North Carolina Central University will spotlight the creativity and innovation of its emerging artists and designers this spring with New Horizons: The 2026 Department of Art and Design Student Exhibition, a juried showcase presented by the NCCU Art Museum.
On view March 22 through April 29, 2026, New Horizons celebrates the technical skill, conceptual depth, and interdisciplinary strength of students in the Department of Art and Design. An opening reception will be held on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, from 4 to 6:30 p.m., welcoming students, faculty, alumni, and members of the Durham community to experience the exhibition firsthand. Refreshments will be served, and the event is free and open to the public.
The annual exhibition reflects the breadth of artistic practice at NCCU, featuring work from students studying Fashion Design, Architecture, Studio Art, Art Studies, Graphic Design, and Animation and Game Design. Through a formal jurying process, submitted works are reviewed and selected to ensure excellence in craftsmanship, innovation, and creative exploration.
More than a display of student artwork, New Horizons provides vital professional experience. Participants engage in submission protocols, exhibition preparation, and public presentation — hallmarks of professional practice that prepare them for careers in the creative industries. The exhibition serves as both a culmination of academic growth and a launch point into broader artistic and professional communities.
Over the years, New Horizons has become a signature cultural event on campus, drawing visitors from across the university and the surrounding region. It highlights NCCU’s commitment to fostering creative scholarship, interdisciplinary collaboration, and meaningful engagement in the visual arts and design.
The NCCU Art Museum is located at 580 E. Lawson Street in Durham, across from the Farrison-Newton Communications Building. Museum hours are Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. and Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is free. For additional information, visitors may call 919-530-7048 or email [email protected].
This image is "Waterfall Landscape" by junior Art and Design student Taylor Simmons.
