So What is Little Boro?!

Little Boro is a temporary creative neighbourhood at the heart of Middlesbrough Art Week 2026, transforming Centre Square into a vibrant destination for art, making, performance and participation during the Turner Prize.

Constructed from repurposed shipping containers and animated by a dynamic programme of exhibitions, workshops, installations and public events, Little Boro brings together artists, independent makers, cultural organisations, educators and local communities in a welcoming space that is free to explore throughout the festival.

The programme showcases new commissions, artist-led exhibitions and interactive experiences alongside family activities, creative workshops and opportunities to meet artists and participate in making. From speculative futures and immersive installations to children's programming, artist films, student showcases and community-led projects, Little Boro celebrates the breadth of creative practice taking place across Tees Valley and beyond. Public artworks and interventions extend into Centre Square, creating an open and playful environment that invites visitors to explore, linger and return.

Developed as the civic heart of this year's festival theme, An Island of Neighbours, Little Boro explores how creativity can strengthen communities, encourage participation and reimagine public space. It is a place where artists and audiences come together, where local organisations share ideas alongside international practitioners, and where culture becomes part of everyday life in the town centre.