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 Appreciation: Colour in Art

Have you ever wondered why painters use certain colours in their art? Would you like to learn more about the way traditional paints were created? This four-week course aims to give you an appreciation of the way colour has been used by artists throughout history. You do not need any prior knowledge to attend the course, just a general interest in colour and the history of art. It is also suitable for those who may have attended other art history courses and/or intend to study art or art history in the future.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 16/01/2024 -
Tue 06/02/2024
Times:
4:00pm - 6:00pm
Duration:
4 sessions
Tutor:
Michaela Cranmer
Course code:
Q00012188
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
7 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £29.60

Art Appreciation: Pioneer Women Artists Part 2: 19th and 20th Century British

Join us to discover the ground breaking contributions of a range of British women artists, and their visual legacies which continue to fascinate. This course covers those women painting in the late 19th century and during the 20th century exploring their significance within the artistic and social context. If you are interested in art from a women's point of view this course is for you.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 16/01/2024 -
Tue 19/03/2024
Times:
9:30am - 11:30am
Duration:
9 sessions
Tutor:
Rachel Holland-Hargreaves
Course code:
Q00012639
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £66.60

Art Appreciation: Art and Life - From Kahlo to Warhol

An exciting course exploring the interaction between artists and their culture that often created radical art, sometimes bristling with unsettling images but always reflecting the ideas and beliefs that motivated them. We will look at the ways in which a range of artists translated their experience of reality into their own pictorial language. Topics to be covered include the work of Frida Kahlo, Paula Modersohn-Becker, Stanley Spencer, Edward Burra, Paula Rego, Jacob Lawrence and Andy Warhol. We will also look at the social, cultural, political context in which they worked. No experience necessary, just an open -minded interest in art.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 16/01/2024 -
Tue 05/03/2024
Times:
6:30pm - 8:30pm
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
Mountsorrel Memorial Centre
105 Leicester Road
Mountsorrel
Mountsorrel
LE12 7AJ
Tutor:
Janis Baker
Course code:
Q00012962
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £58.80

Art Appreciation: Rejecting the past? Impressionism and Post-modernism Explored

As the 19th century closed, photography and industrialization reshaped artistic creation. Artists faced a changing world, navigating between tradition and innovation. Were they building upon the past or pioneering fresh ways to engage viewers? This course delves into this inquiry by analysing images spanning from Impressionism to post-modernism. Through class discussions and visual exploration, we'll scrutinize how artists grappled with this shift, deciphering whether they upheld established norms or forged ground breaking means of communication with their audience.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 16/01/2024 -
Tue 26/03/2024
Times:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Norwich Millennium Library (Norwich)
Millennium Library
The Forum, Millennium Plain
Norwich
NR2 1AW
Tutor:
Michael Baldry
Course code:
Q00013060
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £90.00

WEA Membership

For just £15 a year, you can:

  • Join our popular, award-winning weekly lecture series,
  • Access an archive of over 100 past lectures,
  • Get priority online and phone booking for autumn courses (England only),
  • Receive our Highway magazine and access back issues,
  • Attend our members’ annual conference.

Just add us to your basket to sign up today!

Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
WEA Membership

Art Appreciation: A History of Gardening through British Art

Ever wondered about the history of the British garden? This course will use representations from British art in order to discover elements of gardens from the humble greenhouse to the potting shed. We will look at drawings, illustrations, and paintings from artists throughout history up to modern times. Artists include Leonard Knyff, Marianne North, and Beatrice Parsons. This course aims to provide an introduction to the history of gardening as recorded in British art. This fascinating course aims to provide an introduction to the history of gardening as recorded in British art. This fascinating course is open to all.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 16/01/2024 -
Tue 19/03/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
St Pauls Church (Clacton-on-Sea)
St. Pauls Road
Clacton-on-Sea
CO15 6AU
Tutor:
Sue Pownall
Course code:
Q00013110
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £84.00

Art Appreciation: Art and Society in 19th Century Britain

We will discuss a range of works of art from the nineteenth century, linking them to their social, political and historical contexts, and investigating their role in recording and shaping contemporary debates.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 17/01/2024 -
Wed 27/03/2024
Times:
9:30am - 11:30am
Duration:
10 sessions
Tutor:
Prasannajit De Silva
Course code:
Q00009781
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £74.00

Art Appreciation: Art and Life - From Kahlo to Warhol

An exciting course exploring the interaction between artists and their culture that often created radical art, sometimes bristling with unsettling images but always reflecting the ideas and beliefs that motivated them. We will look at the ways in which a range of artists translated their experience of reality into their own pictorial language. Topics to be covered include the work of Frida Kahlo, Paula Modersohn-Becker, Stanley Spencer, Edward Burra, Paula Rego, Jacob Lawrence and Andy Warhol. We will also look at the social, cultural, political context in which they worked. No experience necessary, just an open -minded interest in art.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 17/01/2024 -
Wed 06/03/2024
Times:
1:30pm - 3:30pm
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
Rutland Adult Learning & Skills (Oakham)
Unit 16A
Oakham Enterprise Park, Ashwel
Oakham
LE15 7TU
Tutor:
Janis Baker
Course code:
Q00012932
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £58.80

History: Introduction to the Materials and Techniques of Painting and Drawing

Ever wanted to really find out about the types of materials and techniques artists use? Then this introductory course is for you. You will be shown a tremendous range of different kinds of artwork, and we will discuss how different periods in art history have developed very different techniques as well as materials. You will discover the benefits and drawbacks to using such diverse practices as mosaic and fresco.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 18/01/2024 -
Thu 14/03/2024
Times:
11:00am - 1:00pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Tutor:
Paul Cartwright
Course code:
Q00009238
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £59.20

History: French Art in French - From Lascaux to the Rococo (18th c.)

Pendant une heure et demi, nous parlerons d'art, en français ! Venez découvrir des chefs-d’œuvre de l’art français, et pratiquez votre français en même temps. Chaque session s’organisera autour de la présentation de quelques œuvres ou objet d’art, afin de découvrir une période artistique // During 1.5 hour, come and learn about French art, in French ! We will study some masterpieces of French art and key historical sites. This will be a good way to practice your French. Each session will be focused on one artistic period, and will be organised around the study and discussion of a few key artefacts and works of art.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 18/01/2024 -
Thu 28/03/2024
Times:
1:30pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Tutor:
Caroline Levisse
Course code:
Q00012268
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
8 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £55.50

Art Appreciation: Art History - An Introduction to the History of Architecture

This introduction to the social history of architecure will take you from Egyptian pyramids and Greek temples to skyscrapers and modern villas in this study of emblematic buildings.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 18/01/2024 -
Thu 28/03/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Ripley Arts Centre (Bromley)
24 Sundridge Avenue
Bromley
BR1 2PX
Tutor:
Caroline Levisse
Course code:
Q00012068
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £100.00