Become a member for just £5 per year.

“I joined NRG because of my interest in art and the fact it’s completely unlike any other society at university. Every exhibition is unique and offers the opportunity to meet with likeminded people in an open and relaxed way. I have met so many amazing people through NRG and I look forward to seeing where the gallery goes in the future.”

— Oscar, 2nd year Business and Management

“I’ve seen the development of the Norman Rea Gallery since its beginning as a student-run operation and it never fails to amaze me what the students involved in it manage to pull off in terms of amazing exhibitions and extraordinary events. The amount of creativity and energy is truly inspiring. Not only that, it’s been the launch pad for many students into arts-related careers. The NRG? Just the best!”

— Michael White, Head of History of Art

"I wanted to be involved with the NRG to be a part of a team making an impact on campus. I have always been passionate about art and connecting with the NRG team has given me a creative outlet in the middle of my academic commitments.”

— Nicole Fairey, 1st year Law.

“I got involved with NRG because it was one of the reasons why I wanted to study at York! I got involved because I wanted to learn to be a curator as well as be apart of a society that’s as welcoming as NRG. The NRG allowed me to easily make friends with the committee as well as other members that are on my course and people that are in my year from other colleges. When choosing which society I wanted to join and be committed to in my first year, NRG was easily my top choice as it is a very consistent society that has a variety of socials every month with an incredibly friendly, fun and open minded group of members that I can now relate to as a second family!”

— Mariah, 1st year History of Art Student.

“Initially I was keen to get a hands on experience of what it would be like working in the art world and the Norman Rea - being the only student run gallery in the UK - seemed the perfect place to do that. Once I began participating as a member I quickly realised that teamwork was an extremely vital part of curation and running a gallery space, and that the relationships I made in doing so was really one of the best parts!”

— Frankie, 1st year History of Art Student.

“We both decided to study at the University of York because of the Norman Rea Gallery. It is the only completely student run art gallery in the whole of the UK. Faith instantly saw the gallery as an opportunity to get stuck in with the arts community in York and gain experience in curation in a way that hadn’t been previously available. Senah saw it as a platform to gain confidence and experience in curating while meeting like-minded people.”

— Faith and Senah, 2nd year History of Art Students.

“I first exhibited in Norman Rea Gallery after meeting then curator Brooke Balesi when we worked together at Bold Tendencies, art space home of the infamous pink staircase in Peckham. She was curating an exhibition called ‘Waves’ in aid of Surfers Against Sewage and thought that my colourful perspex mobiles would be a good addition to the show. Almost three years later I was approached by Pearlin Guillon to exhibit with Norman Rea Gallery for their 'TEN’ exhibition celebrating ten years of the gallery through a display of work which has previously been exhibited there. The private view was a really great night with amazing artwork of all media, live music and wine. The gallery is really well run and the exhibitions are always well organised and artwork and artists are respected. And there are plenty of ducks and geese to feed in the pond outside!”

— Florence Goodhand-Tait

“As an artist from the North East currently studying Fine Art, the Norman Rea Gallery has provided me and many others with a fantastic opportunity to display our work. Applying to the Norman Rea's show, Up North, was incredibly important to me as I believe that Fine Art plays a vital role in the North East that is not always often discussed. Up North was a well curated show which displayed some of the best depictions of art in the North and I was incredibly honoured to have been a part of it. My experience of communicating and working with the gallery team was unforgettable due to their incredible dedication to not only running the gallery but making all of their artists feel welcomed and valued. This experience has allowed me to develop as an artist and I am very grateful to the Norman Rea Gallery and its team!”

— Annabel Collins

“It has always been very beneficial working with the Norman Rea Gallery and I have exhibited there twice in mixed exhibitions. 

The best thing is that it is run by students who come from different academic backgrounds. This ensures there is an eclectic mix of exhibitions. The gallery isn’t afraid to tackle serious issues head on but is also respectful of a tradition and context within which they curate exhibitions. The gallery is always looking for something to create it’s own identity- it isn’t slavishly following trends but takes risks and is confident of it’s own vision and judgement. 

The gallery is also a very open gallery in the sense that it will embrace artists known and unknown if they are seen to have the quality and a thought provoking quotient. The gallery is a vital addition to the University campus, complementing the History of Art course where students can cut their curatorial teeth and see art at first hand, alongside the general visual education of students and staff and the wider community. It also provides another venue for contemporary cutting edge Art in York. There is an energy and commitment in the gallery; maybe this is because it isn’t a commercial venture but an exploratory, provoking and stimulating venue.” 

— Simon Crawford