Belfast School of Art

Was established as early as 1849 as the Normal School of Design which lasted only 6 years closing in 1855 due to a lack of government funding and local apathy. It reopened in 1870 under the title of the Government School of Art a banner it carried for 30 years. During this period its students were trained to go out into local industries with emphasis in textiles and architecture. Life drawing classes from the nude were also introduced for the first time for students over 17 years of age. By 1900 the School had merged with the Belfast College of Technology under the leadership of Robert Arthur Dawson and was now known as the Municipal Technical Institute. It so remained until 1930 when it was again renamed as the Municipal College of Technology lasting until 1970. It then became the Belfast School of Art which forms part of Ulster University.

Past alumni and staff include Patrick Campbell, Tom Carr, Olive and Paul Henry, Charles Lamb, John Luke, Fred McWilliam, Colin Middleton, Daniel O'Neill, George McCann, William Scott and Romeo Toogood.