This seven‑day festival, developed in partnership with Queen’s Sustainability Team, the Naughton Gallery, Queen’s Film Theatre, the Seamus Heaney Centre, the CaptureLab, Sonorities Festival and academic experts across the region, brings together artists, researchers, students, and the wider public to explore how creativity can illuminate the urgent challenges of our changing planet.

Taking place across the University campus from 15 to 22 April, Reach '26 highlights the powerful connection between artistic practice and sustainability. Through film, photography, music, talks, panel discussions, creative writing, design, and visual art, the festival offers diverse ways to engage with themes such as the climate emergency, biodiversity loss, and environmental resilience.

The festival was officially launched in the Naughton Gallery with the opening of the Avant Gardener exhibition on Thursday 16 April.

Avant Gardener is just one of many events taking place throughout the week. On display in the Naughton Gallery until the end of May, the exhibition brings together local and international artists whose bold, thought-provoking work explores the intersections of art, activism, and sustainability.

• Explore the full programme of Reach '26 events and register for an upcoming event here.
• Find out more about the exhibition Avant Gardener here.