Appreciate art through learning

Our Art History courses will give you a deeper understanding of what you're looking at. When it comes to art, everyone's has their own opinion on which artist is better than the other, and what their most famous work signifies.

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Through exploring the world of art history, you'll be learning about why pieces are made in the first place and what the pieces mean. You will also examine how that’s changed over a period of time, as well as the impact it’s had on society. 

You’ll be taught about many of the aspects from the art creation process, such as the materials used in artworks, and how different kinds of artists contribute differently in expressing their ideas through freehand drawing or digital media. 

Whether you're a seasoned art appreciator or a newbie, there's something here for everyone. From exploring art painted by Salvador Dali or learning all about the history of Nordic Art from the Viking era, we have a selection of online and in-person art history courses from different decades to choose from.  

Attend an Art History course near you  

Whether you choose to learn from the comfort of your own home, or opt for a space in your local community, you’ll be taught by a talented tutor who is an expert in their field. 

The support you’ll receive on our Art History courses

Your tutor will encourage you to develop an understanding of Art History that goes beyond what's on the surface, motivating you to truly immerse yourself in the subject. It’s our learning experience that sets us apart too, with an encouraging environment that ensures you attend each session with the excitement to learn.   

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Art and About: History: 'Unmentionables'- A History of Underwear Through the Ages.

Explore the captivating evolution of fashion with our course, "Unmentionables." This journey takes us from the earliest evidence and references through to the present day. Looking at diaries, fashion plates and other contemporary sources we will explore the influences which have shaped clothing and underwear trends. How did the clothing of the elite differ from of everyone else? We will also be considering how the industrial revolution and the changing role of women affects underwear. And lastly what about today what are the ethical and sustainability issues we have to consider? Join us to find out more

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 10/07/2025 -
Thu 10/07/2025
Times:
10:00am - 1:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Kate Antoniou
Course code:
Q00022167
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £11.10

Art Appreciation: Scandinavian Design: An Introduction

This three-hour session explores the history of Scandinavian design across four transformative decades, tracing its rise to international prominence. Known for its clean lines, functional elegance, and deep respect for natural materials, Scandinavian design stands out for marrying modernist ideals with warmth, simplicity, and a strong sense of everyday usability. We’ll look at key figures such as Alvar Aalto, Arne Jacobsen, and Greta Magnusson Grossman, examining how their work shaped national and regional design identities. Through furniture, lighting, textiles, and domestic objects, the session will consider how social democracy, craft traditions, and innovation combined to create a timeless design ethos that continues to resonate today.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 14/07/2025 -
Mon 14/07/2025
Times:
9:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Caroline Levisse
Course code:
Q00022134
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £11.10

Art Appreciation: Art of the Revolution: From David to Delacroix;

As the French celebrate Bastille Day on 14th July, we will explore the dynamic relationship between art and political upheaval during the final decades of the 18th century in France up to 1830. From the twilight of the Ancien Régime to the rise of Napoleon, we will examine how artists such as Jacques-Louis David, Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun, and Adelaide Labille-Guiard responded to and shaped the revolutionary moment. Through paintings (some very famous, such as David’s Death of Marat), prints, and visual propaganda, we’ll consider how art functioned as a tool of persuasion, resistance, and reinvention. The session will also explore shifting artistic styles, including the decline of Rococo and the rise of Neoclassicism within a rapidly transforming society.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 14/07/2025 -
Mon 14/07/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Caroline Levisse
Course code:
Q00022137
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £11.10

Art Along the South Bank - Walking Tour

Art Along the South Bank Walking Tour stops at the public sculptures along the South Bank which arrived on the riverside since the Festival of Britain in 1951. As well as the sculptures mounted on plinths in alcoves commissioned to adorn the exterior of the London County Hall, now a major tourist attraction. Discover one of London’s hidden gems, a totally un-curated sculpture park stretching from Westminster Bridge to the Royal Festival Hall. The meeting point is The South Bank Lion on Westminster Bridge Rd, and the walking tour will end on the Riverside Terrace at the Royal Festival Hall.

Course Information

Dates:
Sun 20/07/2025 -
Sun 20/07/2025
Times:
3:00pm - 5:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Meeting Point: Copper Box Arena
Waterden Road
London
London
E20 3BS
Tutor:
Jolanta Jagiello
Course code:
Q00019136
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £12.60

WEA Membership

WEA membership is changing: more information is coming soon!

Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

Art Appreciation: SATIRE TO PROPAGANDA

Ranging from the satirical, even salacious, scenes of William Hogarth, through the often shocking socio-political criticism of Georg Grosz's work during the Weimar Republic, to the state-controlled art of Soviet Socialist Realism, this course explores the power of art to criticize and/or celebrate the social, political and cultural developments of their times.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 15/09/2025 -
Mon 27/10/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Janis Baker
Course code:
Q00022701
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £51.80

Art History: Women Painters in Renaissance Art

This course will cover a discussion of the importance of the social and sexual mores of the times in history. In four weeks we will look at the lives and works of these remarkable women. Starting with the virtually unknown Sister Plautilla Nelli, followed by Sofonista Anguissola, Lavinia Fontana and finally Artemisia Gentileschi. We will cover the problems that faced them because of the historical place women were in at this time due to their sex and then at the ways they employed to get round these societal problems. Then we shall study their body of work in the context of the moment of history that they lived in.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 12/01/2026 -
Mon 09/02/2026
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Kate Phillips
Course code:
Q00022294
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £29.60

Art Appreciation: Believe it or Not: Spirituality in Modern and Contemporary Art

Explore how images and motifs related to ideas of spirituality have been represented in modern and contemporary art. Why does there appear to be a resurgence of interest in spirituality especially in the practice of many international contemporary artists? On this course, we investigate examples of art from the early 1900s to the present day, including painting, sculpture, works on paper, installations and digital media. We investigate an eclectic range of artists, including Georgiana Houghton, Wassily Kandinsky, Leonora Carrington, Ithell Colquhoun and Mark Rothko in the 20th century; to and contemporary artists Marina Abramovic and Lu Yang.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 12/06/2026 -
Fri 10/07/2026
Times:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Blue Beetle Room (London)
Hendon Lane
Finchley
London
N3 1TR
Tutor:
Chantal Condron
Course code:
Q00022884
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £42.00



The courses below have already started, but are still available to book.

Art Appreciation: Modern Architecture

This 6-week course takes you on a journey through the evolution of modern architecture, starting with the Art Nouveau movement of the late 19th century and culminating in the bold works of Frank Gehry and Zaha Hadid. We’ll explore key architectural movements, including Art Deco, Bauhaus, Modernism, and Brutalism, highlighting their cultural significance, design principles, and iconic buildings. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how architecture reflects social, political, and technological changes, and how architects challenge traditional forms to shape the skylines of today. Ideal for architecture enthusiasts and those curious about the evolution of built space.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 02/06/2025 -
Mon 07/07/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Caroline Levisse
Course code:
Q00021430
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
0 places remaining
Status:
In progress (In progress)
Fee range
Free to £44.40