Fun for families, book lovers, culture and tech fans at The Exchange this autumn

The University of Birmingham has announced its autumn programme of events taking place at The Exchange, with fun for families, book lovers heritage and tech fans.

The autumn programme runs from August-November and includes a range of exhibitions and events at the University’s city centre building, the Exchange, including a new art exhibition, cultural events, writing workshops and fun family days out.

What not to miss

The Exchange’s AI Futures events continues with a new commission from Midland’s based artist, Exodus Crooks. We need 2 tlk explores how we “talk” to each other in the digital age and how technology mines and mimics human behaviour. The free exhibition in the Vaults of The Exchange runs until 2^nd November.

World Homelessness Day on the 10^th of October will focus on the housing crisis in Birmingham. Author and journalist Kier Yates will share personal experiences from her book All the Houses I’ve Ever Lived In: Finding Home in a System that Fails Us, and Professor Peter Kratfl will discuss his research into local strategies to reducing housing insecurity for families.

Join Sampad South Asian Arts and Heritage and the University of Birmingham on 9^th November for Ujala, a day of storytelling, dance, engaging conversations, family-friendly workshops, and culinary tales from India, all delving into the cultural, religious, and spiritual significance of light.

For booklovers

Booktober will see a month-long celebration of creative writing and reading in all its forms including talks, workshops, storytelling, family events and much more.

As part of Booktober, True Voyage is Return will see local writer Philip Holyman, write a brand new 90,000-word novel in The Exchange café. Birmingham and Black Country writers will also have the opportunity to contribute to a new anthology on the theme ‘True Voyage Is Return’ - taken from Ursula K. Le Guin’s iconic sci-fi novel The Dispossessed which celebrates the 50th anniversary of its publication this year.

Haunted Birmingham, in partnership with National Literacy Trust, will be a relaxed evening of spooky tales on 7^th November, to launch a new story writing campaign encouraging people to write scary stories set in Birmingham.

More Booktober events will be announced in September.

For families

Going Underground is a family friendly drop-in session inviting us to look at what lies beneath our feat, using AI. The free event on the 16^th November includes interactive displays and demonstrations of how technology is revolutionising engineering, archaeology and geology.

Join The Exchange for a family heritage open day on the 14^th September, as part of Birmingham Heritage Week. Join in with arts and crafts, storytelling and mini tours of the former Birmingham Municipal Bank. Decorate a giant timeline with help from University of Birmingham historians who will showcase special coins and explore the history of money.

The Booktober family day on 29^th October will give kids a chance to get creative by designing a bookmark inspired by their favourite literary character, and relax in the cozy reading corner to discover new books and revisit old favourites.

What else happens at the Exchange?

Regular heritage tours take visitors through the history of the building, from its beginnings as the headquarters of the Birmingham Municipal Bank to the University’s recent redevelopment and restoration.

The Exchange is the University’s city-centre venue, based in the historic municipal bank in Birmingham’s Centenary Square, with a regular public programme of free exhibitions, events and family-friendly activities exploring vital topics like clean air, adult social care, and AI.

You can find full events listings on the Exchange website. You can also keep up to date on Instagram, by following @exchangebirmingham.