Nick Cave was honored with an Honorary Doctorate from the Royal College of Art. Below, you can find photos from the induction ceremony.
Earlier this week, the renowned singer-songwriter received this prestigious accolade, which represents the highest recognition the College offers to acknowledge outstanding achievements.
The ceremony, held on Tuesday, September 23, featured the presentation of the Honorary Doctorate by the RCA Chancellor, Sir Jony Ive, at the Royal Festival Hall. The event celebrated the graduation of over a thousand students from the RCA in the fields of Design and Communication.
During his speech, Cave delivered a heartfelt message, expressing gratitude toward the university. He remarked, “Through my interactions with art students, I’ve gained insight into the essence of art—not just the value of perseverance and commitment but also the idea of authenticity. I discovered that art, and in my case, songwriting, can reach deep within us and reveal our true selves.”
He concluded with a powerful statement: “Thank you all for this incredible honor, and congratulations to everyone here. We are the keepers of the world’s spirit, a role that is crucial during these times. So go forth.”
For an official photo from the university, as well as an Instagram post from his wife Susie showcasing their moment together at the ceremony, see below.
Nick Cave at Royal College of Arts, 2025. CREDIT: PressOther individuals honored with Honorary Fellowships at the 2025 ceremony included Sunil Gupta, Professor Rachel Cooper OBE (posthumously), Marion Deuchars, Dr. Sigrid Rausing, and Ed Williams.
Just a day before this event, Cave celebrated his 67th birthday on Monday, September 22. His wife Susie shared a birthday tribute on Instagram, saying, “Happy Birthday to the love of my life, my beautiful husband.”
This Honorary Doctorate comes shortly after Cave and The Bad Seeds announced a major homecoming concert set for Brighton’s Preston Park next year.
The concert is scheduled for July 31, 2026, and currently marks their only headline show in the UK for that year. “I am excited beyond words to return to my beloved Brighton with The Bad Seeds to perform at Preston Park,” Cave stated when announcing the show. “It’s a homecoming! It’s going to be big, bad, and beautiful. An epic show!”
Tickets are available here.
This announcement comes on the heels of his critically acclaimed 2024 album, ‘Wild God’.
