Culture - Ards and North Down

Culture - Ards and North Down Ards Arts Centre and North Down Museum - Bringing Arts and Heritage to life in Ards and North Down.
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Keep up to date with news, activities and events provided by Ards and North Down Borough Council’s Arts and Heritage Service. Learn more about the work we do in maintaining our local culture and encouraging others to engage with it. We’re passionate about getting the local community involved with our shared cultural legacy, which continues to grow through the talents of new creative professionals.

To inspire ownership of this, we subsequently manage two fantastic venues, where everyone from young children and teens, to adults and senior citizens can experience our cultural offerings in many different ways. Our cultural venues include:

- Ards Arts Centre
- North Down Museum

To encourage community engagement with our local culture, we provide a wide range of services at both locations, including:

-Arts and heritage events and exhibitions
- Opportunities for cultural learning
- Funding opportunities for individuals and groups
- Outreach activity
- Professional development for artists resident in the borough
- Information and publications on the cultural heritage of our borough

www.andculture.org.uk

The Arts and Heritage Service of Ards and North Down Borough Council

www.ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk



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01/09/2026

Enjoy this closer look at “In Search of Light” by which is currently showing in the Georgian Gallery, Ards Arts Centre.

This exhibition translates the intangible phenomenon of light—the force that enables us to see and engage with our environment—into tangible woven textiles. Showcasing work developed throughout the artist’s undergraduate degree and new experimental weaving, Hamilton explores the characteristics of light, both artistically through colour and form, and scientifically.

Exhibition continues until Sat 19 Sept.

📍Ards Arts Centre

🕙 Gallery Opening Hours
Tues - Fri: 10am - 4pm
Sat: 10am - 1pm
Sun & Mon: Closed

For more details visit the link in bio and tap on ‘What’s On’.



🎨 I’ve Heard What You Have to Say An exhibition by RickydrewapiccyFrom 3 - 28 September, visit Bangor Carnegie Library t...
01/09/2026

🎨 I’ve Heard What You Have to Say
An exhibition by Rickydrewapiccy

From 3 - 28 September, visit Bangor Carnegie Library to experience a striking new exhibition by Bangor artist Richard Kerrigan (Rickydrewapiccy).

Inspired by the Storymakers project and curated by Richard Clements, the exhibition features 25 new paintings exploring themes of identity, memory, grief, hope, love and intimacy. Each artwork includes a QR code, allowing visitors to listen to the accompanying story while viewing the exhibition.

📍 Curve Gallery, Bangor Carnegie Library
📅 3 - 28 September
🕘 Free to visit during library opening hours

ℹ️https://aspectsfestival.com/whats-on/ive-heard-what-you-have-say-rickydrewapiccy

Opening Event:
📅 Thursday 3 September
⏰ 6.30pm - 8.30pm
📍 Bangor Carnegie Library

Everyone is welcome to attend this free launch event on Thursday evening. Registration is required.

👉 Register here: https://www.ticketsource.com/andculture/aspects-2026-exhibition-opening-event/2026-09-03/18:30/t-qmardkk



Rickydrewapiccy Libraries in Ards and North Down Libraries NI Visit Ards and North Down

𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐅𝐥𝐚𝐱 𝐭𝐨 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐧: 𝐀 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐔𝐥𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫’𝐬 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐧 📍The Walled Garden Helen's Bay📅 Sunday 27 September ⏰Meet ...
01/09/2026

𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐅𝐥𝐚𝐱 𝐭𝐨 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐧: 𝐀 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐔𝐥𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫’𝐬 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐧

📍The Walled Garden Helen's Bay
📅 Sunday 27 September
⏰Meet 9.55am - 1pm (approx)

This is a brand new experience, released as part of the Ards and North Down Borough Council 2026 programme.

From Flax to Fine Linen is an immersive heritage experience that uncovers the remarkable story of Ulster's linen industry through the lives of the people it transformed. Set within the historic surroundings of The Walled Garden and Old Mill House, Helen's Bay, this unique journey explores the striking contrast between the hardworking men and women who cultivated and spun the flax, and the elegance enjoyed by those who could afford the finished cloth on their dining tables.

Your experience begins beside the flax field where the landscape is brought to life through fascinating stories of flax growing, the harvest and the communities whose livelihoods depended upon it.

From there, step inside the Old Mill House, where you'll discover how flax fibres were transformed into one of the world's most sought after fabrics, experiencing the traditional art of spinning with Christine Casey of Kiri Cottage Crafts, and creating your own embroidered linen handkerchief to take home as a keepsake of your day.
The experience concludes in the beautiful Victorian Glasshouse, where you'll enjoy an elegant afternoon tea accompanied by a complimentary glass of sparkling wine, or a non-alcoholic alternative, a fitting celebration of the refinement and prestige that made Irish linen famous across the globe.

Blending captivating storytelling, hands on activities, authentic heritage settings and warm hospitality.

𝘛𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘴𝘢𝘭𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘸!

Find out more and book here >> https://bit.ly/3TUV58j

Ts and Cs apply

Always be .

Visit Ards and North Down The Walled Garden Helen's Bay

Join us at Ards Arts Centre for an artist talk with Karen Hamilton as she discusses her current exhibition. 'In Search o...
31/08/2026

Join us at Ards Arts Centre for an artist talk with Karen Hamilton as she discusses her current exhibition. 'In Search of Light'.

Hamilton shares the journey of her undergraduate degree, a personal and artistic quest to communicate light through woven textiles.

The artist will discuss her recent collaboration with Dr Jonathan Kennedy, to translate the wavelengths of the visible light spectrum as an accurate scientific representation, and new experimental weavings capturing the fluid energy of light.

ℹ For more info and to book your free space, visit: https://andculture.org.uk/whats-on/artist-talk-karen-hamilton

📍Ards Arts Centre
📅 Thurs 17 Sept
🕙 6.30pm
🎟 Free, please register your attendance

📚Jane Coyle: A Better Locksmith🎭For over 40 years, journalist and theatre critic Jane Coyle has chronicled Northern Irel...
30/08/2026

📚Jane Coyle: A Better Locksmith🎭

For over 40 years, journalist and theatre critic Jane Coyle has chronicled Northern Ireland's theatre scene. Now, her new anthology A Better Locksmith brings together a remarkable collection of reviews, interviews and features spanning 1984 to 2025.

Join Jane and acclaimed theatre director David Grant at Aspects Festival for a conversation about theatre, criticism and cultural change, with special readings from actors Ruairi Conaghan and Caitriona Hinds.

📍 North Down Museum
📅 Thursday 1 October
⏰ 7.30pm
🎟️ £10

Book here: https://aspectsfestival.com/whats-on/jane-coyle-better-locksmith

30/08/2026

🎨 There’s still time to get creative this autumn and learn a new skill in one of our many Creative Classes and Workshops at Ards Arts Centre! But hurry - spaces are filling fast!

There are limited spaces remaining on: Inspiring Sketchbook Drawing, Ards Guitar Circle, Mindful Drawing, Floral Art, Silversmithing, Calligraphy, Drawing Practice, Mosaics, Printmaking, and Learn to Knit.

We will also have a number of one-day workshops including Wellbeing with Clay, Beginners Watercolour, and Large Scale Drawing

🎨 For more information to book visit:
https://andculture.org.uk/classes/listing

Make sure to tag or share with your creative buddy!

Elaine Burke - Artist Jo Hatty Blue Cube Arts Kiri Cottage Crafts

Don't miss the next in our Friday Night Live music series at Ards Arts Centre!Back by popular demand, Wilfie has been de...
29/08/2026

Don't miss the next in our Friday Night Live music series at Ards Arts Centre!

Back by popular demand, Wilfie has been described as an immensely talented songwriter and musician, he has captivated audiences with his soulful acoustic melodies and mesmerising vocals.

Friday Night Lives: sit back, relax, and enjoy the best affordable live music in town!

ℹ For more information and booking, visit: https://andculture.org.uk/whats-on/wilfie-gilbert

📍 Ards Arts Centre
📅 Fri 25 Sept
🕙 8pm
🎟 £14

LIMITED SPACES REMAINING!Do you love to sing? If so, then why not join Ards Community Choir! 🎶The Choir returns to Ards ...
29/08/2026

LIMITED SPACES REMAINING!

Do you love to sing? If so, then why not join Ards Community Choir! 🎶

The Choir returns to Ards Arts Centre this autumn offering a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere for those who love to sing, with no audition and no experience necessary.

Online enrolment is currently open for the next 14 week* term which commences on Monday 7 September.

Singer Diane Holt teaches all the songs by ear, so you do not need to know how to read sheet music. The choir learns a mixture of songs and styles from around the world, and sings in two and three-part harmony.

The choir has performed at various community events and concerts in Ards and elsewhere over the years.

📍 Ards Arts Centre
📆 Mon 7 Sept (for 14 week term)*
⏰ 7.30pm - 9.00pm
🎟 £42 for the term
Tea/coffee provided, however please bring your own travel cup.

Enrolments are for a 14 week term and must be booked in advance of the first class. Bookings CLOSE on Fri 4 Sept at 4pm.

*NB: No choir on Mon 26 Oct

For more information and to enrol online, visit: https://andculture.org.uk/classes/community-choir

📣 Did you attend the Creative Peninsula Twilight Market and Arts Night? If so, we would love to hear your feedback!Pleas...
29/08/2026

📣 Did you attend the Creative Peninsula Twilight Market and Arts Night? If so, we would love to hear your feedback!

Please fill out our short survey and tell us what you thought of the event. Click here for the survey: 👉 https://engage.ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk/crafts/932d736b/

If you leave your email address on the survey, you will be entered into a draw for two complementary tickets to attend TRÚ at Donaghadee Parish Church, on Saturday 24 October, 7pm.

Please enjoy these photos from the event!

Survey will close on Fri 11 Sept.

Thank you to everyone who attended the opening receptions of our exhibitions at Ards Arts Centre on Thursday evening, an...
28/08/2026

Thank you to everyone who attended the opening receptions of our exhibitions at Ards Arts Centre on Thursday evening, and showed support for the artists!

“In Search of Light” by Karen Hamilton, showing in the Georgian Gallery, translates the intangible phenomenon of light—the force that enables us to see and engage with our environment—into tangible woven textiles.

Meanwhile, “Surface Matters” is showing in the Sunburst Gallery. This exhibition, by Claire French explores how both form and surface of a vessel can embody a personal narrative and energy, enabling exploration of human memory and experience. While the surface encompasses artistic expression, it also acts as a canvas extending the narrative within the form.

Exhibitions continue until Sat 19 Sept.

📍Ards Arts Centre

🕙 Gallery Opening Hours
Tues - Fri: 10am - 4pm
Sat: 10am - 1pm
Sun & Mon: Closed

For more details visit: https://andculture.org.uk/visit-us/ards-arts-centre/exhibitions-arts-centre

Visit Ards and North Down www.whatsonni.com
Ards and North Down Borough Council

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Town Hall, Conway Square
Newtownards
BT234NP

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