Nuart Festival Aberdeen 2026
@nuartfestival | @nuartaberdeen
Nuart Plus & Programme Announcement | 7.04.2026
APRIL 22-26 2026
‘Est. in 2011, Nuart Plus is an umbrella term for Nuart’s activities outside of physical art production. It consists of an international research program, a peer reviewed journal and other publications, artist presentations, panel debates, workshops, education programs, film screenings and more. The Plus-series aims to explore and present issues surrounding contemporary street art practice in all its guises, through both entertaining and educational projects and programs. It features contributions from some of the world’s leading street artists alongside academics, authors, researchers, curators, producers, writers and other cultural-sector professionals who are dedicated to exploring issues surrounding new forms of art and activity in public space.
That’s the formal blurb. The reality is that Nuart Plus consists of a loose international collective of feral academics, authors, industry “professionals” and passionate independent researchers who come together at various conferences and symposia throughout the year to support the activities of those creating work illegally on the streets, a vandal’s cultural and academic alibi if you like.’
– Martyn Reed, Nuart Founder and Curator
Nuart PLUS & International Street Art Conference 2026
All events are free
The Plus-series aims to explore and present issues surrounding contemporary street art practice in all its guises, through entertaining and educational projects and programs. It features contributions from some of the world’s leading street artists alongside academics, authors, researchers, curators, producers, writers and other cultural-sector professionals who are dedicated to exploring issues surrounding new forms of art and activity in public space. Below you’ll find an overview of some of this year’s festival programme highlights. The events are in chronological order and include direct links to all the promo material for each event that you can download. Also below is an updated list of Instagram contacts for all artists, speakers and guests. For the full programme please visit our website.
All links for festival events are custom social media tiles to use for promotion and further info.
Nuart 2026 opens with Robert Montgomery and Nuart curator Martyn Reed joining together for their most ambitious project yet. Set in the stunning Art Deco surroundings of the formerly abandoned Bon Accord swimming pool, the 11-meter-long installation sets the tone for this year’s festival, acting as a clarion call for love and empathy towards those less fortunate than ourselves. More Information HERE
At Bon Accord Baths – Opening night APRIL 22 : 20 – 22:00 / Open Daily 23 – 26 : 12 – 18:00
Nuart Plus kicks off with our Double Bill at The Lemon Tree, with former Editor-in-Chief of the world’s leading international art magazine Juxtapoz and current founder and publisher of The Unibrow Evan Pricco in conversation with Festival Artist Robert Montgomery. American Curator, Critic, Writer and Raconteur Carlo McCormick joins us again for what is destined to be as entertaining and inspiring as it is educational with his annual Fireside Chat. Festival artist HICKS is without a doubt one of the culture’s most entertainingly critical voices of recent years, and will round off the night. More Information HERE
APRIL 23 At The Lemon Tree – 20:00 – 23:00
On day 1 of the Street Art Conference, we gather at the historic University of Aberdeen to focus on forms of urban creativity, past and present.
APRIL 24 At The King’s College Conference Centre, University of Aberdeen, King’s College, AB24 3FX – 11 – 17:00
Conference Programme Speakers Bios Speakers Social Media assets
The pub debate is always a highlight, where two teams debate a hot topic in street art culture. There will be drinks, there will be arguments, and there will be a winner. You the audience get to decide.
APRIL 24 Cheerz, 2 Exchange St, Aberdeen AB11 6PH – 21:00 – 23:00
DAY 2: COWDRAY HALL, ABERDEEN ART GALLERY
On Day 2 of the Street Art Conference, audiences at Cowdray Hall will have the opportunity to meet some of the festival artists.
APRIL 25 Aberdeen Art Gallery, Cowdray Hall, Schoolhill, AB10 1JQ – 11:00 – 17:00
Conference Programme Speakers Bios Speakers Social Media assets
DAY 1 / APRIL 25 – 17:00 An art walk with Festival artist Alisa Oleva will explore the city as a poetic text which we can read and how we can write back to the city: our dreams, our hopes, our desires, our stories.
DAY 2 / APRIL 26 – 13:00 This art walk with Alisa Oleva will invite you to tune in your ears to what you can hear and what remains unheard in the city.
Aberdeen Art Gallery Courtyard, Schoolhill, AB10 1JQ
- CLOSING PARTY : F*UCK ART LETS DANCE DJ Martyn Reed & Friends
Vinyl Mayhem with House Music All Night Long. Join the artists and crew for this year’s big kick out party. All invited.
APRIL 25 at EXODUS, upstairs at Triplekirks Schoolhill, Aberdeen AB10 1JT 23:00 – 3:00
With Special Guest Guide Stuart of Inspiring City
Come join us on our first guided tours to include a selection of the new 2026 pieces with special guest guide Stuart Holdsworth, editor of the award-winning street art website ‘Inspiring City’.
Meeting Point: Academy Courtyard, Belmont Street
APRIL 25 at 13:00 & 16:00, and APRIL 26 at 13:00 & 16:00
- BIG BELMONT BASH & Satellite Projects
Big Belmont Bash – a free festival celebrating the community and history of Belmont Street, Back Wynd, Gaelic Lane, and Little Belmont Street. We’re turning Belmont Street into a festival of music, games, and fun activities for all ages including some special Nuart twists!
APRIL 25th 12:00 till late, Belmont Street
More information on Satellite events including workshops, hip hop nights and beyond, coming soon – keep your eyes on our website for updates
NUART 2026 SPEAKERS
Adrian Burnham (UK) | @flyingleaps_2016
Alisa Oleva (UK) | @alisaoleva
Dr Antonia Thomas (SCT) | @art.archaeology.orkney
Dr Catriona McAra (SCT) | @catrionamcara
Carlo McCormick (US)
Dr Erik Hannerz (SE) | @erikhsctannerz
Dr Emma Bryning
Erin Holly (UK) | @erin_holly_
Dr. Hania El Houry (LB / DE) | @8mm.media
Evan Pricco (US) | @epricco
HICKS (UK) | @ed_hicks
Remi Rough (UK) | @remirough
Robert Montgomery (SCT) | @robertmontgomeryghost @robertmontgomerystudio
Stephen Ellcock (UK) | @stephenellcock
Stuart Holdsworth (UK) | @Inspiringcity
Dr Susan Hansen (AU / UK) | @suse.hansen
NUART 2026 ARTISTS
Alisa Oleva (UK) | @alisaoleva
Ciarán Glöbel (SCT) | @ciaranglobel
dr.d AKA Subvertiser (UK) | @subvertiser
HICKS (UK) | @ed_hicks
James Klinge (SCT) | @jamesklinge_art
KMG (SCT) | @kmgyeah
Molly Hankinson (UK) | @mollyhankinson.studio
Remi Rough (UK) | @remirough
Robert Montgomery (SCT) | @robertmontgomeryghost @robertmontgomerystudio
The Rebel Bear (SCT) | @the.rebel.bear
The Writing Is On The Wall (UK) | @thewritingisonthewall.art
Trackie McLeod (SCT) | @trackiemcleod
V2k | (LT / SCT) | @v2k_art