Improve your arts & craft skills, or learn some new ones

We’ve got the best modern arts and crafts classes that you can do online or in person at one of our learning venues across England and Scotland. It's never been easier to try your hand at something a little different and discover a new talent.

Skip to courses

Our arts and crafts workshops are perfect if you’re looking to get creative and hands on.

Show your creativity

Take centre stage with one of our performing arts courses, or indulge your photography passion and strike a pose with tips and techniques on how to capture that perfect shot.  

Develop the skills and get crafty with some jewellery making, with no previous experience required. With courses in textiles and sewing, as well as the arts, we really do have something for everyone, and everyone is welcome too.  

Small focused groups

The combination of small class sizes and guidance from expert tutors means that taking part in one of our arts and crafts courses is the perfect place for you to develop your talent, learn a new skill, or start that hobby you’ve always wanted to try.

Please enter your postcode

In order for us to give you accurate results for your courses, please click on the Search options and enter your postcode and the mile radius for your search.

Refine search

How you'll learn

Your location

Please enter your postcode or town for your search in the boxes below.

We have defaulted the search to ten miles, but you can change this number in the box as you wish.

Sort by start date

Choose to sort the course start date in ascending order (furthest away dates first) or descending (most recent dates first)

Results per page

Days

Other Filters

Part of day
Level of study
Availability
Search for the branch name/location, without adding branch e.g. Barnet

Art Practical: Art Exploration - Our World

For beginners and improvers, this course will use the theme ‘ My World’ to explore a range of arts materials and techniques to give people confidence and skills to create their own unique art. ‘My World’ can be abstract, real or imaginary. As always, the focus will be on experimentation, enjoying the process, and trying a range of materials to find out what works best for each student’s style and interest. We will also be looking at a range of drawing techniques.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 09/01/2025 -
Thu 27/03/2025
Times:
9:30am - 11:30am
Duration:
11 sessions
Location:
Longley 4 Greens Centre (Sheffield)
41 Southey Avenue
Sheffield
S5 7NN
Tutor:
Lizzy Alageswaran
Course code:
Q00019522
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £92.40

Textiles & Fashion: Bag Making

Join us for an exciting new course tailored for beginner bag makers! If you have basic sewing machine experience, this is the perfect opportunity to refresh your skills and learn new tips. You'll have the choice of various bag patterns focusing on specific bag-making techniques, or you can create your own patterns using the skills you'll acquire. This course will delve into techniques like installing zippers, adding pockets, and crafting different bag bases and handles. We'll create 2-3 bags throughout the course with sustainability in mind. Skills covered and enhanced will include seams and hems, buttonholes, inserting zips, sewing and reinforcing corners, as well as sewing curves and darts.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 09/01/2025 -
Thu 27/03/2025
Times:
11:30am - 1:30pm
Duration:
11 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Rebecca Spear
Course code:
Q00019803
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £122.10

Art Practical: Culture and Decoration - Styles and Techniques

This course will examine how different countries and cultures use pattern as a form of decoration whilst exploring a variety of art making techniques and media. You will be invited to find out about different countries, uncovering how decoration has become a distinctive part of their culture, rituals and presentation. You will have the opportunity to experiment with symmetry, symbolism and colour and learn about the meaning and importance of different decorative traditions, including the making and decorating of your own Mexican sugar skull, Indian Mandala plate and Chinese Ming vase pattern

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 10/01/2025 -
Fri 28/03/2025
Times:
11:00am - 4:00pm
Duration:
11 sessions
Location:
NST Hub (North Somerset Training Communi
31 Alexandra Parade
Weston-super-Mare
BS23 1QZ
Tutor:
Katie Dexter
Course code:
Q00017183
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £231.00

Textiles and Fashion: Sewing 3

Enhance your sewing skills with our Textiles and Fashion: Sewing 3 course. Learn advanced techniques for creating fashionable and functional clothing. Ideal for individuals with basic sewing knowledge looking to refine their skills.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 10/01/2025 -
Fri 28/02/2025
Times:
10:15am - 1:15pm
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
Southall Day Centre (Southall)
20 Western Road
Southall
UB2 5DS
Tutor:
Maria Tawfik Bitrana
Course code:
Q00017656
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £84.00

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:
£15

Art Practical: Art for Wellbeing

Learners will work with the tutor to improve confidence in their ability to develop their artistic skills and creativity within oil painting. You will be developing the skills to create a detailed landscape painting; challenging yourself to try new and different subjects. You will learn using a range of different teaching and learning activities, to include watching and following step by step demonstrations, with one-to-one help and guidance from a friendly and encouraging tutor. You will learn in a safe, welcoming and supportive environment, working together with your fellow learners and the tutor. This course is suitable for a complete beginner but also for those wanting to improve their existing skills in painting. No prior knowledge is needed, just a desire to learn and begin your journey to develop your artistic skills.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 13/01/2025 -
Mon 24/03/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Hull Quaker Meeting House (HULL)
2-10 Bean Street
HULL
HU3 2PR
Tutor:
Julie Smith
Course code:
Q00017860
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £84.00

Art Practical: Botanical Illustration

Discover the beauty of botanical illustration with our Art Practical: Botanical Illustration course. Learn techniques for drawing and painting plants and flowers with precision and detail. Ideal for artists and nature enthusiasts.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 13/01/2025 -
Mon 24/03/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Keyham Green Places (Plymouth)
163 Renown Street
Plymouth
PL2 2DT
Tutor:
Mary Boreham
Course code:
Q00016818
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £84.00

Craft: Introduction to Art journalling

This course is designed to ignite your imagination and help you express your creativity through mixed media art journaling. Whether you're a beginner, who would like to try a new hobby, or a more experienced crafter on this course we will look at a variety of techniques and different mediums to create unique, expressive journal pages. No prior art experience is necessary- just an open mind and a desire to explore your creativity. During this course we will: • Look at the fundamentals of art journaling and it’s benefit for personal expression. • Experiment with variety of techniques such as drawing, doodling, painting and collage. • Develop your own style showcasing your creativity • Learn how to use prompts to inspire your journal pages. • Build your confidence in using art as a form of self expression.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 13/01/2025 -
Mon 10/02/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Tracey Broomfield
Course code:
Q00016666
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
7 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.00

Art Practical: Intermediate Art Practical

Enhance your artistic skills with our Art Practical: Intermediate Art Practical course. Learn advanced techniques for drawing, painting, and mixed media. Ideal for artists looking to refine their abilities and explore new creative approaches.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 13/01/2025 -
Mon 24/03/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
11 sessions
Location:
The Parish Centre (Chesterfield)
91 Sheffield Road
Chesterfield
S41 7JH
Tutor:
Lizzy Alageswaran
Course code:
Q00016031
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £84.00

Craft: Crafts For Wellbeing

Many people find it difficult to have some “me time” out of a busy life to spend time on a creative activity. This course will give you the opportunity to understand the benefits of indulging in a creative activity and how this can have a positive effect on your mental health and wellbeing. You will have the opportunity to learn the basic skills of a range of different crafts and share skills and knowledge with other crafters. Each session will allow you to try a different craft which may lead you to discover a craft which could become a new hobby for you to enjoy.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 14/01/2025 -
Tue 01/04/2025
Times:
10:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
St Ives Library (St. Ives)
Gabriel Street
St. Ives
TR26 2LX
Tutor:
Jo McIntosh
Course code:
Q00016762
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £92.40

Craft: Macrame for Improvers

Macramé is a creative knotting technique that can be used to make a variety of items, plant hangers, wall hangings, friendship bracelets, belts, and bags. including jewellery and other decorative items. It’s a great way to relax and create beautiful art pieces for your home. Learning new skill is to support learners with their health and wellbeing. Learn a new skill which may be a route into employment / self-employment. During this course your tutor will give you demonstration and individual attention for your guidance. In this course you will be working with a macramé cord and each learner will be able to complete a wall hanger . It can be used by you or can be gifted to the loved ones. This is a continuation of the autumn beginners’ course, but newcomers are also welcome

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 14/01/2025 -
Tue 11/02/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Kauser Nabeel
Course code:
Q00018021
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.00