The King's Art Rooms were first established in the late 1960s as studio space for artists-in-residence (notably Michael Craig Martin from 1970-72). The Rooms were originally known as the Art Centre and from the 1970s became a resource for art classes and for students to use. They are found on the second floor of 'A' staircase, which is found through the door on the left just before you enter the student bar (to find this turn left past the Porters’ Lodge as you enter the Front Court).
The Rooms consist of two spaces. The Large Art Room is an empty flexible space with superb views of the Chapel. This is used for exhibitions, workshops, events and life drawing. The Small Art Room is used as a studio. Please note that the Art Rooms are a non-bookable space for exclusive use. Events and sessions can be held in the main exhibition space, while Members of King’s on the Key List at the Porters' Lodge are able to access the studio room whenever they wish to make art, night or day. If you are currently studying or working at King's and are interested in using the Art Rooms for independent or collaborative visual arts work, please contact the King’s College Art Coordinator, Dr Nigel Meager (nrm32@cam.ac.uk). Nigel is a non-resident associate of College and supports Art Rooms' matters with the student Art Rooms' Society. Nigel will add you to the Art Room Key List so you can program your card for access to the Rooms at the Porters Lodge.
For more information about the history of the Art Rooms at King's, please take a look at the notes that Nigel has prepared in the "Downloads" section at the bottom of this page.
There will be workshops and events throughout the year. This will include life drawing, workshops led by professional artists, and related arts events including music, and the spoken word. Emails are sent to all about what's on, so please look out for these as Term progresses. There is also a regular Thursday evening life drawing session for Graduates. Please email Dr Nigel Meager (nrm32@cam.ac.uk) for more information. There is an active Art Rooms' Society. Contact Teddy Graham (rg670@cam.ac.uk) to find out more. If you are a new to studying at King's in October 2024 and would like to make art or find out more about the Art Rooms please email Dr. Nigel Meager (nrm32@cam.ac.uk). The Art Rooms are for everyone at King's whether you are a complete beginner, a keen amateur, or whether you already have a well developed contemporary art practice.
There is the possibility to show art in the main Art Room. As the practice of making and sharing art at King’s reaches across many facets of art, craft and design and College Members work in both contemporary and traditional ways, what may be found on the walls covers all aspects of the visual arts. This is a very broad church indeed. Get in touch with Nigel if you are a Member of King’s and wish to show your own art or have an idea about curating a show. Ideas from students about curating an exhibition are very welcome! The space is in great demand.
Nigel Meager will offer and coordinate support for anyone at King’s whatever his or her experience as an artist may be. Send an email to Nigel (nrm32@cam.ac.uk) to arrange to meet, most probably on-line. There is a very active student Art Rooms Society. Students generate their own events, practical workshops and life drawing sessions. They also coordinate the purchase of art materials via funds from KCSU. Contact Teddy Graham (rg670@cam.ac.uk) for 2024/25, if you are interested in the Art Rooms Society.
The Art Rooms cannot be ‘booked’ for private use. They are a collaborative and shared space and all users work around each other and accommodate each other’s needs. Art materials are shared and there is strong a culture of mutual support and respect.
At the end of Term, the Art Rooms are used by the Mingle team to make props, costumes and other items for the Mingle. At the end of Easter Term the King’s Affair art committee take over the space for King’s Affair making. The Mingle and the Affair are a form of carnival, celebrated through the highly visual nature of many of the previous events. Sometimes other groups ask to use the Rooms to make posters, banners, scenery and other props for a wide range of College and University groups. Just contact Nigel if you would like to do this.
On almost every Thursday evening throughout the year from 8pm - 10pm there is life drawing in the Art Rooms. Graduate Members and Staff of King’s are most welcome to go. There is a small fee for the life model. Please email Nigel Meager (nrm32@cam.ac.uk) for more information.
The Rylands Art Prize is an annual College competition in memory of Dr G.H.W Rylands (known as Dadie Rylands), a former Fellow of the College.
Students and staff at King’s can enter works of visual art in any medium. In recent years entries have included sound installations, video art, paintings in watercolour and oil, drawings, photography, sculptures, knitted artefacts, posters and assemblage art. After the competition, all entries are exhibited in the Large Art Room. The Tutorial Office will send out emails inviting entries for the prize. The deadline is usually towards the end of Lent Term.
