All Shades of Brown Returns in 2026: Midlands’ Leading Conference for Global Ethnic Majority Creatives Takes Centre Stage in Leicester
All Shades of Brown returns for its second edition in February, reclaiming space for people from underrepresented cultural backgrounds in the UK’s creative sector. As the Midlands’ first and only creative industries conference designed for and led by creatives from the global majority, the 2026 gathering promises powerful conversations, regional representation, and vital momentum for change.
All Shades of Brown Opal 22©Lensi Photography-3316.jpg
Spearheaded by Opal22 Arts and Edutainment, the one-day event will be held on 5th February 2026, 10am-5pm, at The Venue, De Montfort University, Leicester. It follows a powerful debut that brought together artists, cultural leaders, and emerging talents from across the region in a space described as “necessary, overdue, and energising.”
“All Shades of Brown exists because the creative landscape has not always made room for everyone,” says Jule McKinnon, Programmes Coordinator at Opal22. “This conference is a direct response to that gap. It’s a space where these voices are prioritised, celebrated, and given the tools to thrive.”
A Vital Platform in a Sector That Doesn’t Reflect Its People
The UK’s creative industries remain starkly unequal. According to Creative PEC and Arts Council England, 83.6% of jobs in the sector are still held by white workers, with Black creatives representing just 2.8%, despite making up over 4% of the population. In cultural sub-sectors like theatre and heritage, the figures are even more imbalanced, with over 90% of workers identifying as white.
For Midlands creatives of colour, the challenges are compounded by geography. With nearly 30% of all UK creative jobs based in London, regional access is limited. This is despite the fact that cities like Leicester (59%), Birmingham (51%), and Nottingham (34%) are among the most ethnically diverse in the UK. In Leicester, the host city, Black, Asian and other ethnic minorities now make up the majority of the population.
Building a Movement, Not Just an Event
The 2026 programme features a dynamic mix of panel discussions, skill-building workshops, and keynote talks designed to support and connect global majority creatives at every stage of their journey. Topics include:
Maintaining cultural and personal authenticity in your practice
Building a sustainable creative career outside major cities
Navigating and challenging systemic exclusion in the Midlands
Funding, stability, and the future of Black and global majority-led creative work
The event will also include a curated exhibition featuring Midlands-based artists, alongside stalls from independent creatives and community organisations. Applications for exhibiting artists, stallholders, volunteers, and partners are now open via the Opal22 website.
“More than a conference, All Shades of Brown is a declaration that global ethnic majority creatives don’t just exist on the edges of the cultural world, they belong at the centre of it” says Tara Munroe, Opal22’s Creative Director. “We’re building something that lasts: a support system, a movement, a shift.”
Tickets & Accessibility
Early bird tickets are now live via Eventbrite. In line with Opal22’s commitment to accessibility, discounted Early Career Creative tickets are available for attendees aged 18–24. The event will be fully accessible, with provisions for disabled access and quiet spaces.
