The University of Atypical office and the Atypical Gallery will be closed on Monday 13 and Tuesday 14 July 2026. We will reopen as normal on Wednesday 15 July at 10:00 am.

Some of our favourite quotes from the fantastic novel “All’s Well” by Mona Awad. These lines capture the key themes Awad tackles: pain, invalidation, and hope. We will be hosting a book club in Belfast on Wednesday 22 July at 7:00 pm to discuss the novel. www.ticketsource.com/university-o...

VOLUNTEER WITH US AT BOUNCE FESTIVAL 2026! Are you looking to gain valuable art experience, or know someone who is? If so, we’d love to hear from you. Email us at [email protected]

Last week we celebrated all of the organisations who have taken part in the Arts and Disability Access Awards (ADAA) over recent months, and to congratulate them for their hard work and commitment.

We still have places available on our 4 day summer accessibility programme in all aspects of accessibility. The programme is designed and led by d/Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent artists. It’s for professionals, students and freelancers working in arts, community, cultural, and voluntary sectors

On Wednesday 22 July 2026 we will be hosting our next Atypical Book Club! We will be discussing All’s Well by Mona Awad: a story about chronic pain. Places are free, but please book online buff.ly/WL7sgNM You can also contact us at [email protected].

University of Atypical are delighted to share news about our 2026 Graduate Award recipient from the Belfast School of Art. The artist who was selected for the 2026 Award is Peter Carrington, who graduates from the Fine Art Master’s degree this summer.

From now until August, new hirers of our Ledger Studio get 10% off their booking. We would love to have new artists and organisations in the space, so if you are interested, now is the time to book with us! Email [email protected] or call 028 9023 9450. *T&C’s apply.

We have made the decision to close the Atypical Gallery and office early today to ensure our staff can get home safely. Staff can still be contacted by email during their normal working hours. We plan to reopen as normal tomorrow, Thursday 11 June 2026 at 10:00 am.

We’re offering a special promotion on rehearsal space for artists. You can rent the Ledger Studio for just £10 an hour! If you’re interested please give us an email at [email protected] or call at 02890239450. *T&C’s apply. forms.gle/ELSH7XMwVuBt...

University of Atypical is looking for an enthusiastic and dedicated person to fill the role of Access and Inclusion Coordinator. The application deadline is 4:00 pm on Wednesday 24 June 2026. You can find more information on our website. universityofatypical.org/job-opportun...

The Atypical Gallery will be open for late night art for our 2025 Graduate Award exhibition, Anima, Part 1 by Anna Vidamour. The exhibition will finish on Tuesday 23 June. The gallery is open from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm from Tuesdays to Fridays.

What better way to mark Global Accessibility Awareness Day than to announce the Millennium Forum as the first recipient of our Accessibility Champion award! #PaulHamlynFoundation

Are you a deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent writer wanting to develop your screenwriting skills? Join BBC Writers' Script Essentials drop-in sessions every Thursday at 1pm from 21st May - 25th June. www.bbc.co.uk/writers/oppo...

A reminder that our Atypical Book Club is tomorrow from 7:00 to 8:00 pm. It will take place in the Ledger Studio at University of Atypical, 109-113 Royal Avenue. We’re excited to see you there!

University of Atypical were delighted to support the Bank of Ideas voting day. Louise Carey and Jonathan Mitchell were on hand to handle accessibility requests. This fantastic Belfast City Council project encourages people and organisations to create events to bring to their local communities.

These are some of our favourite quotes from True Biz by Sara Nović, which we are reading for our May Atypical Book Club. The quotes capture the importance of language in relation to oppression and marginalisation.

If you are interested in applying for our Community Engagement Manager role, the deadline is Thursday 14 May at 4:00 pm. This is a part-time role of 32 hours per week for 9-10 months (depending on start date). Information and application form can be found on the Community NI page. buff.ly/cZixgFo

We will be discussing the depiction of Language Deprivation in True Biz by Sara Nović in more detail at our Atypical Book Club on Wednesday 20 May, from 7:00 to 8:00 pm. To get ready, we’ve been doing some research on this and some of the other themes of the book.

University of Atypical has allocated £25,000 as part of Sounds Atypical Two to performers in the music sector who are deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent.

On Wednesday 20 May 2026 we will be hosting our Atypical Book Club! We will be discussing True Biz by Sara Nović (novicsara.bsky.social): a bestseller set in a Deaf school, exploring ASL and Deaf culture. Anyone is welcome to join, particularly if you are d/Deaf, disabled, or neurodivergent.

Our Green Open Call opportunity closes on the 30 April 2026 at 4:00 pm. This is open to visual artists who are d/Deaf, disabled or neurodivergent, based in Northern Ireland. This is funded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. You can find details on our website.

University of Atypical is recruiting! We are looking for a Community Engagement Manager to support our work with new and existing audiences, groups, and partners. This is a part-time fixed-term post (32 hours per week for 9-10 months). Applications close on Thursday 14 May 2026 at 4:00 pm

Edel Murphy UofA CEO attended the Arts Council of NI showcase of Minority Ethnic artists programme at the MAC. Edel commented, “Access to the arts is integral to University of Atypical’s work and we understand how targeted support to address barriers to access are so important.

Recently University of Atypical visited Ulster University to promote how we can support d/Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent artists through awards and funding application access support. Zara had some good chats and we look forward to hearing more from all the artists in the future!

The office and Atypical Gallery will be closed on Friday 3 April and will re-open on Tuesday 7 April at 10:00 am.

A huge thank you to Zejing, who joined the Atypical team on placement from Queen’s University Belfast She supported our Creative Networking events, explored access & inclusion in the arts, and helped analyse audience data. A proactive and positive addition—thank you, Zejing!

16 to 22 March is Sign Language Week! This celebrates the Deaf community as ‘United in Sign’ by a shared language and identity. It also pushes back against the marginalisation of sign languages, and promotes access to signed languages as a matter of rights.

Introducing the next two panelists; Soso Ní Cheallaigh and Linda Fearon. Soso is a Derry/Belfast-based writer and performer creating bold disability-led work across theatre, film, and more. Their debut Variations for Two Disabled Bodies won the COISCÉIM Dance Theatre Award at Dublin Fringe 2025.

Introducing two panelists for our Creative Networking Event on dance, theatre and disability. Dance artist Helen Hall explores perception and untold stories through choreography. Deaf writer, actor and director Paula Clarke is founder of TEAL VISUAL LTD and champions access and inclusion

The office and Atypical Gallery will be closed on Tuesday 17 March and will re-open on Wednesday 18 March.

The Green Open Call opens on Thursday 12 March. We invite visual artists to apply for an exciting Green Open Call Opportunity, for a solo exhibition in the Atypical Gallery, Belfast. universityofatypical.org/green-open-c...

We have a few remaining places in our Lisburn Deaf Awareness workshop with the amazing teacher and actor Paula Clarke. Thursday 12 March from 2:00 until 5:00 pm. ISLAND Arts Centre, Lisburn. Register here, buff.ly/VPediXo email [email protected], or call 028 9023 9450.

Deadline approaching! The Atypical Generation Fund closes on Tuesday 10 March 2026 at 4:00 pm. £1,000 grants for D/deaf, disabled & neurodivergent artists in Northern Ireland. Funding can be used for materials, space hire, mentoring, training, or time to focus on your work. buff.ly/O42RdBN

We still have a few places on our free Deaf Awareness workshop with Paula Clarke this Thursday 5 March from 2:00 until 5:00 pm, at the Ledger Studio. Paula’s engaging and informative sessions are not to be missed!

Creative Networking Event: Dance, Theatre & Performance Tuesday 24 March 2026, 11:00–1:30pm, Ledger Studio, 109–113 Royal Avenue, Belfast Panel with Helen Hall, Linda Fearon, Paula Clarke & Soso niCheallaigh, plus a clip from Tales from the Mother. Coffee, pastries, and networking included.

The Bank of Ideas is reopening for 2026! This is a way for the people of Belfast to propose and collectively decide on local creative projects for our city. This year, ideas should connect to the Fleadh Cheoil theme of 'Celebrating Together'

University of Atypical office and gallery will be closed on Friday 27 February, from 11.30 am.

On International Day of Social Justice, we brought together Shannon Yee, Elly Makem, Sarah Murphy and Ash Jones to discuss art, activism and social justice. Conversations covered authenticity, censorship, disability arts and more. Thanks to all who joined, and to Elly for leading the workshop.

University of Atypical is excited to offer another free Deaf Awareness workshop with Deaf artist, actor, and broadcaster Paula Clarke. This is a great chance for arts workers to learn about Deaf culture and sign language, and make their organisation more inclusive and welcoming.

Meet our panel of artists using creativity to drive social change: Sarah Murphy, Ash Jones, Shannon Yee and Elly Makem. Join us Friday 20 February, 11:00am–1:30pm for coffee, conversation, and insight into their creative process. Book your free spot.

Thank you to everyone who attended our Creative Writing for Mental Wellbeing workshop on Friday with Darlene Corry. We hope you left inspired to write.

Are you thinking of applying for our Atypical Generation Fund but have some questions? Join us for an information session In-person information session: Tuesday 17 February 2026 from 2:30 to 4:00 pm. Online information session: Thursday 19 February 2026 from 6:00 to 7:00 pm. Book your spot

University of Atypical is excited to offer a free Deaf Awareness workshop with Deaf artist, actor, and broadcaster Paula Clarke. This is a great chance for arts workers to learn about Deaf culture and sign language, and make their organisation more inclusive and welcoming.

Atypical Generation Fund is open! £1,000 grants for D/deaf, disabled & neurodivergent artists in Northern Ireland. Applications opens: Monday 2 February 2026 at 12:00 pm Deadline: Tuesday 10 March 2026 at 4:00 pm More information on our website. buff.ly/tsCvV1C

All ready for tomorrow's Volunteer Information Session! Drop in anytime, grab a coffee, enjoy some free goodies and have a chat about volunteering with us, Thursday 29/01, 10:00 am-12:00 pm, Ledger Studio (Ground Floor), 109-113 Royal Avenue, Belfast [email protected] for info

Deadline approaching! Sounds Atypical funding is closing soon. Musicians creating accessible, disabled-led music events in Belfast can apply. £1,000–£5,000 available Access costs supported separately Apply here universityofatypical.org/awards-and-o...

Join us on Fri 20 Feb for our Creative Networking Event marking International Day of Social Justice. Bringing together d/Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent artists to explore arts, activism and disability—representation, art for change, a panel, plus coffee, pastries and networking.

A few places left! Join our Introduction to British Sign Language course, which is led by the always brilliant Paula Clarke. The course is perfect for beginners and anyone curious about BSL and Deaf culture.

Want to support d/Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent artists? Join us for our Volunteer Information Session