Sandy Row Arts & Digital Hub Opens in South Belfast

A major regeneration milestone has been reached in south Belfast with the official opening of the Sandy Row Arts & Digital Hub.

The £1.5 million facility was formally opened on 18 February by Tracy Kelly, marking a significant investment in creativity, digital skills and community development in the Sandy Row area.

The new hub aims to transform opportunity in the neighbourhood by combining arts, education and digital innovation under one roof.

What Is the Sandy Row Arts & Digital Hub?

The Sandy Row Arts & Digital Hub is a newly refurbished community space operated by Belfast South Community Resources in partnership with Flax Art Studios.

The building has been fully transformed from a previously derelict property into a three-storey facility offering:

• A community arts studio
• A digital training suite
• A dedicated artist-in-residence space

This regeneration project was jointly funded by Belfast City Council and the Urban Villages Initiative.

Community Arts Programme and Artist-in-Residence

On the ground floor, the new art studio will host Northern Ireland’s first community-based artist-in-residence.

The programme will deliver:

• Arts projects for local schools
• Creative workshops for individuals
• Community-based classes and events

The top floor of the building will serve as the artist’s residential space, creating a fully integrated creative hub within the community.

This initiative is designed to increase access to the arts while strengthening local engagement.

Digital Training Suite Supporting Skills and Employment

The first floor houses a new digital training suite.

This space will provide:

• IT training courses
• Exam and testing facilities
• Support for online services
• Digital skills development

The hub also expands the community-run Examination and Digital Centre social enterprise. The goal is to support qualifications, boost confidence and ensure local people are not left behind as Belfast continues its digital transformation.

A Catalyst for Sandy Row Regeneration

Speaking at the opening, Lord Mayor Tracy Kelly described the hub as a catalyst for further regeneration in south Belfast.

The Sandy Row Arts & Digital Hub follows several recent investment projects in the area:

• The £250,000 Sandy Row Revitalisation Scheme funded by the Department for Communities
• The £1.2 million Coffee Culture project, which will transform another vacant building into a café and barista training centre
• The Sandy Row Open Space Project, which will restore Blythefield Park with new paths, green space and a dog park
• Plans to add new sensory equipment at Bentham Drive play park

Together, these projects signal a renewed focus on economic recovery, job creation and improved public space in Sandy Row.

Why This Matters for South Belfast

The Sandy Row Arts & Digital Hub represents more than a building refurbishment.

It delivers:

• Creative opportunities for young people
• Digital skills for job readiness
• Community-led regeneration
• Long-term social investment

By combining arts, education and digital infrastructure, the hub strengthens both cultural life and economic prospects in the area.

As Belfast advances its wider innovation ambitions, Sandy Row is positioning itself as an active participant in that future.