LATEST NEWS

BA (Hons) Textiles & Surface Design student Sophie Risdale is the recipient of this year's The Gary Pearson Award (For Breaking Boundaries) 2026. This award is presented in memory of Gary Pearson, a student who explored and pushed boundaries, whether personal, technical, visual or conceptual. During his time studying with us, Gary was on a personal journey of self-discovery, and […]

Staff spotlight on our newest addition to our BA (Hons) Games Art degree programme, Lecturer Renwar Othman. Joining us from years of experience working with studios like Double Eleven and Segritude Games before developing his own game art business, Mothlight Studios. Originally from Middlesbrough, Ren pivoted in his career aspirations and studied Concept Art for Video Games in Teesside after serving in the Royal Corps of Signals […]

BA (Hons) Illustration for Commercial Application student Amelie Smith is the recipient of this year's Illustration Achievement Award. This award is given to the student who has shown an exceptional attitude within their practice, commitment to their studies, and a positive influence within the cohort. Lecturers commented, "Amelie is a student who arrived working at a high standard but, through […]

This year, UAL Extended Diploma in Costume Design students embarked on a live brief with cultural heritage site Raby Castle, starting with a research trip to the site and grounds. Raby Castle is one of the most impressive intact castles in the North of England. Built in the 14th century by the powerful Neville family, it has a long history. […]

The recently announced six-figure bequest from the estate of legendary production designer Sir Ken Adam and his wife Lady Letizia Adam, pictured below, for The Northern School of Art's BA (Hons) Set Design for Stage and Screen course will have a lasting impact on future students studying on the School's well-regarded course. Described by Steven Spielberg as ‘the greatest visual […]

BA (Hons) Fine Art student Leoni Dingwall shares this year's prestigious New Graduate Award with fellow student Eva Grinvalde. The award is a post-education professional development opportunity to support North East-based creative graduates from Arts Council National Portfolio Organisations Middlesbrough Art Week and The Auxiliary Project Space. The award aims to support selected graduates from North East institutions with an […]

A-level students collaborated with the National Trust and Ormesby Hall on an exciting new historical exhibition that explores and celebrates the relationship between founder Jim Pennyman and his wife, Ruth Pennyman. The students have created a dynamic display of artwork for the exciting new exhibition, which opened this spring and takes place in multiple rooms of Ormesby Hall. "Ormesby Hall […]

BA (Hons) Production Design for Stage & Screen student Phoebe Lynch is the first gold-prize recipient of a new award for this year: the Norman Austick Award for Outstanding Commitment to the BA (Hons) Production Design for Stage & Screen course. The award is named after and presented by Lecturer Norman Austick, who worked as a lecturer on the programme […]

BA (Hons) Costume Interpretation with Design student Ella Taylor is exhibiting her work at Ormesby Hall as part of their Future Creatives exhibition, following an internship with Preston Park Archive, all whilst studying her BA (Hons) Costume Interpretation with Design degree last year. Ella's role at Preston Park was in their Costume Collection Archive and came through a connection with […]

BA (Hons) Fine Art student Olivia Breckon has received the double honour of winning both The Barbara Hackwood Prize for Outstanding Creative Development and the Principal’s BA (Hons) Dissertation & Report Prize 2026! The Barbara Hackwood Prize for Outstanding Creative Development award recognises the student who has shown the most progress and development during their three academic years with the […]

BA (Hons) Film, TV & Theatre Production alumna Nic Sian, who graduated from our degree programme in 2021, came back to campus to speak to our students about life since graduating and working in the screen industries over the last five years as a camera assistant. Nic Sian has had the exciting opportunity to work on a number of productions […]

Starting university is an exciting new chapter, but it's also completely normal to feel a little nervous. The good news is that the students who are about to graduate have been exactly where you are now – and they've got plenty of advice to help you make the most of your time here. From embracing opportunities to asking for help, […]

Students studying on our UAL Extended Diplomas in Fashion, Textiles and Costume recently visited Bowes Museum to see the highly anticipated Vivienne Westwood: Rebel – Storyteller – Visionary exhibition. Fashion Lecturer Polly Clarkson said the trip "provided a powerful lens through which students could engage with fashion and clothing as both an artistic practice and a vehicle for cultural commentary. […]

UAL Extended Diploma in Photography alumna (2024) Ruby Clarkson is exhibiting her work at The National Portrait Gallery as part of photo project NOW, a collaboration with six universities and the National Portrait Gallery, which will be open to the public to view until September 2026. "The opportunity to have my work displayed in the National Portrait Gallery came across […]

The Northern School of Art awards Foundation Diploma student Theo Sunter this year’s long-running Joe Cole Award for his work Party in Greenwood, a unique hand painted oil on glass, watercolour and pencil animation, which is a culmination of over 248 original paintings inspired by displays of togetherness in communities despite divides and differences.  The Joe Cole Award has been presented […]