The Norman Rea Gallery was established in 1976 by the provost of Langwith College at the University of York, Norman Rea. He felt that students needed the chance to directly engage with the arts and artists, and that a space should be created to give emerging artists and creatives the opportunity to show their work. The Norman Rea Gallery is currently the only student-run gallery in the UK, and has given voice to hundereds of artists through a variety of diverse exhibitions.