What are the opening hours?

Monday 9:30am - 5pm Tuesday 9:30am - 5pm Wednesday 9:30am - 5pm Thursday 9:30am - 5pm Friday 9:30am - 5pm

Royal Ulster Academy

The Royal Ulster Academy is the longest running visual artists organisation in Northern Ireland.

28/09/2026

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Ken Bartley as Honorary Secretary of the Royal Ulster Academy of Arts.

Ken is co-owner of ArtisAnn Gallery, Belfast, and brings extensive experience across the visual arts sector, including work with Digital Arts Studios and the Belfast Visual Arts Forum.

We look forward to working with him in his new role.

Welcome, Ken!!

26/09/2026

The upcoming RUA 145th Annual Exhibition featured in today’s Irish News.

Opening at the Ulster Museum Belfast on Sunday the 18th of October 2026.

This year’s exhibition brings together around 350 works by RUA members, invited and emerging artists, and artists selected through our annual Open Submission.

The exhibition will run from 18th October 2026 until 3rd January 2027.

Thank you to The Irish News, who also continue their support for artists through the £1,000 Irish News Prize for the best work from the Open Submission.

https://tinyurl.com/566afman

31/08/2026

We were very sorry to hear of the death of Frank Boyd, Honorary Member of the Royal Ulster Academy.

Frank was a generous supporter of the RUA over many years. His help was often practical as well as encouraging, and he played an important part in helping the Academy find and secure premises at key points in its history.

We are very grateful for the support he gave the Academy and extend our sincere condolences to his wife Rose, also an Honorary Member of the RUA, and to all the Boyd family.

Frank Boyd, 1954–2026

VisualArtsNI

13/08/2026

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]

18/07/2026

With over 160 artists invited from across Ireland including many RUA members.

The Boyle Arts Festival main exhibition at King House runs from 16th July - 3rd August and is curated by Paul McKenna.

14/07/2026

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.

16/05/2026

The 145th RUA Annual Exhibition is Northern Ireland’s longest-established and most prestigious open exhibition of contemporary visual art. Open to all artists working across painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, photography, mixed media, ceramics and craft the RUA Annual Exhibition offers a carefully curated and highly competitive snapshot of current practice, bringing together emerging voices and established artists in a single, landmark exhibition.

Closing date: 14 July 2026.
Submit via OESS — link in bio.

14/03/2026

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.

—

06/01/2026

A huge thank you to all our exhibitors, buyers, sponsors and visitors who have made the RUA 144th Annual Exhibition at the Ulster Museum, Belfast so special.

It’s been an incredible exhibition, and we’re already looking forward to doing it all again this year.

Keep an eye out for our next Open Submission dates, coming soon.

23/12/2025

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]

Address

4B Weavers Court , Belfast , BT12 5GH
Belfast
BT11QA

Opening Hours

Monday	9:30am - 5pm
Tuesday	9:30am - 5pm
Wednesday	9:30am - 5pm
Thursday	9:30am - 5pm
Friday	9:30am - 5pm

Website

http://www.royalulsteracademy.org/

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