arts and cultural affairs

The University makes a significant contribution to the artistic and cultural life of Northern Ireland each year.

The launch of the Academy of Irish Cultural Heritages and the Institute of Ulster-Scots placed the University squarely at the forefront of cultural research.

Teaching and learning in art and design proved yet again the depth and range of the University’s collective creative talent, from fine art to product and multimedia design. Student work was on display across the four campuses, with the public areas used to display both student work and pieces from the University’s Permanent Works of Art Collection.

Lunchtime recitals by music students entertained students, staff and visitors to the Jordanstown campus. The University’s public halls and galleries were used as major venues for touring musical events, including very popular visits by the Ulster Orchestra which performed several major concerts in the Diamond Hall on the Coleraine campus.

The Riverside Theatre, managed jointly by the University in partnership with Coleraine Borough Council, proved again to be the premier theatre venue on the North coast. The Riverside’s eclectic programme of events brought drama, music, pantomime other artistic forms to the public. While the Riverside is a well- established professional venue, its facilities are open to community and amateur groups who put on a number of highly successful shows over the year.

henry davis collection

Following a generous grant from the Garfield Weston Foundation, the University was able to display rarely seen artefacts from its Collections on the Coleraine and Magee campuses.

The funding enabled the purchase of environmentally controlled cabinets which allow the public display of books and manuscripts that need to be preserved in carefully controlled atmospheric conditions.

The cabinets were used to display books bequeathed to the University by Henry Davis (1897-1977). Henry Davis was the managing director of telephone cable manufacturing plants in England and Northern Ireland and began to collect rare books and fine bindings in the 1940s. In 1968 Henry decided to divide his collection, leaving his bindings to the British Museum and his books to the then New University of Ulster as a mark of his enjoyment of his time in Northern Ireland. The Collection comprises nearly 200 books and manuscripts covering the whole history of printing. The University conferred an honorary Doctor of Letters on Henry in 1970 in recognition of his generosity.

If you have any comments on these webpages, please send them to:
online@ulster.ac.uk
Copyright © 2002 University of Ulster