Spotlight on Gen Z: Young Artists Take Over Bradford Museum's New Exhibit!

Bradford Industrial Museum in West Yorkshire is inviting young artists aged 16 to 25 to submit their creative works for a new exhibition focused on Gen Z talent. The museum is looking for up to three pieces from each applicant, and the types of art can include drawing, photography, sculpture, or video. The chosen artworks will be displayed at the museum at the end of the year, giving young artists a valuable opportunity to showcase their skills. To be eligible, artists must live, work, or study in the Bradford district. According to a spokesperson from Bradford Museums and Galleries, it has become much harder for art graduates to find opportunities to display their work, making this exhibition especially important for aspiring creatives.

The exhibition, called Z Open 2025, is part of the Young Ambassadors project in Bradford. The deadline for submissions is 28 September. A panel of seven Young Ambassadors, who are selected by Bradford Council to represent the voices of young people in the area, will judge the entries. Fatima Chan, one of the ambassadors, explained that the panel is looking for art that is innovative, original, and positive. The theme for the exhibition is completely open, so artists can submit work on any subject they choose. Sonja Kielty, the museum's volunteer and talent manager, emphasized that the Gen Z age group is a 'cold spot' for museums, meaning that people in this age range are less likely to have opportunities to show their art. She shared that when she graduated from art college 30 years ago, it was much easier to exhibit work and get financial support, but now there are fewer grants and opportunities.

Kielty also pointed out that many secondary schools no longer offer A-level art courses, making it even more important for museums to support young artists. The exhibition will have three prize categories based on age: 16-18, 19-21, and 22-25. Winners will be announced at an event on 7 December, and there will also be a Public's Choice Award revealed on 25 January 2026. Bradford's Cartwright Hall Art Gallery will host the Turner Prize for the first time from September to February, and the Gen Z exhibition is described as a 'mini version' of that event. Kielty hopes that museums and galleries will become places where young people feel welcome, safe, and inspired, and that these opportunities will help them in their future careers.

The museum encourages people in Yorkshire to share ideas for stories they want covered. Bradford Industrial Museum also features other interesting displays, such as a large landscape painting of a Roman-style building, a cartoon picture of a cup of tea, and a traveling cinema lorry called 'the incredible moving cinema. ' By highlighting Gen Z artists, the museum aims to attract more young visitors and show that museums can be supportive spaces for creativity and personal growth.