Beyond View: Celebrating Ten Years of Photography at Belfast School of Art

Since opening in 2007 the photography department at Belfast School of Art has produced a thriving community of alumni across Ireland and beyond and built strong connections with institutions and individuals in art and industry. Our international reputation has grown and this year has seen the highest number yet of international students coming here to learn with us. That reputation is based on a unique sensibility developing out of a strong sense of place.

Northern Ireland has a historical and cultural context like few others. Conflict gave us a unique perspective on the role of images in giving - or denying - voice and representation to our stories and experiences. Part of its legacy has been a heightened sense of the significance of our surroundings, everyday lives, histories and land. Through this focused attention we have made work that responds to questions of home, migration, history, gender, war, family, sexuality, land, trauma, community, propaganda and technology.

This sensibility informs our foremost aim as educators: to develop our students’ own voices and sense of authorship over their subject matter. We strive for authenticity and are committed to our ongoing evolution to meet the possibilities and challenges of both our changing medium and the world around us.