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At Arts University Plymouth, Honorary Fellowships are awarded to those who have made a significant contribution to the arts, education or public cultural life, particularly for those who have or have had links to the university or the region.

These prestigious accolades are intended to honour exceptional achievement, and to link these people with the life and work of the university, encouraging them to act as advocates and friends to the institution, as well as contributing to the educational experience of our students.
Honorary Fellowships are awarded annually, during each year’s Graduation ceremony, and Honorary Fellows are invited to speak at the ceremony, inspiring graduands with tales from their own successful careers in the arts.

George Shaw was awarded an Honorary Fellowship at the Arts University Plymouth 2023 Graduation

George Shaw

Dr Penny Hay was awarded an Honorary Fellowship at the Arts University Plymouth 2023 Graduation

Professor Penny Hay

Zowie Broach portrait

Zowie Broach was awarded an Honorary Fellowship in 2022 in recognition of her outstanding contribution to fashion and to fashion design education.

Zowie Broach

Kurt Jackson Portrait

Kurt Jackson was awarded an Honorary Fellowship in 2022 in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the arts, culture and environmentalism.

Kurt Jackson

Bela Tarr was awarded an Honorary Fellowship by Arts University Plymouth in 2021

Renowned filmmaker Béla Tarr was awarded an Honorary Fellowship by Arts University Plymouth in 2021 in recognition of his outstanding artistic contribution to international film-making and education.

Béla Tarr

Pablo Helguera was awarded an Honorary Fellowship by Arts University Plymouth in 2021

In 2021, Arts University Plymouth awarded Pablo Helguera with an Honorary Fellowship in recognition of his outstanding international contribution to the world of socially engaged artistic practice.

Pablo Helguera

Arts University Plymouth awarded an Honorary Fellowship to Anne Barlow in 2020

Anne Barlow was awarded an Honorary Fellowship by Arts University Plymouth in 2020 in recognition of her outstanding contribution to arts and culture.

Anne Barlow

Arts University Plymouth awards Honorary Fellowship to Joanna Arscott in 2020

Jo Arscott was awarded an Honorary Fellowship by Arts University Plymouth in 2020 in recognition of her outstanding contribution to design.

Jo Arscott

Arts University Plymouth Honorary Fellows for 2020 Tim and Chris Britton

Tim & Chris Britton were awarded Honorary Fellowships by Arts University Plymouth in 2020 in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the arts in performance.
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Tim & Chris Britton

Amila Ramovic is awarded an Honorary Fellowship by Arts University Plymouth in 2019

Arts University Plymouth awarded an Honorary Fellowship to Dr Amila Ramović in 2019 in recognition of her significant contribution to the arts, arts education, and cultural leadership, through her courage and resilience in developing the Ars Aevi Museum of Contemporary Art and other art initiatives as a catalyst for creative learning and social justice in post-war Bosnia-Herzegovina.﻿

Dr Amila Ramovic

Clare Twomey receives an Honorary Fellowship from Arts University Plymouth in 2018

Clare Twomey was awarded an Honorary Fellowship from Arts University Plymouth (then Plymouth College of Art) in 2018 in recognition of her outstanding achievement in the arts.

Clare Twomey

Tim Bolton is awarded an Honorary Fellowship by Arts University Plymouth in 2019

Arts University Plymouth awarded an Honorary Fellowship to Tim Bolton in 2019 in recognition of his formative contribution to the development of the institution (then Plymouth College of Art) as a Higher Education Institution, and his exceptional commitments to social justice and widening participation throughout his career.

Tim Bolton

Malcolm Ferris is awarded an Honorary Fellowship by Arts University Plymouth in 2019

Arts University Plymouth awarded an Honorary Fellowship to Malcolm Ferris in 2019 in recognition of his formative contribution to the development of Arts University Plymouth’s curricula and research profile, and for his achievement in establishing Making Futures as home to an internationally-significant, cross-disciplinary community of research and practice in craft and sustainability.

Malcolm Ferris

Mike Westbrook OBE receives an Honorary Fellowship from Arts University Plymouth in 2018

Mike Westbrook was awarded an Honorary Fellowship from Arts University Plymouth in 2018 in recognition of his outstanding achievement in the arts.

Mike Westbrook OBE

Bernard Samuels pictured with former Principal and Emeritus Professor Andrew Brewerton receives an Honorary Fellowship from Arts University Plymouth in 2018

Arts University Plymouth awarded an Honorary Fellowship to Bernard Samuels in 2018 in recognition of his outstanding achievement in social impact of the Arts in Plymouth, and his advocacy for emerging artists.

Bernard Samuels

Suki Dhanda receives an Honorary Fellowship from Arts University Plymouth in 2018

Suki Dhanda photographed by Sarah Packer crop

Suki Dhanda was awarded an Honorary Fellowship from Arts University Plymouth in 2018 in recognition of her outstanding achievement in the arts.

Suki Dhanda

Sir Nicholas Serota being awarded an honorary fellowship by Arts University Plymouth in 2017

Sir Nicholas was awarded an Honorary Fellowship from Arts University Plymouth (then Plymouth College of Art) in 2017 in recognition of his outstanding achievement in cultural leadership and his transformation of public understanding of contemporary art.

Sir Nicholas Serota

Richard Deacon CBE being awarded an honorary fellowship by Arts University Plymouth in 2017

Arts University Plymouth awarded an Honorary Fellowship to Richard Deacon in 2017 in recognition of his outstanding achievement as one of the foremost British sculptors of his generation.﻿

Richard Deacon CBE

Katie Greenyer is awarded an Honorary Fellowship by Arts University Plymouth in 2015

Arts University Plymouth awarded an Honorary Fellowship to Katie Greenyer in 2016 in recognition of her outstanding achievement in the field of fashion design, as well as her passionate advocacy for the role of young people in the design industries worldwide.

Katie Greenyer

Sir John and Lady Frances Sorrell are awarded an Honorary Fellowship by Arts University Plymouth in 2016

Arts University Plymouth awarded an Honorary Fellowship jointly to Sir John and Lady Frances Sorrell in 2016 in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the UK design industries and to social transformation achieved through the work of the Sorrell Foundation.

Sir John Sorrell CBE & Lady Frances Sorrell OBE

Arts University Plymouth 2015 Honorary Fellow Peter Jenkinson OBE

Arts University Plymouth awarded an Honorary Fellowship to Peter Jenkinson OBE in 2015 in recognition of his passionate advocacy and achievements in arts and culture engagements in a global context.

Peter Jenkinson OBE

Arts University Plymouth Honorary Fellow Antoine Leperlier 2014 stands in front of an old building in graduation robes

Arts University Plymouth awarded glass artist Antoine Leperlier an honorary fellowship in 2014, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to contemporary art, and the realm of Pâte-de-verre.

Antoine Leperlier

Toby Gorniak MBE being awarded an honorary fellowship by Arts University Plymouth in 2013

Toby Gorniak MBE is professional street dancer, choreographer, teacher, social entrepreneur and founder of Street Factory Studios in Plymouth. He was awarded an Honorary Fellowship by Arts University Plymouth in 2013.

Toby Gorniak

Louise Tilbury being awarded an honorary fellowship by Arts University Plymouth in 2013

Louise Tilbury was awarded an Honorary Fellowship by Arts University Plymouth (then Plymouth College of Art) in 2013.

Louise Tilbury

Joanne Anning is awarded an honorary fellowship by Arts University Plymouth in 2012

In 2012, Arts University Plymouth awarded Jeremiah's Journey founder Joanne Anning an honorary fellowship in recognition of her commitment to collaborative working and the vital role she has played in supporting young people through traumatic circumstances in Plymouth and the surrounding area.

Joanne Anning

Albert Irvin

Artist Albert Irvin received the university’s inaugural fellowship award in 2012, for outstanding achievement in visual arts practice.

David Mckee Elmer

The work of writer and illustrator David McKee has delighted children all over the world for more than 30 years. Arts University Plymouth awarded David McKee with an honorary fellowship in 2011 in recognition of his lifetime of achievement.

David McKee

Students celebrate with a group photograph at our 2016 Graduation Ceremony

Charles Cross Building at night. Floor to ceiling windows are lit from the inside, allowing passers-by a peer into the Crafts Studios where glassblowing, pottery, jewellery-making and more take place.

Arts University Plymouth is home to over 13,000 square metres of studios and ﻿workshops across four buildings, filled ﻿with professional workspaces and state-of-the-art facilities. Home to our 2,000 strong ﻿community of student artists, designers ﻿and makers, our city-centre campus is ﻿a thriving creative hub of collaboration and ﻿innovation, thinking and making.

Our Campus

Gathered around a printing station, three female students laugh in paint-splatted aprons whilst hand-rolling ink.

Our Schools & Outreach team raise aspirations and awareness of arts education at college and degree study level. From careers fairs to online workshops, and employability talks to portfolio support - find out how we can connect your students with meaningful HE and industry encounters.

Outreach & Schools

Honorary Fellowships are awarded by Arts University Plymouth to those who have made a significant contribution to the arts, education or public cultural life, particularly for those who have or have had links to the university or the region.

Honorary Fellows

YA Website Header 5

Our Saturday and Young Arts Clubs offer weeks of fun, inspiring and challenging activity for young people.

Young Arts

Arts University Plymouth Contemplative Garden 16

At Arts University Plymouth, we recognise sustainability as a core principle in everything we deliver - read all about our sustainable practices and ambitions.

Sustainability

Interiors Course Leader and Senior Lecturer Cathryn Bishop chats to students

'Teaching for our Time’ captures the principles that define Arts University Plymouth's approach and method of teaching.