National Art & Design Saturday Club for young people starting at the University of Leeds this autumn
The National Art & Design Saturday Club is part of a national network created by the Sorrell Foundation and run by the Saturday Club Trust.
From November 2017, the School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies will be running the National Art & Design Saturday Club as part of a national network created by the Sorrell Foundation and run by the Saturday Club Trust.
The Saturday Club gives young people aged 13 to 16 the unique opportunity to study art and design on Saturday mornings at their local college, university or museum free of charge.
The aim is to nurture the young people’s talent and build their confidence and self-esteem. Last year more than 1,250 young people across the UK took part in a local Saturday Club, giving them an insight into student life and an understanding of new opportunities that further and higher education can offer, as well as helping to improve their school work.
The Club offers around 20 weeks of inspiring classes over the academic year, introducing a range of different disciplines using our specialist facilities, including printmaking, photography, sculpture, archives, history of art, and many more. Participants will work with different academics, artists and staff from the across the University of Leeds, go on trips to different galleries and museums, and collaborate with arts organisations including the Arts Council Collection.
Saturday Club members will also be given the opportunity to attend an inspirational Masterclass with one leading figure from UK industry, and to exhibit their work in their own Summer Show at Somerset House, London.
The Club is suitable for young people of all abilities with an interest in art and design. A Club member who attended a National Saturday Club in 2016 said:
“The Saturday Club tutors offered me a lot of help and advice about how to improve my work. They gave me a new understanding and love for the subject and have influenced my future career greatly.”
The National Art & Design Saturday Club at the University of Leeds will take place on Saturday mornings 10am-12pm during term time, starting on 11 November 2017.
Sarah Harvey Richardson, Saturday Art Club Officer in the Educational Engagement Team, University of Leeds, said:
“It is great to be part of a national scheme that has had such a positive impact on so many young people across the country.
“We are developing a full and varied programme of activity for our Art & Design Saturday Club here at the University of Leeds. Club members will have the opportunity to access the range of facilities in the School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies, and to work with academics, artists, students and staff from across the University, as well as arts organisations from across the region.
“Over the year we will explore and experiment with a variety of disciplines, techniques, processes and ideas, culminating in a large exhibition and celebration event in June at the prestigious Somerset House, London.
“We are currently calling for Club members and would like to encourage young people with an interest in art design to apply. Equally, if you are a teacher or anyone else who can spread the word or encourage young people to get involved, please get in touch for more details and a registration form.
“Participation in the Club is free of charge ― this includes travel for any trips undertaken as part of Club activities as we endeavour to make the club as inclusive as possible.”
Abigail Harrison Moore, Head of the School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies.
