Ulster University Belfast School of Art (BSoA) has announced an official partnership with the National College of Art and Design (NCAD) in Dublin. The partnership is cemented through signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) uniting two premier institutions on the island of Ireland, and Ireland’s oldest art and design Colleges, with a shared commitment to fostering innovation, knowledge exchange, and creative collaboration.
The MOU, which comes as BSoA celebrates its 175th Anniversary, marks a new chapter for both schools offering students, staff, and alumni the opportunity to come together and join resources to create meaningful exchanges of artistic knowledge and practice.
The collaborative agreement is designed to build upon shared values for creative education and leadership, enhancing cross-border cooperation across campuses and the island of Ireland.
Key areas of collaboration
Both creative schools will come together to explore and develop opportunities for research collaborations; exchanges among staff and students through shared island and international mobilities; the possibility for new joint degrees to build upon our individual expertise and emerging fields of mutual interest; and art and design collaborations, among other activities.
Dr Brian Dixon, Head of the Belfast School of Art:
“We are delighted to be signing the MOU with the National College of Art and Design (NCAD) in Dublin, a move that opens new doors for cross-border creative collaboration within the arts. This agreement brings together our respective strengths, offering fresh perspectives on academic programs, research, and artistic practice through the exchange of ideas across cultures.
“As we celebrate our 175th anniversary under the theme ‘Celebrating Past, Present, Future,’ we will reflect on the contributions of the BSoA since its formation and how it has maintained a connection to its roots, but also look at how it is continuing to build on its legacy today, by working alongside partners beyond our borders. This partnership is a great example of how bright the future looks for art and design education across the island of Ireland.”
Professor Sarah Glennie, Director of NCAD, shares her views on the MOU signing with Belfast School of Art at Ulster University:
“This coming together to explore possibilities for cooperation across research, academic and student exchanges marks a significant moment for an all-island approach to the creative sector, art and design education, and the development of creative leadership across Ireland. We are thrilled to find in Belfast School of Art an institution with shared values around diversity and inclusion, research and internationalisation, and innovation.”
2024 marks the 175th anniversary of the Belfast School of Art, the oldest school within Ulster University. Established in 1849 as a School of Design to support the development of much-needed skills for Belfast’s growing industrial base in areas such as textile production and shipbuilding. This makes it the oldest provider of design education on the island of Ireland and one of the oldest creative arts schools in the UK.
To celebrate, a packed programme of events including exhibitions, workshops, activities, and lectures will run through October and November.
See the full programme of events and book tickets here: The 175 Programme - Belfast School of Art (ulster.ac.uk)
A Snapshot of Upcoming BSoA Events
- Acclaimed international visual artist, filmmaker, cultural organiser, and educator Phil Collins will host the UK and Ireland premiere of Mixtape #1, an unorthodox view of his decades-long work in moving image, in Belfast, the city where he studied his craft before embarking on a distinguished career as a visual artist. He is internationally renowned for a socially engaged practice that addresses the intersections of art, politics and popular culture.
- An exclusive live art performance by Alastair MacLennan, one of the UK’s most significant and prolific performance artists and a founding member of Belfast's Bbeyond Performance Art International.
- A celebration event with the Ulster Museum marking the 50th Anniversary of Joseph Beuys’ visit to Belfast. A significant encounter that led to a strong relationship between Beuys visit and the establishment of the Masters of Fine Art, a prestigious Masters programme. Beuys was influential on social issues, sustainability and the environment and had a lasting legacy on the programme.
- The Chancellor’s address: in Conversation with Colin Davidson– globally-acclaimed artist and University Chancellor will deliver the 175 address. He will reflect on the wider role of the Belfast School of Art in shaping the cultural fabric of the city and on the role of the School in the institution and the value of a creative arts education in the twentieth-first century.
- A keynote address by world-renowned Irish artist and BSoA alumna Alice Maherwill share her reflections on her time on the MFA Fine Art programme and the profound influence Belfast has had on her work. Following on, a broader panel, comprised of MFA alumni through the decades, will then explore the wider impact and legacy of the programme, underscoring its role in fostering a dynamic artistic community, deeply intertwined with the cultural fabric of the region.
- Internationally recognised painter, sculptor and illustrator Oliver Jefferswill also give a keynote, reflecting on his time at BSoA.