145th Royal Ulster Academy Annual Exhibition · Ulster Museum, Belfast

Explore the exhibition through guided tours, artist talks, demonstrations and practical masterclasses. Our programme offers events for the public, teachers and schools, with opportunities to meet artists and discover the ideas and techniques behind their work.

Public tours  ·  Artist Spotlight  ·  Masterclasses  ·  Schools & teachers  ·  Sources & Inspirations  ·  McCord Autumn Lecture

Guided Tours for the Public

Enhance your visit with an introductory guided tour offering an engaging overview of the exhibition. Tours last approximately 40 minutes.

Meet in the gallery on the 5th floor. Booking is not required.

  • Saturday 24 October
    Kim Mawhinney, Senior Curator of Art, National Museums NI · 2.30pm
  • Saturday 31 October
    Karen Daye-Hutchinson RUA · 2.30pm
  • Saturday 7 November
    Amanda Croft, Specialist in 20th Century & Contemporary Art · 2.30pm
  • Saturday 14 November
    Katherine McDonald, Craft NI Director · 2.30pm
  • Saturday 21 November
    Maggie Bowen, RUA Education · 2.30pm
  • Saturday 28 November
    Julian Friers PPRUA · 2.30pm
  • Saturday 5 December
    Peter Richards, President of the RUA · 2.30pm
  • Saturday 5 December
    Dan Dowling PPRUA — Irish language tour · 3.30pm

Artist Spotlight

Join artists for short, informal gallery discussions in front of their work. Talks begin at 12.15pm and last approximately 15 minutes.

Gallery, 5th floor. Drop in; no booking required.

  • Friday 23 October
    Dr Angela Halliday ARUA
  • Friday 30 October
    Anne Marie Robinson
  • Friday 6 November
    Ann Smyth
  • Friday 13 November
    Claire Gibson
  • Friday 20 November
    Jemma Millen
  • Friday 27 November
    Patricia Molloy
  • Friday 4 December
    Stuart Marshall ARUA
  • Friday 11 December
    Barbara Allen RUA

Saturday Masterclasses for the Public

10.00am–4.00pm · Learning Zone, Ground Floor
Fee: £50 per masterclass, payable in advance.
Places are limited to 10 participants per masterclass.

BOOK A PLACE NOW →

Paul Walls RUA — Painting in Acrylic: Using Images from Your Phone

Saturday 7 November

This practical masterclass explores composition, colour, brushwork and techniques for working from digital reference images.

Rosie McGurran RUA — Curioser and Curioser

Saturday 14 November

A still life workshop exploring floral painting and unusual objects in the medium of your choice.

Neal Greig RUA — Painting the Air with Oils

Saturday 21 November

Explore the qualities of light, atmosphere and movement through oil painting.

Colin Watson RUA — Clothed Figure Painting

Saturday 28 November

Develop your observational painting skills through the study of the clothed figure.

Ciaran Gallagher ARUA — Acrylic Portrait Painting from Life

Saturday 5 December

Develop your portrait painting skills through direct observation of a live sitter.

Schools & Teachers

All school visits must be booked through schools@royalulsteracademy.org. The RUA will liaise with the Ulster Museum regarding bookings, lunch space and special access requirements.

Teachers’ Preview

Saturday 24 October · 12 noon
Gallery, 5th floor

A preview tour led by Margaret Bowen. To book, email schools@royalulsteracademy.org.

Meet the Artist

For Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4 and A level school groups · Tuesdays and Fridays, 10.15am–12 noon

Each session begins with a guided tour focusing on works in the artist’s chosen medium and exploring the techniques used in their practice. This is followed by a demonstration and informal discussion with the artist.

  • Tuesday 20 October
    Paul Walls RUA — Art demo in Acrylic
  • Friday 23 October
    Alana Barton ARUA — The Painting Process
  • Tuesday 3 November
    Keith Wilson RUA — Daily Drawing
  • Friday 6 November
    Anushiya Sundaralingam RUA — Build a boat – Tell a story
  • Tuesday 10 November
    Stephen Shaw RUA — Introduction to Watercolour
  • Friday 13 November
    Anushiya Sundaralingam RUA — Build a boat – Tell a story
  • Tuesday 17 November
    Ciaran Gallagher ARUA — Great Artists steal, copying the Masters
  • Friday 20 November
    Cara Gordon RUA — Drawing with Collage and mixed media
  • Tuesday 24 November
    Cara Gordon RUA — Drawing with Collage and mixed media
  • Friday 27 November
    Cara Gordon RUA — Drawing with Collage and mixed media
  • Tuesday 1 December
    Paul Walls RUA — Art demo in Acrylic
  • Friday 4 December
    Anushiya Sundaralingam RUA — Build a boat – Tell a story
  • Tuesday 8 December
    Paul Walls RUA — Art demo in Acrylic
  • Friday 11 December
    Anushiya Sundaralingam RUA — Build a boat – Tell a story

Guided Tours and Workshops for Schools

Primary and post-primary schools can book a guided tour of the exhibition. Tailored tours for special schools are also available. For information and bookings, email schools@royalulsteracademy.org.

Self-Guided School Visits

School groups of all ages are welcome during Ulster Museum opening hours, accompanied by their teachers. Please email schools@royalulsteracademy.org with your proposed date and time.

Sources & Inspirations

For schools and the public · Wednesdays and Thursdays, 11.00am–12.15pm · Lecture Theatre

Professional artists discuss the origins and development of their ideas, share original studies and preparatory work, and answer questions. These sessions give AS and A2 pupils opportunities to share their thoughts and join the discussion.

Public bookings: book at the Ulster Museum reception desk.
School bookings: email schools@royalulsteracademy.org.

  • Wednesday 21 October
    Eddie Rafferty RUA — Location Unknown
  • Thursday 22 October
    Chris Wilson RUA — A personal practice – inspired by landscape
  • Wednesday 4 November
    Karen Daye-Hutchinson ARUA — Finding Your Creative Path
  • Thursday 5 November
    Neal Greig RUA — Where the elements meet
  • Wednesday 11 November
    Stuart Marshall ARUA — Modelling the Past
  • Thursday 12 November
    Alison Lowry ARUA — Glass and its Sculptural possibilities
  • Wednesday 18 November
    Anushiya Sundaralingam RUA — What we carry – migration, memory and belonging
  • Thursday 19 November
    Ciaran Gallagher ARUA — An Artist’s Journey
  • Wednesday 25 November
    Colin Watson RUA — Journeys
  • Thursday 26 November
    Comhghall Casey ARUA — Working from Observation
  • Wednesday 2 December
    Neal Greig RUA — Where the elements meet
  • Thursday 3 December
    Neal Greig RUA — Where the elements meet
  • Thursday 10 December
    Artist to be confirmed

The McCord Autumn Lecture

Shannon Greer: Creative Strategist Working with Some of the World’s Biggest Brands

Saturday 7 November 2026 · 11.00am
Lecture Theatre, Ulster Museum

For programme enquiries, contact info@royalulsteracademy.org.