Royal Ulster Academy

Whats Next? …

1. Final Selection is Underway

Final selection for Stage Two of the 145th RUA Annual Exhibition is currently underway.

2. Login to See Your Result

Artists are asked to log in to UK art exhibition submissions on Friday 21st August to see if they have made it through to the 145th Annual Exhibition.

3. Prepare for Handback

If your work has not been selected, handback of unselected work will take place on Sunday 6th September, 10am-4pm.

Any issues regarding collection, please contact us at [email protected]

It is with great sadness that the Royal Ulster Academy marks the death of Senior Academician David Crone.
David was one of Northern Ireland's most respected painters and a valued member of the Academy for many years. His work, insight and contribution to the visual arts have left a lasting legacy.
Our sincere condolences go to David's family, friends and colleagues.
Rest in peace.

The 145th Royal Ulster Academy Annual Exhibition Call for Entries is Now Open.

Artists are invited to submit work for the 145th RUA Annual Exhibition, one of the longest-established open exhibitions of contemporary visual art in Ireland.

Selected works will be exhibited at the Ulster Museum, alongside RUA Members and internationally recognised Artists.

Submissions are open to Artists working across painting, drawing, print, sculpture, photography and other visual media.

Start your submission via .royalulsteracademy.org

Entries close 14th July 2026.

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Opening Hours
Tuesday - Sunday: 10am - 5pm
Closed Mondays

🎄Christmas Holiday Times

🎄24th, 25th, 26th December: Closed

🎄27th and 28th December: Open

🎄29th December: Closed

🎉From 30th December, the Ulster Museum is open as normal, including New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day - 10am-5pm.

✨The last day to see the RUA 144th is Sunday 4th January.

⚪️Collection of work, both for unsold work whereby artists collect as well as buyers:

1. Collection from the Gallery at the Ulster Museum Monday 5th January 2026 - 10am-4pm.

Collection will take place via the Stranmillis Road entrance to the Museum.

A short parking window will be available to assist with loading.

2. Collection from RUA Headquarters
Sunday 25 January 2026 - 10am-3pm.

Alpha House
1-3 Rosemary Street
Belfast, BT1 1QA

Please note: this is NOT the Ulster Museum.

3. Dublin Delivery Option - Saturday 31 January 2026.

Delivery to Dublin is available through
Tom Caldwell Installations.
Phone: +44 7711 716887
Email: [email protected]

This is an independent service and is not provided by the RUA.

If you have any questions, please contact the RUA office for assistance at [email protected]

We were very saddened to hear of the passing of Ruth, a much-loved former member of the RUA team, fondly remembered for her warmth, kindness and generosity of spirit.
Our heartfelt condolences go to Tony, her son Sean, and the wider family circle.
Ruth will be greatly missed and warmly remembered by all who knew her.

Congratulations Eddie Rafferty.

Eddie was awarded the NIAVAC prize for Best in Show by a Member of the Academy.

Eddie is pictured here in front of his award winning work, “Blue Settee”, with Director of the RUA Simon McWilliams and John Scovell from the Ulster Museum.

Niavac

Congratulations Stephanie Hess, recipient of the Hamilton Architects Prize for Sculpture.

Stephanie is pictured with Paul Millar from Hamilton Architects.

“My childhood bookshelf has been a great influence in my life,” she says. “The adventures, hopes and dreams of the little creatures anthropomorphized in the stories of Beatrix Potter, AA Milne, Richard Scarry and Kenneth Grahame, to name but a few, have given me a sense that anything is possible in a world inhabited by animals who sail rafts, bake pies, drive cars, make cups of tea and head off on adventures!”

Stephanie’s bronze sculpture, “By the Tail” can be viewed at the RUA 144th Annual exhibition, Ulster Museum Belfast.

Hamilton Architects