What are we known for, or should be?
We asked over 500 people what Birmingham is known for, culturally and what it could shout about more. Here’s what people told us…
Musical heritage – The birthplace of heavy metal (Black Sabbath, Judas Priest), home to reggae giants like Steel Pulse, and renowned bands like Duran Duran, ELO and UB40 not to mention classical music, Grosvenor Road Studios, the South Asian Record Archive and a lot of grassroots bhangra, jazz, folk, grime… the list goes on.
Literary connections – J.R.R. Tolkien’s inspiration for The Lord of the Rings came from Birmingham landscapes like Moseley Bog and Sarehole Mill. Influential writers like Benjamin Zephaniah, Lee Child and Jonathan Coe also hail from the city, as does Samuel Johnson, whose father ran a bookstall in Birmingham market.
Theatre and dance – Home to Birmingham Royal Ballet, Birmingham Rep, a producing theatre developing new work and the Birmingham Hippodrome, with smaller theatres, performing arts companies and amateur productions offering overall a rich cultural output. These include organisations like The Old Rep, Sonia Sabri, Selina Thompson, Geese Theatre, Sampad, Birmingham Dance Hub, ACE Dance and Music, Stan's Cafe, and MAC.
Visual arts – The Pre-Raphaelite art collection at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery (BMAG) is world-renowned, although currently not exhibited due to budget cuts. Galleries like the Ikon, Barber Institute, and the Contemporary Visual Arts Cluster in Digbeth are hidden gems.
Visual arts – The Pre-Raphaelite art collection at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery (BMAG) is world-renowned, although currently not exhibited due to budget cuts. Galleries like the Ikon, Barber Institute, and the Contemporary Visual Arts Cluster in Digbeth are hidden gems.
Festivals – Birmingham is one of the most diverse cities in the UK, reflected in festivals like Birmingham Mela, Pride, Caribbean Festival, and B-SIDE Hip-Hop Festival. Contributions from South Asian, Caribbean, and other communities shape its rich cultural identity.
Historic crafts – The Jewellery Quarter produces 40% of the UK’s jewellery, yet its cultural and economic value is under-promoted. Birmingham’s industrial heritage includes innovations in design, metalworking, leather goods and art. Known historically as the ‘City of a Thousand Trades’, Birmingham’s legacy of creative innovation and creativity remains underutilised.
Film and media – The city’s film industry is growing, with Peaky Blinders and local productions showcasing its potential and using the incredible heritage streets (and canals!) of the city as a backdrop.
Food and culinary heritage – Famous for the Balti Triangle and a diverse food scene, from Michelin-starred dining to local culinary traditions. Birmingham’s role as a culinary capital is rarely promoted on a national scale.
Green spaces and outdoor culture – As well as our city’s amazing Botanical Gardens, we have 590 parks and open spaces, the most of any city in the UK, including Cannon Hill Park, Sutton Park, and Moseley Bog that provide cultural and recreational opportunities. We also have an amazing canal network and incredible industrial heritage assets. Survey respondents suggested that festivals and events could better use these spaces for cultural promotion.
Credit: Birmingham Museums Trust
