Degree Show Festival - Nottingham Trent University

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NTU Art and Design Degree Shows Festival

Nottingham Trent University is an internationally renowned provider of art and design education, dating from 1843. As we celebrate our 170th year, over 1,300 Art and Design students will be showcasing their work in a festival of celebration.

Our annual degree shows are a highlight in the University's calendar and the culmination of much hard work and commitment from our Art and Design students. They give the University a chance to showcase the original, innovative and inspiring work that is being produced within the School of Art & Design, and School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment at undergraduate level.

During the shows, our students exhibit both locally and nationally, taking part in catwalk shows and festivals around the city of Nottingham, presenting comprehensive exhibitions at the University, and having a presence at a range of prominent and prestigious London shows.

Nottingham is proud of its rich, creative heritage and we invite you to join our celebrations by viewing the work of our graduating students.

We have a host of exhibitions, shows, and other activities for the general public to enjoy. Take a look through our website pages and we look forward to seeing you during the festival!

170 Years of Art and Design

Our School of Art & Design is one of the most established in the UK, with educational roots dating back to 1843 when the Nottingham Government School of Design was founded, and from which the current School of Art & Design evolved. It rapidly became the established home of creative talent in the city, with foundations laid in 1863 for the Waverley building on Waverley Street, which is still an intrinsic part of the School and university.

Today, we have a vibrant and proactive creative community within NTU that continues to inspire and influence art and design. Our international reputation for art and design education and the wealth of local heritage in design and creativity is renowned. NTU is pivotal to the cultural and economic growth of Nottingham and we continue to strengthen our global relationships with international brands, companies, partner organisations and professional bodies.

To celebrate our heritage, from October 2013, we will be hosting a number of exciting and ambitious events that will demonstrate how NTU has supported, shaped and influenced industry. We will also share our plans for the future, including how the University will continue to invest in art and design education and maintain our unique standing. Events will celebrate the success of our current students and graduates while, at the same time, we look to raise funds to support the next generation of artists and designers.

If you wish to join our mailing list to be kept informed of the exciting events that we have planned or if you have an interesting story of yours or a relatives time studying art and design at NTU then we’d love to hear from you.

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NTU Art and Design Degree Shows Festival

Download our show guide for a list of our show events

SPECTRUM Photography Festival

Monday 20 May – Monday 3 June
Various locations, Nottingham

The 17th annual Nottingham Trent University photography festival, SPECTRUM will see some 100 BA (Hons) Photography students exhibit their final-year work across various locations in the city of Nottingham, including a showcase exhibition in the University's Bonington building on its City site. The students are responsible for organising, planning, and realising the vision for this inspiring festival of photography.

Fashion Knitwear catwalk shows

Wednesday 22 May, 6 pm and 8 pm

Fashion Design catwalk shows

Thursday 23 May, 6 pm and 8 pm Newton building, City site

View some truly inspirational garments from the UK's next generation of fashion design and knitwear designers at our annual catwalk shows.

Art and Design Degree Shows: Private View

Thursday 30 May, 5 pm – 9 pm Nottingham Trent University, City site

We will be hosting a special preview evening on Thursday 30 May 2013 where guests will have the opportunity to take a sneak preview of the shows; network with hundreds of businesses, creative professionals and university academics; talk to our students about graduate employment; and purchase bespoke student work.

Art and Design Degree Shows: Public View

Friday 31 May – Saturday 8 June Nottingham Trent University, City site

Make your way to the Bonington building to start your tour, but make sure you plan in plenty of time to see all the wonderful work on display!

Art and Design Degree Shows: Community Day

Saturday 1 June, 11 am – 5 pm Nottingham Trent University, City site

Visitors will have the chance to take a tour of some of our facilities; go on an children’s art trail; take part in a number of creative short courses (£10 booking fee); as well as viewing the stunning work on show. Find out more about our community activities hosted by our Schools, Colleges and Community Outreach team.

Creative Short Courses taster sessions

Saturday 1 June, 11 am – 5 pm Nottingham Trent University, City site

We’re hosting a range of special short course taster sessions which are led by expert tutors. Courses include, architectural model making; concept art for game design; contemporary drawing; design with typography; fashion portfolio; glass making; personal styling; and portrait photography. To celebrate the shows, the cost of the sessions are priced at just £10 each.

Art and Design Degree Shows: Portfolio advice sessions and exhibition tours

Monday 3 – Friday 7 June

Are you thinking of applying to further education in art and design and would like some free advice on how to build your portfolio? Our Schools, Colleges and Community Outreach team are hosting special portfolio advice sessions during the shows, which will also include the chance to go on a tour of our shows led by our students.

Nottingham Summer School 2013: creativity, culture, history and heritage

Monday 1 – Friday 19 July Nottingham Trent University, City site

On this creative, informative and unique summer school you will experience a lively academic programme that combines contemporary arts, media and design thinking with the study of British culture, history and heritage.

Courses for 14 – 17-year-olds

Summer Nottingham Trent University, City site

Four-day courses, led by expert tutors, for young creative people. Courses include, new techniques to enhance your portfolio; concept art for game design; fashion design; fashion portfolio; film making; graphic design; photography; and wildlife photography.

Our final-year students, as part of the shows, exhibit at a number of high profile national events.

Our students will be at the below events in 2013.

Graduate Fashion Week

Sunday 2 - Wednesday 5 June
Earls Court 2, Warwick Road, London SW5 9TA
NTU catwalk show: Monday 3 June, 5 pm

A selection of our fashion design and fashion knitwear students will showcase their garments on the runway at Graduate Fashion Week; the world’s leading event for fashion graduates. If you're in industry, why not visit our catwalk show on Monday 3 June?

Our BA (Hons) Fashion Communication and Promotion, BA (Hons) Fashion Management, BA (Hons) Fashion Marketing and Branding, and BA (Hons) International Fashion Business courses will also be exhibiting at Graduate Fashion Week.

Tickets and further information: email or telephone +44(0) 115 848 3778

Free Range

The Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, London, E1 6QL

Our BA (Hons) Photography and BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design courses will once again be exhibiting their work at this international graduate platform.

D&AD New Blood

Old Spitalfields Market, Brushfield Street, Spitalfields, London, E1 6AA

This three-day festival is another highlight in the creative calendar, presenting the work of the very best emerging talent in the UK.

New Designers

Business Design Centre, Islington, London, N1 0QH

Like with many of the London shows NTU exhibits at, New Designers has been a very successful venue for us with many of our students scooping top awards. This year, our Furniture and Product Design; Product Design; Textile Design; Graphic Design; Design for Film and Television; and Decorative Arts will all be exhibiting.

To find out more, please contact us or telephone +44(0) 115 848 8327.