Arts Venues in Belfast

The MAC is a cultural hub; selecting, creating and mixing up music, theatre, dance and art. The world-class venue in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter is home to all kinds of exhibitions, theatre performances, experimental works and endless goings-on. The MAC offers something for all ages and interests. That is why they are jam-packed with diverse and extraordinary things to see and do.

Belfast Exposed is an independent, non-profit organisation and registered charity situated in the Cathedral Quarter, Belfast. Belfast Exposed’s vision is to enrich people’s lives through the power of photography. Celebrating photography’s diversity and creativity, Belfast Exposed works with photographers, artists, academics, communities and business partners to explore photography’s powerful ability to make a meaningful contribution to the world.

Craft NI Gallery, located within Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter at 115 -119 Royal Avenue, shows locally made craft, applied art and design from more than fifty contemporary Northern Irish makers. In the Gallery you will find a carefully curated range of jewellery, ceramics, textiles, hand-blown glass, wood and paper, as well as beautiful one-off and limited-edition decorative pieces. The gallery also has an exhibition space and a varied exhibition programme throughout the year – a great incentive to come visit and see what is new on the art and craft scene in Northern Ireland.

Terry Bradley Art is a permanent gallery space within Belfast’s Victoria Square shopping complex. Like the Bangor Bradley gallery, the Victoria Square gallery has lots to offer art lovers, including framed limited edition prints on paper and canvas, as well as beautiful one off coloured prints, canvases, limited edition signed and numbered Bradley bags, T-Shirts, hoodies and a new range of art furniture. Terry Bradley is one of the most recognisable and collectable artists working in Ireland today.

The Crescent Arts Centre is a vibrant community arts centre and cultural hub in the heart of south Belfast, which provides opportunities for people to meet, be inspired, experience and participate in a wide range of art forms. It is a place where everyone is welcome and where they can experience the power of the arts and develop their creativity as they lead the way in artistic development and entertainment.

Duncairn Centre for Culture and Arts, Belfast’s most beautiful and coolest arts and cultural venue. Located on the Antrim Road in the north of the city, a ten-minute walk from the Cathedral Quarter, The Duncairn Centre offers a wide variety of arts and craft classes, exhibitions and workshops with an emphasis on traditional arts including fiddle making, bog oak carving, painting, willow craft, basket making, fabric and embroidery as well as storytelling and singing classes.

As Northern Ireland’s treasure house of the past and the present, the Ulster Museum is home to a rich collection of art and is free to all visitors. The Ulster Museum’s art collection has some of the finest Irish art found anywhere in the world. The artworks on display highlight the two main strengths of the collection, the 18^th century and the contemporary period. As well as beautiful paintings the Ulster Museum is also home to applied art, a term some people may not be familiar with, some museums call this part of the collection decorative arts or crafts. Sometimes the museum has beautiful semi-permanent exhibitions on display by local and international artists.

The ArtisAnn Gallery, an exciting contemporary art gallery for buying art and viewing exhibitions. The art gallery covers two floors: the ground floor is arranged salon style, with the intention of displaying as many amazing art works as possible, all of which are available to buy on the spot. Upstairs there is the exhibition space, which features a new show every month. All works in the exhibitions are also for sale but cannot be collected/delivered until the exhibition ends.

Belfast Print Workshop print studio located in the Cathedral Quarter Est.1977 welcoming artists in the practice and promotion of printmaking for over 45 years. Belfast Print Workshop (BPW) operates as an atelier studio and gallery– providing high quality printmaking facilities and an ambitious programme of opportunities and training for artists and members of the public.

Pottery decorating is a creative, fun activity that suits all ages and abilities, an activity where the piece you create will remind you of your visit for years to come! The perfect family outing, you’ll be amazed how their handmade sponges make pottery decorating easy and fun, they show you how, and help is always on hand. Sessions last approximately 90minutes, with a wide range of affordably priced items to choose from. Pieces are glazed, and ready to collect within 7 days, but can also be posted out.

A year-round calendar of classes, culture and entertainment worthy of your time and attention. The Arts Centre is well known for a connection with local Northern Irish artists and boasts two excellent galleries. Come along to this season’s previews, meet exhibiting artists over refreshments and be among the first to view and buy their work. Discover the public art and sculpture trail or be a guest on a special arts centre tour to delve into the history, design and architectural elements of the Island complex.

The former Georgian House in Newtownards, now the home of the Arts Centre, was designed by Stratford in 1765 and completed in 1770. Ards Arts Centre houses two galleries, the Georgian Gallery and the Sunburst Gallery, which host temporary solo and group exhibitions by professional local, national and international artists as well as community arts initiatives. Admission to their galleries and exhibitions is free. At Ards Arts Centre they have an extensive programme of creative classes and workshops for both adults and children, with something to suit every interest.