University of Birmingham is headline sponsor for summer art trail
University of Birmingham has been announced as a headline sponsor for the Bulls in the City art trail, coming to Birmingham this summer.
Birmingham Hospice has partnered with Wild in Art, a global producer of art trails, to create a new, showstopping trail for Birmingham called Bulls in the City live from July 16 to September 14.
Based on the infamous Bullring bull, the trail will see a stampede of 40 fibreglass, larger-than-life bull sculptures descend on the city between July and September, which will then be auctioned off on Thursday 16 October to raise vital funds for the hospice.
The trail will generate a huge buzz throughout Birmingham, supporting local businesses as well as Birmingham Hospice, the city’s primary provider of adult hospice care. The hospice cares for people in the community, in people’s own homes or at its two hospice sites in Selly Park and Erdington.
University of Birmingham is the largest university in the city, part of the prestigious Russell Group. Founded in 1900, it was England’s first civic university and now has a 672-acre campus in Birmingham, as well as a second location in Dubai.
This year, the institution celebrates its 125th anniversary and as part of the celebration, has pledged its civic commitment to Birmingham. This includes a responsibility to enrich the cultural, social, and economic fabric of our city – making the organisation a perfect headline sponsor for Bulls in the City, which will boost footfall and tourism across the area this summer.
Professor Paul Bowen, Feeney Professor of Metallurgy, University of Birmingham said: “The University of Birmingham is proud to support Birmingham Hospice and the Bulls in the City art trail this summer.
“As part of our recently renewed civic commitment to the city in celebration of our 125th anniversary year, the University has pledged to work hand-in-hand with local leaders, organisations, and citizens to enrich our community's cultural, social, and economic fabric so we're delighted to join the herd as a Presenting Partner.
“Our support is made possible by the Queen's Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education, which we received in 2024 for our long-standing, academic-industry research partnership with Rolls-Royce Group plc.”
Rebecca Richards, Bulls in the City project lead, said: “It’s just wonderful to have an historic organisation like University of Birmingham join as a headline sponsor for our trail.
“Bulls in the City will contribute directly to the growth of the local economy this summer, bringing a huge wave of tourism to our city during the trail – University of Birmingham will be a real driver behind this as our Presenting Partner.
“This trail will not only bring enjoyment to local people and those travelling from further afield, but it will raise vital funds for Birmingham Hospice. We are only part funded by the NHS and this year we need to raise £7.2 million to continue our vital services. Support from places like University of Birmingham is greatly appreciated.”
Dan Parrott, vice president, Control Systems at Rolls-Royce, the Learning and Community Programme Sponsor for Bulls in the City, added: “Rolls-Royce and the University of Birmingham have a long standing research and technology partnership training many highly skilled people and delivering exceptional research that has a direct impact on our global business.
“The linkage between the University’s further education and research programmes to Rolls-Royce’s STEM programme to inspire young people in science, technology, engineering and maths is obvious.
“It is great to once again collaborate with the University on Bulls in the City and support the vital work that Birmingham Hospice carry out to improve the quality of life for people living with a life limiting illness.”
The university joins West Midlands Combined Authority as an existing headline sponsor for Bulls in the City.
Other iconic Brummy businesses and organisations have signed up to sponsor a sculpture, including Selfridges, Brindley Place and Paradise, DLA Piper, MHA and Salts Healthcare, as well as local BIDS including Harborne and Central.
Find out more via the website.
