About Fine Art at Newcastle

About us

Newcastle's reputation as a leading centre for art education dates back to 1838.

It's built on a distinguished history of radical innovation, exceptional facilities, and inspirational teaching from practising artists and researchers.

Today, we offer programmes in Fine Art at undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD level.

Our story

The first School of Art in Newcastle was established in 1838. It subsequently became part of Armstrong College, King's College, and Durham University, before finally becoming part of the newly-established University of Newcastle upon Tyne in 1963.

Our reputation for innovation grew as we awarded the UK's first BA in Fine Art in 1927, then played a key role in art education in the 1950s and 1960s. This led to the development of the course known as Basic Design and the subsequent revolution across art education in the UK.

The Hatton Gallery played a particularly important role in this history. This world-renowned gallery is housed within our department and has one of the most iconic artworks of the 20th century in its collection - the Elterwater Merz Barn- the final work of the German Dadaist Kurt Schwitters

Newcastle is also particularly associated with the development of Pop Art in the UK, as outlined in the essay by Gill Hedley for the exhibition 'Pioneers of Pop', recently held in the Hatton Gallery.

Many distinguished artists have come through Newcastle University and continue to do so, either as students or as teachers. The list includes: