New Art Exchange
New Art Exchange is a contemporary art gallery in Nottingham’s Hyson Green neighbourhood, dedicated to representing artists and communities of Black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds. Founded as a charity in 2003 from the merger of two pioneering arts organisations, it occupies a purpose-built flagship building and operates both as a gallery and a community cultural centre, offering one of England’s most distinctive platforms for diverse contemporary creativity.
At a glance
- Type
- Contemporary art gallery and cultural centre
- Period
- Organisation established 2003; purpose-built gallery opened 2008
- Style
- Contemporary architecture (purpose-built)
- Location
- 39–41 Gregory Boulevard, Hyson Green, Nottingham NG7 6BE, England
- Coordinates
- 52.9660° N, 1.1705° W
- Legal status
- Registered charity
- Focus
- Black, Asian, and minority ethnic artists and communities
Overview
New Art Exchange is a contemporary art gallery in Nottingham’s Hyson Green neighbourhood representing contexts of Black, Asian, and minority ethnic artists and communities. The organisation formed as a charity in 2003 from APNA Arts, created by Parbinder Singh, and EMACA, which educationalist and historian Len Garrison helped to establish. Today it is recognised as one of England’s leading venues for culturally diverse contemporary art, attracting national and international artists to its programme.
History
The organisation emerged from two pioneering Nottingham arts bodies: APNA Arts, founded by Parbinder Singh to support South Asian creative expression, and EMACA (East Midlands African Caribbean Arts), associated with cultural historian Len Garrison. These merged in 2003 to form New Art Exchange, establishing a stronger platform for diverse arts advocacy. The purpose-built gallery building on Gregory Boulevard opened in 2008, designed to reflect the multicultural character of Hyson Green and provide professional exhibition infrastructure previously unavailable in the community.
What you see
The gallery features flexible exhibition spaces hosting a rotating programme of solo and group shows by Black, Asian, and minority ethnic artists at all career stages, from emerging local voices to internationally established names. The building also includes studio spaces, education rooms, and a community café that serves as a gathering point for Hyson Green’s diverse residents. Digital and audio-visual works feature prominently alongside painting, sculpture, photography, and textile-based practices.
Cultural significance
New Art Exchange occupies a unique position in English cultural life as a dedicated institutional platform for artists from communities historically underrepresented in mainstream gallery programming. Located in one of Nottingham’s most ethnically diverse neighbourhoods, it actively bridges professional art practice with community engagement, challenging conventional boundaries between gallery and neighbourhood.
Practical information
- Address
- 39–41 Gregory Boulevard, Hyson Green, Nottingham NG7 6BE
- Opening hours
- Check official website for current opening times and admission details
- Admission
- Free entry to most exhibitions
- Website
- nae.org.uk
Getting there
From Nottingham city centre, take the NET tram to Hyson Green Market stop (approximately 10 minutes from the city centre terminus). Multiple bus routes also serve Gregory Boulevard. By car, Hyson Green is about 1.5 miles north-west of Nottingham city centre; on-street parking is available nearby. Nottingham train station is approximately 3 miles away.