Queen Street Studios is a provider of affordable studios and exhibition space, currently based at The Arches Centre in East Belfast. 

For 40 years we’ve been dedicated to creating a vibrant hub for artists, with the goal of establishing and enhancing public education in the arts within our local community.

Funding from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Belfast City Council ensure our studios remain affordable in relation to artists’ means.

We provide 47 self-contained studios to rent in East Belfast, ranging in size from 147 sq. ft. to 744 sq. ft. We also award a bursary space to a Belfast School of Art graduate each year (12 months free studio provision).

Our Studio Artists

A passion for creating spaces

In addition to providing workspace, we support our studio artist’s career development through:

In-house Exhibitions

We highlight the work of our studio members through solo and group exhibitions.

Targeted Opportunities

We facilitate regular curator visits, offer mentoring to early career artists and provide bursaries/next stage awards through funded programmes.

Income Generation

We help supplement our member’s income through artwork sales and payment of artist fees (talks, workshops, exhibition installations).

Artwork Documentation

Professional photography is provided for each exhibition.

Networking

We encourage our members to socialise and network via peer-critiques, open-studio days and informal get-togethers.

Promotion

Member activities are shared across our website and social media channels.

QSS’ contemporary galleries are some of the largest exhibition spaces in Belfast accessible to emerging/mid-career artists. 

We present ten to twelve shows annually, comprising exhibitions by QSS members and external artists selected via an open call. Exhibitions are often complimented by artist talks, tours, performances or workshops. School visits are welcome and can be arranged through our office. We will also facilitate an open studios event each year.

FAQs

Are there any studios available or can I add my name to a waiting list?

As our members tend to stay with us long term we do not operate a waiting list for studio spaces.  All studio opportunities, be those short-term sublets or longer-term rentals, will be advertised in the news section of our website, on our socials & in our newsletter.  Be sure to sign up to our newsletter or follow us on social media to find out about any potential availability.

How do I exhibit with QSS?

We programme our galleries through an open call and selection process.  We don’t have a set timeframe for when we publish our open calls, however all exhibition opportunities will be advertised in the news section of our website, on our socials & in our newsletter.  

Can I hire QSS for an event/class/workshop

We review event hire on a case-by-case basis, so email us with an overview of how you are hoping to use the space and we will see if we can make it work.  You can send enquiries to [email protected].

How can I support QSS?

You can support QSS in a number of ways. You can support exhibiting artists by attending our exhibitions, details of which can be found in the events section of our website.  You can support our studio artists through following them on their various social media platforms, found in the studio artist section of the website, or by purchasing artwork through our online shop.  You can help QSS create opportunities for our studio artists by becoming a QSS Patron, details of which can be found here.  

Meet Our Board

James Fair

Chair

Majella Clancy

Joy Gerrard

Heather Moorhead

Fiona Rogan

reuben brown

Reuben Brown

Aisling Byrne

Meet Our Staff

Irene Fitzgerald

Board Secretary

Cathy Scullion

Membership & Development Officer

Isabella Koban

Freelance Digital Media Officer

Access

There are good transport links (bus/glider/cycling path) in the vicinity and plenty of shops and cafes.

In addition to the provision of studios, QSS runs two wheelchair accessible galleries, Gallery 01 & Gallery 02, showcasing work by studio members and artists selected through open submission.

Our galleries are located on the second floor of The Arches Centre, accessible via stairs as well as a lift. For entry to the space, please buzz the intercom marked QSS to be let in. On the second floor is an accessible bathroom, located directly next to the lift.

All exhibitions include a printed description of the exhibition typed in size 14 font, which is available at the entry point to each gallery space.

Available studio spaces and gallery opportunities are advertised through our website and social media accounts.

If you have any further queries regarding access, please don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected].

Whether you’re looking for some inspiration, or wishing to learn more about the arts, we invite you to visit our two galleries, engage with our artists, participate in our workshops, and most importantly, be part of our story.