The Camden Schools Art Biennale will return from 14 to 26 July 2026, bringing together schools, artists and cultural organisations from across the borough to celebrate the creativity of Camden’s children and young people.
Led in partnership by Camden Learning, Camden Council and Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London (UAL), the Biennale has become a flagship example of how schools and cultural organisations can work together to enrich learning, develop creative skills and broaden opportunities for young people.
Dame Jane Roberts DBE, Chair of Camden Learning, welcomed the return of the event and highlighted its importance for schools across the borough:
What a fabulous and joyful opportunity to celebrate the creativity of Camden students!
In a borough rich with art, design and creative activity, the Biennale offers brilliant opportunities to deepen the partnership between its schools and creative organisations, opening up all sorts of possibilities for our young people. Not to be missed!
Hosted at the Lethaby Gallery at Central Saint Martins in King’s Cross, the two-week exhibition will showcase hundreds of artworks created by pupils from Early Years through to A level, including sculpture, painting, drawing and film.
The 2026 Biennale builds on the success of the inaugural event in 2024 and expands opportunities for schools to engage with artists and arts organisations. More than 20 artists and creative partners are working directly with schools in the lead-up to the exhibition, supporting curriculum enrichment, creative projects and professional learning for staff.
These partnerships are at the heart of Camden Learning’s commitment to ensuring that all young people can access high-quality creative experiences and benefit from the borough’s unique cultural assets.
Schools that took part in the first Biennale have already seen a lasting impact. Meg Jones, Headteacher at Kingsgate Primary School, said the programme had transformed how pupils viewed themselves and their creative potential.
The Camden Art Biennale has been a phenomenal catalyst for creativity within our school, providing an exciting forum that has truly ignited a passion for the arts among our pupils. They see themselves as artists.
By collaborating directly with professional artists, our staff have gained invaluable insights and a legacy of enhanced skills. This professional growth ensures that the impact of the Biennale will resonate throughout our classrooms, benefiting our pupils and enriching our curriculum for many years to come.
As well as celebrating pupils’ work, the Biennale supports Camden’s wider ambition to strengthen arts education and connect young people with future opportunities in the creative industries.
Councillor Marcus Boyland, Cabinet Member for Best Start for Children and Families, said:
The Camden Schools Art Biennale is a brilliant example of what can happen when every young person is given the chance to be creative and express themselves, whatever their background or identity. With the support of Camden Learning and our fantastic family of schools, it connects children and young people with artists and cultural organisations from across the borough, opening up opportunities to develop valuable skills and real-world insight.
Through this, young people are building confidence, discovering their talents and getting a good sense of the exciting creative careers and pathways open to them right on their doorstep. This is a key part of our Camden STEAM offer, where creativity sits alongside science and technology to inspire the next generation and make sure every child can take part and thrive.
The 2026 programme will also introduce a new 2D sculpture park across the King’s Cross estate, extending the exhibition beyond the gallery and bringing young people’s work beyond the gallery for the first time.
Alongside the exhibition, a free programme of workshops, talks and creative activities will provide opportunities for families, teachers and young people to engage directly with artists and makers. The programme will include hands-on workshops, artist-led sessions and careers events designed to inspire the next generation of creative talent.
Rathna Ramanathan, Provost of Central Saint Martins and Executive Dean of Global Affairs, said the Biennale is rooted in a belief that creativity should be accessible to every young person:
Creativity shapes not only what we make, but how we live.
The Camden Schools Art Biennale begins from that conviction, and from a simple belief: we all have a right to imagine.
Through its exhibition and outreach programme, the Camden Schools Art Biennale continues to demonstrate the power of partnership working across Camden, strengthening connections between schools, cultural organisations, artists, families and communities while championing the value of arts education for every child.
