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In Pictures: Graduation 2024
Wednesday, 18 December, 2024 — We celebrated our talented 2024 graduates at a wonderful ceremony at Theatre Royal Plymouth. Read our blog for photos and highlights from the day…
Over 300 students from Arts University Plymouth graduated at Theatre Royal Plymouth last month, including the undergraduate Class of 2024 and postgraduate Classes of 2023 and 2024, coming from a range of art, design and media specialisms.
Photos by Luke Frost
<p dir="ltr">In a highly competitive time for graduates moving into the creative sector, we have seen a huge number of our recent graduates win awards and acclaim for their work. Photography graduate <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mattmarshall_photography/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Matt Marshall</a> recently claimed the prestigious <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/posts/best-in-show-at-aop-student-awards-2024" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Best in Show </a>title at the 2024 Association of Photographers (AOP) Awards for his striking image, ‘Tinside Lido Prepares for Summer’, which captures the essence of an iconic Plymouth landmark. Matt, who has gone on to pursue an MA in Photography at Arts University Plymouth, is among the many talented graduates from our university making waves in the creative industry.</p>
<p dir="ltr">In addition to Matt's success, BA (Hons) Commercial Photography graduate <a href="https://www.instagram.com/georgiarosephotography.art/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Georgia Rose</a> was named a Finalist at the AOP Awards, alongside BA (Hons) Fashion Media & Marketing graduate <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ameliaclifton.creative/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amelia Clifton</a>. Both have demonstrated outstanding creative talent in their respective fields.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/shelbynolanhoare/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shelby Nolan-Hoare</a>, another accomplished BA (Hons) Commercial Photography graduate, earned the <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/posts/commercial-photography-student-wins-prestigious-british-photography-award" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">People’s Choice Award</a> in the Fashion category at the British Photography Awards, further showcasing the calibre of talent coming from our courses.</p>
<p dir="ltr">BA (Hons) Fashion Media & Marketing graduate Madeleine Franklin also made her mark by winning Silver in the Conscious Consumption category at the <a href="https://www.creative-conscience.org.uk/winners/sustainability-and-well-being-in-the-luxury-footwear-market" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Creative Conscience Awards </a>2024, for her innovative sustainable footwear designs aimed at the luxury market. Additionally, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/_poppaea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Poppy Stroud</a>, a graduate from the same program, secured the Sustainability Award at the <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/posts/fashion-media-marketing-students-recognised-at-size-x-new-balance-awards" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">size? x New Balance Syllabus Awards 2024</a>, while <a href="https://www.instagram.com/megan.lly/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Megan Lim</a> won the Breaking the Mould Award at the same event, demonstrating the diverse and impactful work of our graduates in fashion and sustainability.<br /></p>

Honorary Fellow Dr. James Fox photographed by Luke Frost
<p dir="ltr">Each year, Arts University Plymouth awards <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/about-us/honorary-fellowships" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Honorary Fellowships</a> to individuals who have made impactful contributions to the creative industries, as well as those who have driven significant social change through arts and culture.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Dr. James Fox, a Cambridge art historian, writer, and BAFTA-nominated broadcaster, was honoured for his significant contributions to modern and British art. The first in his family to attend university, James graduated with a starred first in History of Art from Cambridge in 2004, later completing an MPhil and PhD. He has held fellowships at Harvard and Yale and is currently Director of Studies in History of Art at Emmanuel College. As a broadcaster, James has made art history more accessible, engaging broader audiences worldwide.</p>
<p dir="ltr">In his acceptance speech, Dr.James Fox said: "As we move through increasingly complex, divisive, volatile times, I believe the arts have never been more valuable: they can enrich and beautify the threadbare public realm, they can regenerate communities, they can make sense of the senselessness around us, and they can uplift and inspire the public. Culture might not be a matter of life and death, but it is one of the things that makes life worth living."<br /></p>

Honorary Fellow Victoria Pomery OBE photographed by Luke Frost
<p dir="ltr">Victoria Pomery OBE was honoured for her exceptional leadership in the arts. In 2021, she became CEO of The Box, Plymouth’s museum and gallery, which opened in 2020. Victoria’s career includes leading Turner Contemporary in Margate, where she played a key role in its design and fundraising, helping to regenerate the town. Awarded an OBE in 2012, she has continued to impact the cultural landscape through her work at The Box and beyond.</p>
<p dir="ltr">"During these uncertain and tough times, creativity remains essential. It is part of what makes us human and is needed in every field, not just the arts. My career has been one of constant surprises, my creativity has enabled me to be resilient and to think outside the box, no pun intended. Use your creativity to drive your vision and ambition. If I’ve learnt one thing it is the importance of being guided by an ambitious vision and of the power of working collaboratively."<br /></p>

Vice-Chancellor & Chief Executive Professor Paul Fieldsend-Danks photographed by Luke Frost
<p>Our Vice-Chancellor & Chief Executive <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/people/paul-fieldsend-danks" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Professor Paul Fieldsend-Danks</a> expressed his congratulations and shared some wise words with our graduating students:</p>
“During your studies you will have learnt how to succeed, how to harness failure, and how knowledge is built upon a range of transferable skills and attributes. All of this means you are now in a good position to make a positive contribution to a world that will need your problem solving skills and creativity.”
Vice-Chancellor & Chief Executive Professor Paul Fieldsend-Danks

Photo by Luke Frost
<p>If you’re ready to begin your journey towards a career in the creative industries, join us at Arts University Plymouth, <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/posts/arts-university-plymouth-celebrates-success-at-the-whatuni-student-choice-awards-2024">University of the Year for South West England</a> based on student reviews in the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2024, number two for Student Satisfaction in the UK, and <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/posts/arts-university-plymouth-ranked-2-in-the-uk">number two for Teaching Excellence in the UK</a>in the Daily Mail University Guide 2025.</p>