CCA Derry~Londonderry

CCA Derry~Londonderry Centre for Contemporary Art (CCA) fosters a wide range of artistic, curatorial, and critical practice CCA developed out of the Context Gallery in The Playhouse.

Since its conception in 1992, the gallery has exhibited emerging artists from Northern Ireland alongside international peers. CCA’s activity builds on the history of the Context Gallery but has a wider mandate, fostering a range of artistic, curatorial, and critical practices, locally, regionally and internationally. CCA opened in the autumn of 2012 in a space designed by Michael Carr Architects.

In 2021 CCA is honoured to be one of five shortlisted for the Art Fund Museum of the Year 2021, the world's largest museum prize for CCA's work supporting artists and audiences over the pandemic. CCA is grateful for the continued support of our primary funder, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. CCA also acknowledges funding and support received from Derry City and Strabane District Council, Caldwell & Robinson Solicitors and The Art Fund. CCA is a member of Plus Tate. Plus Tate is a network which comprises thirty five cultural institutions – including the Tate galleries – that have strong artistic vision, a focus on contemporary art, outstanding public programming and a commitment to local community engagement through art. Plus Tate aims to support the development of the visual arts across the UK. Centre for Contemporary Art Derry~Londonderry Ltd
Registered in Northern Ireland NI041649 | Registered Charity Number NIC101414

📯Submissions now open: ‘URGENCIES (2027)’ 📯Deadline: 1 September 2026, 23.59pm📍More information on how to apply to the l...
23/06/2026

📯Submissions now open: ‘URGENCIES (2027)’ 📯
Deadline: 1 September 2026, 23.59pm
📍More information on how to apply to the link in our bio above and at CCADLD.org

The call for ‘URGENCIES (2027)’ is now live!

URGENCIES (2027) is the fifth instalment of a biennial group exhibition at CCA Derry~Londonderry, which will take place from 23 January–13 March 2027. This exhibition is selected from an open call, seeking to take the temperature of what artists working today consider to be urgent, with each instalment charting shifting concerns and generations of artists over time.

This call seeks artists in the earlier stages of their careers based in Northern Ireland or with a connection to the region, who address urgencies through their work, to apply. The artworks will be selected by CCA’s Director, Catherine Hemelryk and artist Louise Wallace. Applications can consist of existing work or proposals for unrealised work.

Each selected artist will receive an exhibition fee, transport and in the case of unrealised works, a modest production budget. CCA will support artists curatorially and help connect artists looking to work with community groups at CCA or offsite.

🔗 Find out more and apply via the link in our bio above.

~~~

‘URGENCIES (2027)’ is supported by Arts Council Northern Ireland, Derry City & Strabane District Council and Garfield Weston Foundation.

📸 Kelly Ewing, installation view details of ‘Loch nEathach stone’ (2024) and ‘beneath the water’ (2025). Photo: CCA Derry~Londonderry & Paola Bernardelli.

💻 Digital Programmes Calls Now Live!📱 CCA is delighted to announce it is running a special digital programme to support ...
23/06/2026

💻 Digital Programmes Calls Now Live!📱

CCA is delighted to announce it is running a special digital programme to support arts professionals such as visual artists in partnership with Future Screens NI. A series of workshops, experimental takeovers, mentoring and digital residencies will take place over the next twelve months.

We have launched the first calls for:

• Mentoring Programme - Mentors and Mentees
• Digital Residencies
• Evaluator
• Training Workshop Survey

Visit CCADLD.org/Opportunities and CCADLD.org/CCA-Supports for more information! See 🔗 in bio!

🎉 Two exhibitions launching tonight 🎉Starting with our friends Art Arcadia 6–8pm with ‘Memory Blocks’ by Mara Cavalli at...
19/06/2026

🎉 Two exhibitions launching tonight 🎉

Starting with our friends Art Arcadia 6–8pm with ‘Memory Blocks’ by Mara Cavalli at Derry Print Workshop .
Then 7–9pm here CCA Derry~Londonderry with Christopher Steenson ‘All I see is the present’

All welcome!

🤝

Supported by Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Derry City & Strabane District Council, Garfield Weston Foundation, Arts Council Ireland, The Elephant Trust, Northern Ireland Screen’s Digital Film Archive

~~~

Images courtesy the artists
Slide one: Christopher Steenson
Slide two: Mara Cavalli

🪨 LAUNCH: ‘All I see is the present’ by Christopher Steenson🗓️ Friday 19 June 2026, 7–9pm📍 CCA Derry~LondonderryThis Fri...
17/06/2026

🪨 LAUNCH: ‘All I see is the present’ by Christopher Steenson
🗓️ Friday 19 June 2026, 7–9pm
📍 CCA Derry~Londonderry

This Friday join us for the opening reception of
Christopher Steenson’s solo exhibition ‘All I see is the present’, the artist combines sound photography, installation and archival material to explore the ways in which moments from prehistory can be used as a gateway to the present. The exhibition is the first manifestation of the artist’s long-term engagement with research exploring the prehistoric past of the island of Ireland.

A centrepiece of this exhibition is a new installation ‘The Dragon’s Teeth’ (2026), which takes its inspiration from the Beaghmore Stone Circles and Alignments, located in the heart of the artist’s native home of East Tyrone.

The exhibition runs until 12 September 2026.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

With a practice that spans sound, lens-based media, text and digital systems, Christopher Steenson’s (b.1992, North of Ireland) work bridges historical and speculative narratives to interrogate the politics of time, environment and more-than-human-relations. In approaching these concerns, he seeks to make work through which we can ‘listen across tenses’. Recent solo exhibitions include: ‘They haven’t gone away you know’, mother’s tankstation, Dublin (2025); ‘Breath Variations’, Flat Time House, London (2023); and ‘Soft Rains Will Come’, VISUAL, Carlow (2022).

IN CONVERSATION

An In Conversation between Artist Christopher Steenson and Historian Dr Brian Lacey moderated by CCA Director Catherine Hemelryk will take place on Saturday 20 June 2026 from 2pm as part of Heritage Month across Derry City & Strabane District.

~~~

‘All I see is the present’ is supported by:
Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Derry City & Strabane District Council, Garfield Weston Foundation, The Arts Council of Ireland, The Elephant Trust, Northern Ireland Screen Digital Film Archive.

📷 Image Christopher Steenson, Cnocán an Chuig (break), 2026, pigment print on archival photo paper. Image courtesy the artist.

Summer Family Activity:Stone Stories: Building the past in our present 🪨📜🗓Saturday 15 August 2026, 2–3.30pm📍CCA Derry~Lo...
17/06/2026

Summer Family Activity:
Stone Stories: Building the past in our present 🪨📜
🗓Saturday 15 August 2026, 2–3.30pm
📍CCA Derry~Londonderry

Come join us at CCA for this family friendly workshop facilitated by artist Éabha Mallett. This event forms part of the Public Programme for All I see is the present, a solo exhibition by artist Christopher Steenson.

This workshop invites children to explore how the past and present meet through making, imagining and building. Taking inspiration from exhibitions, children will think about prehistoric sites, traces, and the movement of objects across time, becoming “mini archaeologists” and “future builders” for an afternoon.

This free workshop is suitable for children ages 6+. Supervision from a parent or guardian is required. Tickets are limited and booking is essential. All materials provided. You can book your free place through CCA’s online shop - via the link in our bio 🔗

About Éabha Mallett

Éabha Mallett is an artist living and working in Derry~Londonderry. She is a recent graduate from BA Fine Art from Belfast School of Art. Having recently completed her Degree Show, Éabha continues to build her practice.



Image credits:
Christopher Steenson, slide from The Dragon’s Teeth, 2026, slide projection, media timing system, synchronised stereo sound, cabling

🪨 LAUNCH: ‘All I see is the present’ by Christopher Steenson🗓️ Friday 19 June 2026, 7–9pm📍 CCA Derry~Londonderry🦴 IN CON...
08/06/2026

🪨 LAUNCH: ‘All I see is the present’ by Christopher Steenson
🗓️ Friday 19 June 2026, 7–9pm
📍 CCA Derry~Londonderry

🦴 IN CONVERSATION: Christopher Steenson & Brian Lacey moderated by Catherine Hemelryk
🗓️ Saturday 20 June 2026, 2pm
📍 CCA Derry~Londonderry

For Christopher Steenson’s solo exhibition All I see is the present, the artist combines sound photography, installation and archival material to explore the ways in which moments from prehistory can be used as a gateway to the present. The exhibition is the first manifestation of the artist’s long-term engagement with research exploring the prehistoric past of the island of Ireland.

A centrepiece of this exhibition is a new installation The Dragon’s Teeth (2026), which takes its inspiration from the Beaghmore Stone Circles and Alignments, located in the heart of the artist’s native home of East Tyrone.

The exhibition runs until 12 September 2026.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

With a practice that spans sound, lens-based media, text and digital systems, Christopher Steenson’s (b.1992, North of Ireland) work bridges historical and speculative narratives to interrogate the politics of time, environment and more-than-human-relations. In approaching these concerns, he seeks to make work through which we can ‘listen across tenses’. Recent solo exhibitions include: They haven’t gone away you know, mother’s tankstation, Dublin (2025); Breath Variations, Flat Time House, London (2023); and Soft Rains Will Come, VISUAL, Carlow (2022).

IN CONVERSATION

An In Conversation between Artist Christopher Steenson and Historian Dr Brian Lacey moderated by CCA Director Catherine Hemelryk will take place on Saturday 20 June 2026 from 2pm as part of Heritage Month across Derry City & Strabane District.

~~~

‘All I see is the present’ is supported by:

Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Derry City & Strabane District Council, Garfield Weston Foundation, The Arts Council of Ireland, The Elephant Trust, Northern Ireland Screen Digital Film Archive.

Images courtesy the artist

Final few days to catch 'Glimmers' by Yasmine RobinsonOpen Tuesday–Saturday, noon–6pmInstall shots by .bee & CCA Derry~L...
03/06/2026

Final few days to catch 'Glimmers' by Yasmine Robinson
Open Tuesday–Saturday, noon–6pm
Install shots by .bee & CCA Derry~Londonderry

🗯️ CCA x Ulster University Lunchtime Reach Talks🗓️ 16–19 June 202, 1:15–1:45pm💻 via zoom. Link available from CCADLD.org...
01/06/2026

🗯️ CCA x Ulster University Lunchtime Reach Talks
🗓️ 16–19 June 202, 1:15–1:45pm
💻 via zoom. Link available from CCADLD.org/news / ig stories from 1pm on the day of each talk.

CCA’s next series of bitesize talks vie zoom with Ulster University are taking place every lunchtime from Tuesday 16 to Friday 19 June 2026 as part of UU Research Week. Get your lunch, zoom in and hear a different PhD student or researcher introduce their practice. The informal talks will be 20 minutes long with 10 minutes for Q&A.

This series aims to provide a way for everyone to find out about the research that is taking place across our region with topics as broad ranging as the students and researchers themselves!

The zoom link will be available from CCA’s social media from 1pm on the day of each talk or by emailing [email protected]. Follow for updates.

You can watch all four talks from our pilot season by searching for CCA Derry~Londonderry on YouTube or from the link at CCADLD.org/Research.

If you are a PhD student or researcher and would like to get involved with our future seasons, contact us at [email protected].

💬 Programme:

Tuesday 16 June 2026
Sandra Fisher: Shaping Possibility - A deep dive into the creative process of making theatre for young audiences. (Drama/Performance Studies)

Wednesday 17 June 2026
Lorna Allen: Genre Without Borders: Shudder Subscribers and the Global Circulation of Horror. (Film and Screen Studies)

Thursday 18 June 2026
Tabassum Islam: Listening to the Lived Experience of South Asian Women Working in the UK Film Industry. (Film and Screen Studies)

Friday 19 June 2026
Latifa Yeasmin: Citizenship Without Belonging: Biragona Women, State Recognition, and the Crisis of Memory in Contemporary Bangladesh. (Drama/Performance Studies)

Photo courtesy of Chandrayee Sengupta, provided through research conducted by Tabassum Islam.

Supported by Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Derry City & Strabane District Council, Garfield Weston Foundation.

📣 CCA Director Catherine Hemelryk is part of the National Selection group of judges for The Artist Prize, a new prize n...
29/05/2026

📣 CCA Director Catherine Hemelryk is part of the National Selection group of judges for The Artist Prize, a new prize now open for submissions.

🎯 The £30,000 prize for the winner and exhibition for 20 shortlisted artists at has its applications now open.

The Artist Prize is the first UK art prize of this scale built on open submissions, national curatorial judging, and full transparency - no nominations required. Open to artists at all stages of their careers across Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland and England working in any medium. Entry fees start at £10.

Visit theartistprize.com for more information and how to apply.

🔄 RECAP I 🌱WORKSHOP: MHANI X CCA DLDSeed Library with Conor O'KaneFormed as a second pop-up of the CCA DLD Seed Library,...
14/05/2026

🔄 RECAP I 🌱
WORKSHOP: MHANI X CCA DLD
Seed Library with Conor O'Kane

Formed as a second pop-up of the CCA DLD Seed Library, this workshop invited us to consider how seeds are adaptive — no matter where they come from in the world, they can adjust to the circumstances and place in which they grow. The plants' offspring grow in ways suited to their habitat; seeds are a model of adaptability and belonging.
We were joined by members of the public and an afterschool art club, where they planted squash, broad bean and lupin seedlings (from seeds collected last year) in recycled containers.
Thank you to Conor O'Kane for the workshop and to Mental Health Arts NI Festival for the collaboration

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Address

10–12 Artillery Street
Derry
BT486RG

Opening Hours

Tuesday 12pm - 6pm
Wednesday 12pm - 6pm
Thursday 12pm - 6pm
Friday 12pm - 6pm
Saturday 12pm - 6pm

Telephone

+442871373538

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