Crowds gathered at No.1 Church Street in Hartlepool for the launch of this year’s Degree Show.

Students, families, friends, staff and invited guests attended the packed opening night at the School’s degree-level campus, celebrating the creative talents of the graduating class of 2026.

Now open to the public until Friday 5 June, the extensive showcase highlights the final major projects of graduating students across the School’s visual arts and stage and screen degree programmes.

Displays throughout the Church Street campus include fine art, photography, textiles, costume design, illustration, animation, graphic design, film, production and set design, model making and visual effects, alongside fashion collections and collaborative creative projects developed during the students’ final year of study.

The Degree Show forms part of a wider celebration of graduate achievement across The Northern School of Art, offering visitors the opportunity to experience the work of the next generation of creative talent preparing to enter the industry.

Graduating students from the BA (Hons) Acting for Stage and Screen and BA (Hons) Film, TV and Theatre Production programmes also presented their end-of-year showcases earlier this month at ARC Stockton Arts Centre.

Packed audiences enjoyed the acting students’ production of The Courage Within by Becci Sharrock, a kaleidoscopic piece exploring both small and large acts of courage in everyday life while shining a light on the sometimes hidden battles people face. The production was a new co-commission between ARC and The Northern School of Art, written specifically for the students’ final showcase, with film, TV and theatre production students providing technical support.

Meanwhile, graduating film and TV students showcased their work for appreciate audiences at The Northern Film Festival at ARC, where three original productions, INT. MURDER SCENE. NIGHT, Soon To Be Dead and Agua Mole, were screened.

Dr Martin Raby, Principal of The Northern School of Art, said: “The Degree Show, acting showcase and Northern Film Festival are always among the highlights of the academic year because they give our students the opportunity to present their work in a professional and public setting.

“The creativity, ambition and originality on display throughout this year’s exhibitions and showcases is exceptional and reflects the inspirational talent of our graduating students.”

Before the Degree Show opened to the public, a series of awards recognising academic achievement, creative excellence and innovation were presented to graduating students by Dr Raby and the Operations Director of North East Screen and The Northern School of Art Governor, Gayle Woodruffe.

BA (Hons) Film, TV & Theatre Production student Stuart Hunter received the Gavin Murphy Achievement Award (Film Student of the Year Award 2026). “It was a lovely surprise and a wonderful way to celebrate the culmination of my degree,” Stuart said. “It is always an honour to have my efforts recognised. I put everything I could into my degree.”

Final-year Textiles and Surface Design student Sophie Ridsdale received The Gary Pearson Award for Breaking Boundaries and said: “Upon receiving the award, I was so emotional, excited and proud. It all came to me suddenly.”

BA (Hons) Fine Art student Olivia Breckon, who was awarded the Barbara Hackwood Prize for Outstanding Creative Development, commented: “I felt emotional about winning the award due to the amount I’ve pushed myself throughout my degree and seeing that my hard work has been recognised is amazing.”

Ysabella Caddy received the Norman Austick Gold Award for Outstanding Commitment to the BA (Hons) Modelmaking & Visual FX programme and  reflected: “I was happy because it felt like I had been recognised for my work and dedication to the course”

The Northern School of Art Degree Show takes place at 1 Church Street, Hartlepool TS24 7DR, until Friday 5 June 2026. Opening times are as follows:

• Monday to Thursday: 10am–7pm
• Friday and Saturday: 10am–4pm
• Sunday: Closed

Find out more about The Northern School of Art’s specialist creative BA (Hons) degree courses which combine expert teaching, high contact time and career-focused support HERE