MAC Creative Director awarded an Honorary Doctorate for outstanding contribution to the visual arts
We are delighted to share that our Creative Director, Hugh Mulholland will be awarded an Honorary Doctorate for outstanding contribution to the visual arts this month by Ulster University.
The Times Higher Education University of the Year, will honour the talents and achievements of five inspirational leaders in running, golf, contemporary art, business, and music as it prepares to bestow a series of Honorary Doctorates this winter.
The honourees include runner and two-time Olympian Ciara Mageean and golfer Leona Maguire; music manager of acts including The Rolling Stones and Celine Dion, Joyce Smyth; contemporary art visionary Hugh Mulholland and Darragh McCarthy, Founder & CEO global financial services firm FinTrU.
Hugh, who has been with the MAC since 2012, was the founding director of Context Gallery in Derry~Londonderry. We are proud of the pivotal role he has played in elevating Northern Ireland’s cultural profile by spearheading its first-ever presentations at the Venice Biennale in 2005 and 2007. In his time with the MAC, Hugh has curated exhibitions featuring global icons such as Andy Warhol, Kara Walker and Ron Mueck, while also championing career-defining shows for emerging Irish and UK artists. An advocate for the visual arts, Hugh has left an indelible mark on the cultural landscape of Northern Ireland and beyond, and has this year supported the Belfast School of Art’s 175th Anniversary celebrations as a 175 Ambassador, supporting the recognition of the school as the oldest provider of design education on the island of Ireland
Ahead of the ceremony on 19 December, Hugh said:
"I am delighted to receive this honour from Ulster University. The Belfast School of Art has had a formative influence on my life. It was whilst studying there in the mid 1980's that my love an appreciation for the Visual Arts was fostered and where I was motivated to pursue a career as a Curator. I am passionate about creating opportunities for artists from here to showcase their work to local and international audiences and in bring to Northern Ireland exceptional work by world-renowned artists. I am fortunate as Creative Director at the MAC to be on the doorstep of Ulster University and privileged to witness the talent that continues to flourish in what is a truly special place".
Read more about the full list of Honorary Doctorate recipients here.
