Visitors flock to the Middlesbrough campus Summer Show!
Hundreds of visitors packed The Northern School of Art‘s Middlesbrough campus for the opening night of the 2026 Summer Show.
The official launch of the annual exhibition was attended by friends, families, industry professionals and supporters of the School, who gathered at the Newport Road campus to celebrate the achievements of this year’s leavers.
Visitors had the opportunity to explore an impressive and diverse range of work created by students across the School’s creative disciplines, showcasing the talent, innovation and technical skills developed during their studies at the Ofsted Outstanding institution.
The Summer Show, which runs until June 23rd 2026, marks an important milestone for students as they prepare to progress to higher education, employment or careers within the creative industries.
The evening started with a special awards ceremony to recognise outstanding academic and creative achievements from across the School’s courses. Certificates and prizes were presented by Dr Martin Raby OBE, Principal of The Northern School of Art, alongside one of the School’s Governors, Ian Swain.
Following the ceremony visitors toured the extensive exhibition, which features work from the School’s UAL Diploma programmes across three floors.
The exhibition includes Fashion, Photography, Fine Art, Art & Design, Graphic & Digital Design, Illustration & Animation, Textiles & Surface Design, Costume Design, Film & TV production, and Interiors, Architecture & Production Design.
Work from the School’s Foundation Diploma and Access to Higher Education courses is also on show, alongside a dedicated area showcasing the School’s youngest students who attend the weekly term time Saturday Club courses.
Submissions from the finalists of the 2026 Foundation Art Prize are also on display in the Atrium.
Dr Raby, who was awarded an OBE for services to higher education in the recent King’s Birthday Honours, said: “The Summer Show is one of the highlights of the year at our Middlesbrough campus, bringing together the very best of our students’ work and celebrating everything they have achieved during their time with us.
“The quality, originality and ambition on display is exceptional. The exhibition demonstrates not only the creative talent of our students, but also their ability to respond to challenges, develop professional skills and communicate ideas in powerful and engaging ways.
“As they take their next steps into higher education and the creative industries, they do so with the knowledge, confidence and experience to make a meaningful contribution to the cultural and creative life of our region and beyond.”
The Summer Show is now open to the public, with spaces to view the show available to book between 18th – 23rd June. Free tickets can be reserved via the link here
Group tours are also being offered to schools and colleges. To book visit the dedicated online boking page via the link here
An open day for anyone interested in studying creative A-levels or diplomas will also take place on Saturday 20 June from 10am – 2pm. Young creatives will have the opportunity to tour the campus, speak to staff and view the final year exhibition. Places can be booked here
Further information about the range of college-level creative courses on offer at The Northern School of Art’s Middlesbrough campus can be found at www.northernart.ac.uk
