Dance Out (9 May 2026 - 9 August 2026) is an exhibition of paintings, drawings and film that celebrates dance as an everyday human activity, both solitary and social. The RWA itself will shape-shift during the exhibition, with the main daylit galleries hosting a series of dance and dance-related events.

Curated by David Remfry RA and art historian James Russell, ‘Dance Out’ brings together paintings, drawings and film across decades of dance culture – from 20th century London and New York to Bristol’s contemporary nightlife.

‘Dance Out’ features large-scale works by David Remfry RA, who has exhibited his dancefloor watercolours in galleries around the world, and the rarely seen ‘Blue Tent’ by Denzil Forrester, which captures the energy of 1980s Black British nightlife, alongside Carnival-inspired works by Paul Dash and John Lyons, and a premiere from contemporary artist Zoe Spowage. Short films from Tracey Emin RA and Gillian Wearing reflect on the personal and social importance of dance and nightclub culture, and other exhibiting artists include rising star Amy Dury,  Paula Rego and Melanie Manchot who's RWA-commissioned film Night Moves will premiere at the exhibition.

RWA Academician Dorcas Casey has also created a new, large-scale sculptural work, hanging in the dome over the RWA landing, which references Morris dance culture and folklore.

A fully accessible, haptic Beat Blocks dancefloor, which transforms sound frequencies into powerfully felt vibrations, is installed in the RWA’s main gallery and features a curated soundtrack to the exhibition, mixed by DJ d4rling, featuring mixes by Josephine Gyasi and DJ Devolicious.

Full list of artists: Paul Dash, Amy Dury, Dame Tracey Emin DBE RA, Denzil Forrester MBE, John Lyons, Melanie Manchot, Dame Paula Rego DBE RA, David Remfry RA, Zoe Spowage and Gillian Wearing CBE RA, Dorcas Casey RWA

Dance Out reviewed by Ella Heathcote for Epigram