Situated at the heart of Queen’s University Belfast on the first floor of the Lanyon Building, the Naughton Gallery is one of Northern Ireland’s leading visual arts destinations. Amplifying fresh voices and vital perspectives from around the world, the gallery is a crucial platform for innovative artistic expression. It also serves as a vibrant cultural hub for the local and academic communities to engage with contemporary art in meaningful and thought-provoking ways.

Founded in 2001 and named after its generous benefactors, Martin and Carmel Naughton, the Naughton Gallery was initially established to showcase the University Art Collection. Over time, the gallery’s programme shifted to include a range of exhibitions featuring contemporary and historical works on loan, enriching the cultural tapestry of the institution. Despite this evolution, the permanent Collection continues to be proudly displayed across various University sites, offering a continuous dialogue between the past and present.

With free admission and open seven days per week, the Naughton Gallery welcomes art enthusiasts from across the globe. It has been recognised as one of the leading university galleries in the UK and Ireland, highlighted by accolades including the Times Higher Education Award for Excellence and Innovation in the Arts in 2008 and the CUBO Award for Innovation in Student Experience alongside Queen’s Film Theatre in 2022.

About our programme

The Naughton Gallery presents a dynamic range of solo and group exhibitions showcasing both local and international visual artists from countries including France, Germany, Denmark, India, Japan, South Africa, and the USA . Solo exhibitions have been developed with some of the region’s most esteemed visual artists such as Laura Callaghan, Michael Hanna, Locky Morris, John Rainey, and Jennifer Trouton. Internationally acclaimed artists including Faith Couch, Buck Ellison, Adham Faramawy, HuskMitNavn, Marie Jacotey, Aidan Koch, Sarah Maple, Zanele Muholi, Thenjiwe Niki Nkosi, Paul Pfeiffer, Tom of Finland, Bianca Xunise, and Harumi Yamaguchi have enriched the gallery’s diverse programme.

Since 2017, the gallery has presented a popular Sports exhibition series and garnered significant attention with a major Barbie exhibition in 2024. Collaborations with international publications like Victory Journal and SHUKYU magazine further enhance its prestigious portfolio. The gallery’s extensive programme of talks, screenings, workshops, and special events has been designed to deepen engagement and spark conversation.