Belfast School of Art at 175

Belfast School of Art at 175

Celebrating Past, Present, Future as the Creative Heart of the City

The Belfast School of Art was established on 4th December 1849. It was initially founded as School of Design to support the needs of the city’s rapidly-expanding manufacturing industries. It is the oldest provider of design education on the island of Ireland as well as being one of the oldest creative arts schools in the UK.

2024 marks its 175th anniversary. To celebrate, the University will host a programme of events, including exhibitions, workshops and lectures, with a focus of activities in late November. Here, we will not only be looking back but also looking forwards, towards the future.

We hope that you’ll be able to join us in the marking this very special milestone!

Featured Events

The 175 Programme

A series of events will be taking place throughout the year

Please follow social media for updates and contact bsoa@ulster.ac.uk with queries on any of the events below.

Tickets will be released through Ulster Events.

Scrub Harder - Gabija Jocyte image
On 20 Nov 2024
Arts and culture
Celebrating the Past - MFA Fine Art image
On 20 Nov 2024
Ulster talks
Portrait Series - Arpita Shah, Modern Muse image
From 17 Oct 2024

Portrait Series - Arpita Shah, Modern Muse  - starting on Thursday 17 October

Thursday 17 October to Saturday 21 December

23 Donegall St, Belfast BT1 2FF

Arts and culture
Antechamber: Mary McIntyre image
From 27 Sep 2024

Antechamber: Mary McIntyre  - starting on Friday 27 September

Friday 27 September to Sunday 26 January

Spotlight Gallery, Ulster Museum

Arts and culture
Free Creative Workshops - F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Studio image
From 01 Oct 2024

Free Creative Workshops - F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Studio  - starting on Tuesday 1 October

Tuesday 1 October to Sunday 1 December

F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Studio

Arts and culture
We are QSS at 40 image
From 26 Sep 2024

We are QSS at 40  - starting on Thursday 26 September

Thursday 26 September to Thursday 12 December

Arts and culture
The Belfast School of Art at 175: Celebrating Past, Present, Future Exhibition image
From 08 Nov 2024
Arts and culture
Researcher-in-Residence image
From 01 Jan 2024

Researcher-in-Residence  - starting on Monday 1 January

Monday 1 January to Wednesday 31 December

10 Waterloo Place, Derry-Londonderry, BT48 6BU

Arts and culture
Brian Connolly Performance image
On 21 Nov 2024
Arts and culture
INTER - WEAN | Alastair MacLennan | Bbeyond image
On 22 Nov 2024
Arts and culture
TADF x 175, Past, Present, Future Fashion Experience image
On 22 Nov 2024

TADF x 175, Past, Present, Future Fashion Experience  - starting on Friday 22 November

Friday 22 November

McConnells Distillery, Crumlin Road Goal, 53-55 Crulin Road, Belfast BT14 6ST

Arts and culture
The 80s: Photographing Britain image
From 25 Nov 2024

The 80s: Photographing Britain  - starting on Monday 25 November

Monday 25 November to Monday 5 May

Tate Britain, Millbank, London SW1P 4RG

Arts and culture
UU Games Festival image
On 29 Nov 2024
Arts and culture
DJ Dave Jackson - Vinyl Vibes image
On 03 Dec 2024

DJ Dave Jackson - Vinyl Vibes  - starting on Tuesday 3 December

Tuesday 3 December

BLACK BOX 18 - 22 HILL STREET, BELFAST, BT1 2LA

Arts and culture
DJ Dave Jackson - Vinyl Vibes at the Black Box image
On 03 Dec 2024

DJ Dave Jackson - Vinyl Vibes at the Black Box  - starting on Tuesday 3 December

Tuesday 3 December

Black Box, 18 - 22 HILL STREET, BELFAST, BT1 2LA

Arts and culture