About the Department of Art at Goldsmiths

As one of the leading art departments in the world, we promote an experimental, intersectional, and interdisciplinary approach to art making, curation, criticism, and pedagogy in our research-intensive university. We are proud to exhibit wide-ranging contributions to contemporary art—from artistic and curatorial interventions to symposia, socially engaged practices, reading groups, public outreach, and publishing.

Creating lively exchanges and collaborations between students, tutors, workshop leaders, visiting tutors, early career researchers, curators, critics, and writers, we believe that theory and practice go hand in hand, and we care deeply about the effects and benefits of our research and teaching beyond academia.

Our department is consistently ranked highly in league tables—most recently it was placed 2nd in the UK for Art in The Guardian University Guide 2025. Goldsmiths is recognised as a vibrant and significant university for research with nearly four-fifths of research by academics considered “world leading” or “internationally excellent”, according to the last Research Excellence Framework (2021).

Goldsmiths’ Art forms an important part of London’s dynamic art world, and the department’s reputation enables us to maintain links with prestigious institutions and universities internationally. The thriving intellectual, creative, and inclusive culture of the department continues to provide numerous opportunities for students and staff to develop cross-cultural collaborations within and beyond the field of art and visual culture.

Many graduates have gone on to become successful practising artists and arts professionals after finishing their studies with us, winning major prizes and exhibiting around the world. The Turner Prize shortlist has included many of our graduates and staff over the years.

In the department there are presently 531 undergraduates and 248 postgraduate students, as well as 34 research students. There are 90 academic members of staff, working alongside an expert team of 33 Art Practice Area Tutors.

The Head of Department is Professor Richard Noble.