Royal College of Art Awards Honorary Doctorates to Hurvin Anderson and Orla Kiely

Key facts

• The Royal College of Art awarded Honorary Doctorates to painter Hurvin Anderson RA and print designer Orla Kiely OBE.
• Sir Peter Bazalgette, the RCA's Pro-Chancellor and Chair of Council, conferred the degrees on Thursday 1 October 2026 at the Royal Festival Hall on London's Southbank during Convocation.
• Hurvin Anderson completed his MA in Painting at the RCA in 1998.
• Anderson's work was recently the subject of a major survey at Tate Britain, and is held by Tate, the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Arts Council Collection.
• Orla Kiely graduated in MA Textiles in 1992.
• Kiely's mid-century graphic patterns became the basis of an international brand spanning fashion, accessories, homeware and textiles.
• The College is awarding Honorary Fellowships for 2026 to Joy Gregory, Jay Osgerby OBE RDI, Mike Forster and Corinne Smith.
• Fellowships recognise outstanding contributions to the College, the creative industries or wider society.