Nuart Plus 22-26 April
International Street Art Conference 2026
All events are free unless otherwise stated.
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 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.
Wednesday 22 April
Even After All This Time the Sun Never Says to the Earth “You Owe Me”
Robert Montgomery Installation
Opening night: 20:00-22:00
Also open Thursday 23-Sunday 26 April, 12:00-18:00
Bon Accord Baths
Justice Mill Lane
Aberdeen AB11 6EQ
Nuart Plus begins with Robert Montgomery and Nuart curator Martyn Reed joining forces for their most ambitious project yet.
Set within the striking Art Deco surroundings of the formerly abandoned Bon Accord Baths, the 11-metre-long installation sets the tone for this year’s festival with a powerful call for love, empathy and public reflection.
Driven by melancholy, but animated by the action-led effects of his practice, Montgomery’s work responds to socio-political urgency while also creating space for thought.
Oscillating between lyricism and politics, the installation opens the week with a tangible manifestation of poetry in public space.
Thursday 23 April
Nuart Double Bill: Poetry in the Streets
Doors at 19:30
Live event 20:00-23:00
Free but ticketed with option to donate
The Lemon Tree
5 West North Street
Aberdeen AB24 5AT
Thursday brings one of the key nights in the Nuart Plus programme, gathering artists, writers and critics for an evening of conversation, provocation and public-facing cultural critique.
20:00-21:00
The Billboards Are All We Have Left for Poetry This Morning and the Signs on the Walls Shriek Like Parrots
Evan Pricco and Robert Montgomery in conversation
Robert Montgomery and Evan Pricco come together for a conversation shaped by poetry, public language and the continued force of visual culture in the street.
Montgomery’s text-based practice has become internationally recognised for bringing poetry into public space, while Pricco’s work as former editor-in-chief of Juxtapoz and founder of The Unibrow has helped shape international conversations around contemporary art.
21:15-22:15
Rage Against the Dying of the Light
Carlo McCormick’s Fireside Chat
American curator, critic, writer and raconteur Carlo McCormick joins Nuart again for what promises to be as entertaining and inspiring as it is educational.
Carlo’s capacity for digging into the underbelly of culture and uncovering what matters remains unrivalled, and his fireside chat is expected to bring its usual mix of intelligence, humour and heat.
22:40
Crit Time with HICKS
Festival artist HICKS rounds off the evening with a characteristically sharp critical intervention.
One of the culture’s most uncompromising voices, HICKS brings analysis, irreverence and provocation to a field that badly needs all three.
Friday 24 April
Nuart Plus Street Art Conference
Day 1: University of Aberdeen
Free but ticketed with option to donate
11:00-17:00, free entry
The King’s College Conference Centre
University of Aberdeen, King’s College, AB24 3FX
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.
11:00-11:10: Welcome and Introduction
Dr Susan Hansen (AU/UK) and Dr Catriona McAra (SCT)
11:10-11:50: Slapping the City – the Spatiality and Meaning of Stickers
Dr Erik Hannerz (SE)
11:50-12:30: The Writing’s on the Wall: What Do Historical and Contemporary Graffiti Have in Common?
Dr Emma Bryning (UK)
12:30-13:30 – Lunch Break
13:30-14:20: Constellations of Resistance: The Visual Language of Collective Defiance
Stephen Ellcock (UK) in conversation with Carlo McCormick (US)
14:20-15:00: Nine Centuries of Graffiti in the Heart of Neolithic Orkney
Dr Antonia Thomas (SCT)
15:00-15:20 Break
15:20-16:00: Poetry on the Nile: Tourist Graffiti from the Romantic Era
Dr Hania El Houry (LB/DE)
16:00-16:40: Panel: Forms of Urban Creativity, Past and Present
Chaired by Dr Catriona McAra, with Dr Antonia Thomas, Dr Hania El Houry, Dr Erik Hannerz and Dr Emma Bryning
Fight Club aka the Pub Debate
Free but ticketed with option to donate
21:00-23:00, free entry
Followed by music, doors open until 01:00
Upstairs at Cheerz, 2 Exchange Street, Aberdeen AB11 6PH
For anyone who’s ever been to a conference and felt bored to distraction, or anyone who ever felt too inhibited to put their hand up during a Q&A, Fight Club is for you.
Inspired by the Greek symposia, Nuart introduces a hot topic in street art culture to be debated by opposing teams made up of guest artists, academics and arts industry professionals.
Saturday 25 April
Nuart Plus Street Art Conference
Day 2: Cowdray Hall, Aberdeen Art Gallery
Free but ticketed with option to donate
11:00-17:00, free entry
Aberdeen Art Gallery, Cowdray Hall, Schoolhill, AB10 1JQ
On Day 2 of the Street Art Conference, audiences at Cowdray Hall will have the opportunity to meet some of the festival artists.
11:00-11:10: Welcome and Introduction
Dr Susan Hansen (AU/UK) and Dr Catriona McAra (SCT)
11:10-11:40: The Trans*ness of Vandalism: Poetry in the Streets
Erin Holly (UK)
11:40-12:10: 10 Years of flyingleaps: A Poetic Perspective
Adrian Burnham (UK)
12:10-12:40: Artist Talk: The City Never Sleeps
Alisa Oleva (UK)
12:40-13:40 – Lunch Break
13:40-14:20: Panel: Creating the Ephemeral
Chaired by Dr Susan Hansen, with Erin Holly, Adrian Burnham and Alisa Oleva
14:20-14:50: Artist Talk: From Wildstyle to Abstraction
Remi Rough (UK)
14:50-15:10 Break
15:10-15:50: Artist Talk: The Trash Stratum
HICKS (UK)
15:50-16:30: Meet the Festival Artists Panel
Chaired by Evan Pricco (US) and featuring the festival artists
Alisa Oleva (UK) Art Walk: Write to the City
Free but ticketed
17:00-18:30
Aberdeen Art Gallery Courtyard, Schoolhill, AB10 1JQ
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.
Street Art Walking Tours with Special Guest Guide Stuart of Inspiring City
Free but ticketed with option to donate
13:00 / 16:00
Meeting point: Academy Courtyard, Belmont Street
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.
Nuart Closing Party
F*ck Art, Let’s Dance
DJ Martyn Reed & Friends
Doors at 22:00
23:00-03:00
EXODUS, upstairs at Triplekirks, Schoolhill, Aberdeen AB10 1JT
Vinyl mayhem with house music all night long. Join the artists and crew for this year’s big kick-out party.
Sunday 26 April
Alisa Oleva (UK) Art Walk: Listen to the City Whispers
Free but ticketed
13:00-14:30
Aberdeen Art Gallery Courtyard, Schoolhill, AB10 1JQ
This art walk with Alisa Oleva invites you to tune in your ears to what you can hear and what remains unheard in the city. Do you hear its humming and its rhythm? Do you hear your own footsteps as you walk the streets? Do you hear how the city calls you?
Street Art Walking Tours with Special Guest Guide Stuart of Inspiring City
Free but ticketed with option to donate
13:00 / 16:00
Meeting point: Academy Courtyard, Belmont Street
Tours continue on Sunday, offering audiences another chance to experience the new works produced for the 2026 festival weekend with Stuart Holdsworth as guide.
Big Belmont Bash
Saturday 25 April
12:00 – late
Belmont Street
Big Belmont Bash will run on Belmont Street on Saturday 25 April, subject to licence, so why not come along early or stay for a while after your tour to enjoy some food, drink and entertainment.
Belmont Street will be transformed into a festival of music, games, and fun activities for all ages, including some special Nuart twists. Big Belmont Bash is a free festival celebrating the community and history of Belmont Street, Back Wynd, Gaelic Lane, and Little Belmont Street.
For more information on Big Belmont Bash please visit www.bigbelmontbash.co.uk.
Nuart Aberdeen Info Point
Saturday 25 April, 12:00-18:00
Sunday 26 April, 12:00-18:00
BELMONT STREET
Drop by our info point to pick up our new 2026 Nuart Aberdeen map so you can explore the city at your own pace.
We’ll also have our friendly volunteers on hand to talk all about the festival and events programme.