A landmark one-off exhibition is to be held at the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists Gallery to celebrate a unique collaboration between the RBSA and Birmingham Royal Ballet.

Taking place in February 2026, Drawn To Dance: The Figure In Motion, will celebrate these two historic institutions and the collaboration between them. Visitors to the exhibition will be able to view work by the RBSA Membership, guest artworks from John Macfarlane, the renowned designer responsible for the set and costumes for BRB productions of The Nutcracker and Cinderella, backstage photographs taken by BRB Principal Dancer, Lachlan Monaghan ARBSA, artworks by Birmingham Royal Ballet dancers, and classical ballet costumes and rarely seen items on loan from Birmingham Royal Ballet.

With exclusive sessions arranged by RBSA Member Hannah Northam and RBSA Associate Lachlan Monaghan, the RBSA Membership was invited to study the dancers as they worked, observing a series of rehearsals. Artists working in all disciplines, both 2D and 3D, attended the sessions, creating collections of preparatory sketches and photographs to take back to the studio. This source material will be on display in the Gallery, alongside the developed artworks which they informed, giving visitors both an understanding of the artists’ process and a glimpse of the backstage world of the ballet.

The exhibition runs from Tuesday 10 February – Saturday 21 February and is free admission.