, supporting the delivery of our wider programme. The role will be developed based on the successful candidate’s interests and direction. They will lead on the development and delivery of a strand of public programme, with access to a budget of £10K to support this.

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Plant Dye Studio has launched

We are excited to share news of a new artist venture based from Primary. Resident artist Georgina Barney, who developed and maintains Primary dye and pigment garden, has launched Plant Dye Studio!

Through Plant Dye Studio Georgina is hosting a series of workshops and talks focused on learning how to make plant dyes, inks, paints and pigments.

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Also at Primary

We’re proud to host a number of independent galleries, workshops, and small businesses here at Primary. Please click the logos to find out more about their work, events, and opening hours.