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Arts and culture
The University is a natural focus for arts and culture and we have an extensive arts programme. Our excellent facilities and resources provide a showcase for internationally renowned and distinguished artists as well as local performers. In partnership with the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, we fund a Writers-in-Residence scheme which allows you direct access to outstanding creative practitioners.
The School of Art and Design is a hive of creative activity, with many of its staff recognised as outstanding artists and creators in their own right, whether in painting, textiles, ceramics, or multimedia. Works by staff and students are exhibited at each campus as part of the Permanent Works of Art Collection. There is a winter sale of ceramics, jewellery and other work before Christmas, and a summer end-of-year fashion show.
The Academy for Irish Cultural Heritages is the lead centre for the study of Irish cultures and traditions. Its research and cultural programme extends throughout Ulster and embraces a North/South dimension, as well as developing connections with the Scottish islands and mainland, and the rest of the UK. Furthermore, it seeks alliances with the Irish and Ulster-Scots groups across the globe. The Academy organises a diverse programme of events across the University's campuses including lunchtime seminars and talks by guest speakers.
Facilities at Coleraine
There are two major venues at Coleraine:
The Riverside Theatre – managed in partnership with Coleraine Borough Council – is one of the largest professional theatres in Northern Ireland and won a design award in the year of its completion, and another shortly after for its provision for disabled patrons. It is an established touring venue and has hosted productions from Ireland, Great Britain, Europe and America. The theatre’s annual programme incorporates drama, music recitals, rock bands, contemporary dance, ballet, opera, variety, children’s shows, pantomimes and recordings for television and radio. The Theatre stages student productions on a regular basis, giving you an opportunity to be involved in a professional environment. The Theatre Foyer art gallery hosts regular touring and locally-produced exhibitions.
We support a wide variety of cultural events and Educational Outreach programmes in music and the fine art. Other activities include literary seminars, regular lunchtime concerts, a Writers’ Weekend, film events, poetry readings and numerous Theatre Studies productions. The Ulster Orchestra and the International Choral Festival add to the rich tapestry of the musical life of the campus and celebrate the partnership between the University, Coleraine Borough Council and local arts organizations.
Facilities at Jordanstown
The Assembly Hall is a 1000 seat concert hall. A number of events are staged here through the year, including the very popular Carol Concert. The Heather Clarke Recital Room has hosted lunchtime recitals, which have provided students with an opportunity to perform with some of the leading musicians. The University Choir and guest performers also offer opportunities to hear some best loved and challenging pieces. Regular film screenings for students also take place at the campus.
Facilities at Belfast
There is a varied ongoing events programme throughout the year including exhibitions of staff and student art work, in locations throughout the city while the campus undergoes redevelopment. Highlights of this include the hugely-popular End of Year Show and the Christmas sale of student art work.
The campus is at the heart of the vibrant Cathedral Quarter which is developing as the main cultural quarter in Belfast. The School of Art and Design continually develops its role and contemporary relevance to fit in with new forms of understanding in Northern Ireland, Ireland, and the wider world.
Facilities at Magee
Derry has a famously vibrant social scene and a full programme of music, theatre, art, dance and other cultural events can be enjoyed across a range of venues in the city including the Millennium Theatre complex. Other venues include the Nerve Centre, an exciting major concert venue and a great place to socialise. The University’s recently established Centre for the Creative and Performing Arts in the former Foyle Arts Centre now houses the Drama, Music and Dance departments as well as Art and Design and exciting connections are being explored between computers, entertainment, and performance.
Drama students have their own studio theatre at Foyle, a dance studio, and rehearsal spaces, while their work is also regularly featured at the Millennium Theatre. The Academy for Irish Cultural Heritages is based at Magee, alongside the Institute of Ulster Scots Studies, promoting cultural programmes in Irish and Ulster-Scots heritages, history, literature, folklore, and music.
The Faculty of Arts coordinates a year-round programme of arts, cultural and heritage events. These range from leisure and tourist activities such as walking tours to lunchtime concerts, drama and dance summer schools as well as in-depth conferences and seminars on, for example, culture and identity.