About Us
At Arts University Plymouth, Honorary Fellowships are awarded to those who have made a significant contribution to the arts, education or public cultural life, particularly for those who have or have had links to the university or the region.
These prestigious accolades are intended to honour exceptional achievement, and to link these people with the life and work of the university, encouraging them to act as advocates and friends to the institution, as well as contributing to the educational experience of our students.
Honorary Fellowships are awarded annually, during each year’s Graduation ceremony, and Honorary Fellows are invited to speak at the ceremony, inspiring graduands with tales from their own successful careers in the arts.
Béla Tarr
Filmmaker & Honorary Fellow (2021)
Renowned filmmaker Béla Tarr was awarded an Honorary Fellowship by Arts University Plymouth in 2021 in recognition of his outstanding artistic contribution to international film-making and education.
Pablo Helguera
Artist & Honorary Fellow (2021)
In 2021, Arts University Plymouth awarded Pablo Helguera with an Honorary Fellowship in recognition of his outstanding international contribution to the world of socially engaged artistic practice.
Anne Barlow
Director of Tate St Ives & Honorary Fellow (2020)
Anne Barlow was awarded an Honorary Fellowship by Arts University Plymouth in 2020 in recognition of her outstanding contribution to arts and culture.
Jo Arscott
Creative Director, Coach, Speaker & Honorary Fellow (2020)
Jo Arscott was awarded an Honorary Fellowship by Arts University Plymouth in 2020 in recognition of her outstanding contribution to design.
Tim & Chris Britton
Artists & Honorary Fellows (2020)
Tim & Chris Britton were awarded Honorary Fellowships by Arts University Plymouth in 2020 in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the arts in performance.
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Dr Amila Ramovic
Curator, Art Producer, Professor & Honorary Fellow (2019)
Arts University Plymouth awarded an Honorary Fellowship to Dr Amila Ramović in 2019 in recognition of her significant contribution to the arts, arts education, and cultural leadership, through her courage and resilience in developing the Ars Aevi Museum of Contemporary Art and other art initiatives as a catalyst for creative learning and social justice in post-war Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Clare Twomey
Artist & Honorary Fellow (2018)
Clare Twomey was awarded an Honorary Fellowship from Arts University Plymouth (then Plymouth College of Art) in 2018 in recognition of her outstanding achievement in the arts.
Tim Bolton
Artist, Educator and Ward Councillor for Burrator on West Devon Borough Council & Honorary Fellow (2019)
Arts University Plymouth awarded an Honorary Fellowship to Tim Bolton in 2019 in recognition of his formative contribution to the development of the institution (then Plymouth College of Art) as a Higher Education Institution, and his exceptional commitments to social justice and widening participation throughout his career.
Malcolm Ferris
Co-Founder of Making Futures & Honorary Fellow (2019)
Arts University Plymouth awarded an Honorary Fellowship to Malcolm Ferris in 2019 in recognition of his formative contribution to the development of Arts University Plymouth’s curricula and research profile, and for his achievement in establishing Making Futures as home to an internationally-significant, cross-disciplinary community of research and practice in craft and sustainability.
Mike Westbrook OBE
Musician & Honorary Fellow (2018)
Mike Westbrook was awarded an Honorary Fellowship from Arts University Plymouth in 2018 in recognition of his outstanding achievement in the arts.
Bernard Samuels
Honorary Fellow (2018)
Arts University Plymouth awarded an Honorary Fellowship to Bernard Samuels in 2018 in recognition of his outstanding achievement in social impact of the Arts in Plymouth, and his advocacy for emerging artists.
Suki Dhanda
Photographer & Honorary Fellow (2018)
Suki Dhanda was awarded an Honorary Fellowship from Arts University Plymouth in 2018 in recognition of her outstanding achievement in the arts.
Sir Nicholas Serota
Art Historian & Honorary Fellow (2017)
Sir Nicholas was awarded an Honorary Fellowship from Arts University Plymouth (then Plymouth College of Art) in 2017 in recognition of his outstanding achievement in cultural leadership and his transformation of public understanding of contemporary art.
Richard Deacon CBE
Sculptor & Honorary Fellow (2017)
Arts University Plymouth awarded an Honorary Fellowship to Richard Deacon in 2017 in recognition of his outstanding achievement as one of the foremost British sculptors of his generation.
Katie Greenyer
Creative Director, Pentland Group & Honorary Fellow (2016)
Arts University Plymouth awarded an Honorary Fellowship to Katie Greenyer in 2016 in recognition of her outstanding achievement in the field of fashion design, as well as her passionate advocacy for the role of young people in the design industries worldwide.
Sir John Sorrell CBE & Lady Frances Sorrell OBE
Founders of the Sorrell Foundation and Saturday Club Trust & Honorary Fellows (2016)
Arts University Plymouth awarded an Honorary Fellowship jointly to Sir John and Lady Frances Sorrell in 2016 in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the UK design industries and to social transformation achieved through the work of the Sorrell Foundation.
Peter Jenkinson OBE
Independent Cultural Broker & Honorary Fellow (2015)
Arts University Plymouth awarded an Honorary Fellowship to Peter Jenkinson OBE in 2015 in recognition of his passionate advocacy and achievements in arts and culture engagements in a global context.
Antoine Leperlier
Glass Artist & Honorary Fellow (2014)
Arts University Plymouth awarded glass artist Antoine Leperlier an honorary fellowship in 2014, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to contemporary art, and the realm of Pâte-de-verre.
Toby Gorniak
Founder of Street Factory Studios & Honorary Fellow (2013)
Toby Gorniak MBE is professional street dancer, choreographer, teacher, social entrepreneur and founder of Street Factory Studios in Plymouth. He was awarded an Honorary Fellowship by Arts University Plymouth in 2013.
Louise Tilbury
Project Manager, Plymouth School of Creative Arts & Honorary Fellow (2013)
Louise Tilbury was awarded an Honorary Fellowship by Arts University Plymouth (then Plymouth College of Art) in 2013.
Joanne Anning
CEO Jeremiah’s Journey & Honorary Fellow (2012)
In 2012, Arts University Plymouth awarded Jeremiah's Journey founder Joanne Anning an honorary fellowship in recognition of her commitment to collaborative working and the vital role she has played in supporting young people through traumatic circumstances in Plymouth and the surrounding area.
Albert Irvin
Artist & Honorary Fellow (2012)
Artist Albert Irvin received the university’s inaugural fellowship award in 2012, for outstanding achievement in visual arts practice.
David McKee
Artist & Honorary Fellow (2011)
The work of writer and illustrator David McKee has delighted children all over the world for more than 30 years. Arts University Plymouth awarded David McKee with an honorary fellowship in 2011 in recognition of his lifetime of achievement.