COULD a school you know of benefit from a visit to the annual Royal Ulster Academy exhibition now open at the Ulster Museum? Every year there is a very coherent education programme. This year ‘Meet the Artist’ events have been organised for key stage 3 and 4 or A-Level where participants get a tour of works that use the same medium or techniques they are studying, followed by a demonstration and informal discussion with an artist about their work. For AS and A2 A-Level students ‘Sources and Inspiration’ talks will be delivered by a number of academics. It’s an opportunity for students to hear a professional artist talk about their ideas, view original studies of their work and ask questions. School groups of any age led by their own teachers are invited to come and enjoy the exhibitions on Wednesdays and Fridays but are asked to let the Academy know beforehand. If you are interested in any of the programmes email schools@royalulsteracademy.org to register or ask for more information. Saturdays are an opportunity for a guided tour for everyone, including an Irish language tour with Dan Dowling, President of the RUA, in November and at lunchtime on Fridays there are short informal artist talks in the gallery itself, no registration required. The exhibition itself has moved to different galleries which are now accessed via the stairs or lift at the end of the corridor on the right as you enter the building. This offers more space for the art and for the first time there are two dedicated video art viewing spaces. These can be easily missed, looking like large black voids, but worth walking into. There are over 330 pieces on view from members of the RUA as well as selections from an open submission process, which should be demystified somewhat when a new documentary comes out about it soon.
