School of Arts

Shaping the world through the arts

Draft image
Lancaster Castle from above

Welcome

Lancaster University's School of Arts is a creative and inclusive community, led by world-renowned researchers and practitioners whose work shapes both local and global communities. Our commitment to academic excellence, innovative teaching and impactful research empowers students to explore ideas, challenge perspectives and influence culture.

About us
2nd

in the UK for Drama, Dance & Cinematics

The Complete University Guide 2026

3rd

in the UK for student satisfaction in Architecture

The Complete University Guide 2026

Top 10

in the UK for Art & Design

The Complete University Guide 2026

7th

in UK for English

The Guardian University Guide (2026)  

3rd

in UK for Creative Writing

The Guardian University Guide (2026)

Research spotlight: Coastal Nature Lab

The Coastal Nature Lab explores how locally sourced natural materials can support community-led, sustainable coastal protection.

Coastal Nature Lab
Syrian refugees in a camp

Disciplines

Colourful diverse people crowd abstract art

A diverse community

We are committed to social justice and tackling inequalities, expanding fair and inclusive access to education, and promoting environmental and cultural sustainability. Our work is focused on fostering innovation through emerging technologies, such as cyber and AI, and human creativity and agency. Therefore, we value a diverse range of perspectives and lived experiences, in line with Lancaster's Athena Swan policy.

Athena Swan

Engagement and facilities

  • Our engagement philosophy

    We collaborate with partners and local communities in order to deliver impactful, real-world projects.

  • Specialist facilities

    We offer a range of cutting edge facilities including studios, workshops, editing suites and performance spaces.

  • Lancaster Arts

    We present contemporary performances, visual art, and music, and are nationally recognised as an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation.

Contact us

Please get in touch if you have any questions

Get in Touch

News

Image shows poster for the event with a red rose being beheaded by a halberd

Lancaster University professor to interview top historical novelist

Award-winning historical novelist Philippa Gregory will discuss her first play, Richard, My Richard, with a Lancaster University Professor in Lancaster Castle's historic keep.

Copy of the Book Cover

New book explores the future of libraries through art, technology, and research

A new publication by Dr Nathan Jones and Dr Sam Skinner rethinks what a library can be in a world shaped by artificial intelligence and digital culture.
Image of workshop participants

School of Arts Researcher Pioneers New Method for Security Collaboration through Art

A researcher from Lancaster University’s School of Arts is leading a pioneering series of workshops that use art to rethink how scientists, policymakers, and security experts collaborate on global challenges.
The image shows a montage of head and shoulders photographs of the three early career researchers involved with the podcast - from the left to the right are Dr Temidayo Eseonu, host Dr Leonie Smith and Dr Inés Gregori Labarta.

Confessions of an Early Career Researcher…a podcast must for post PhDs

A deep dive podcast series into the journeys, challenges and triumphs of Early Career Researchers, launched by the British Academy in collaboration with the Leverhulme Trust and hosted by an academic from Lancaster University’s new School of Global Affairs, is now fully available.
Image showes Daniel Draper with camera and microphone in a blurred out busy town shopping centre street

Lancaster University film graduate returns to city for screening of his new film

A Lancaster University film studies graduate returns to the city this weekend when the latest film he directed is screened at The Dukes.
Image shows Morecambe Bay looking across towards the Lake District fells with an almost clear blue sky and sand in the foreground with seagulls prominent

Audio play tunes in to capture the ‘Ebbs and Flows’ of Morecambe Bay

‘Ebbs and Flows’, is a fascinating set of conversations, creatively crafted into an audio play, which capture the pure essence of life in beautiful Morecambe Bay as experienced and told, sometimes candidly, by some of its people.

More News

Events

12th Dec

Castle Dungeons & Dragons -- eng lit & cw plays d&d

Friday 12 December 2025, 12:00pm to 4:30pm
16th Dec

Spotlight on your Future: Theatre and Performing at Lancaster

Tuesday 16 December 2025, 11:00am to 12:00pm
16th Dec

Jane Austen's 250th Birthday: A Regency Christmas in the ARC

Tuesday 16 December 2025, 1:00pm to 4:00pm

More Events