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, 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 twelve to fourteen shows annually (across two gallery spaces), comprising exhibitions by QSS members and external artists selected via an open call. Gallery 1 spans 354m², while Gallery 2 covers 286m². Exhibitions are often complemented by artist talks, tours, performances or workshops. School visits are welcome and can be arranged through our office. We also facilitate an open studios event each year.

FAQs

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

Since our members usually stay with us long-term, we don’t maintain a waiting list for studio spaces. Any available studios, whether for short-term sublets or long-term rentals, will be announced in the news section of our website, on social media, and through our newsletter. To stay informed about upcoming opportunities, be sure to subscribe to our mailing list or follow us online.

How do I exhibit with QSS?

We programme our galleries through an open call and selection process.  All open call opportunities are announced on our website and social media platforms, and through third party organisations such as Visual Artists Ireland and Community Arts Partnership. At these times, we welcome proposals for both solo and group shows, with a typical six-week turnaround between the open call announcement and the submission deadline. Proposals are reviewed by a rotating panel of QSS artists, working across a variety of media.

Tips for applicants based on previous open calls:

1. Visit the gallery (if local): If you’re based in Belfast, we recommend visiting our galleries before preparing your proposal. For those outside the city, we can provide maps and photographs to help you understand the space.

2. Discuss technical needs in advance: If your proposal includes installation-based work that requires suspension, specialised lighting, sound, or equipment, please contact us ahead of your submission to see what is possible. As we rent rather than own our premises, it’s crucial that we remain compliant with lease requirements. Additionally, our gallery spaces are surrounded by artist studios, so we need to ensure access and working conditions are respected.

3. Follow submission guidelines carefully: Be sure to read the open call requirements thoroughly and submit your proposal in the requested format (and by the deadline!). We prefer receiving proposals as a single PDF document, including (i) a 250-word exhibition proposal, (ii) an artistic CV (for group shows, include CVs for all participating artists), (iii) six to eight images of work, and (iv) details on any technical needs.

4. Review AI-generated content: While we have no issue with applicants using AI tools to assist with writing, we strongly encourage you to carefully review the content before submitting. Ensure the text is accurate and, most importantly, that it reflects your voice.

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?

There are several ways to support QSS. Attending exhibitions is a great way to show support for exhibiting artists, with details available in the events section of our website. Studio artists can be supported by following them on social media, accessible through the studio artist section of the site, or by purchasing their artwork from our online shop. Becoming a QSS Patron is another way to help create opportunities for our studio artists, with more information available here.

Meet Our Board

James Fair

Chair

Amanda Coogan

Heather Moorhead

Fiona Rogan

Treasurer

reuben brown

Reuben Brown

Aisling Byrne

Joy Gerrard

Gerard Carson

Tim Millen

Tim Millen

Meet Our Staff

Irene Fitzgerald

Board Secretary

Cathy Scullion

Membership & Development Officer

Emma Quin

Freelance Digital Media Officer

Whether you’re seeking inspiration or eager to learn more about the arts, we invite you to visit our galleries, connect with our artists through our events programme, and most importantly, be part of our story.