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.

Skip to courses

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.   

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 Appreciation: British Modern Art - from the Newlyn School to the Festival of Britain

In this course, we will focus on a century of artistic creation in Britain. From the artists in Cornwall to the war artists during the Second World War, we will study a varied mix of artists and art movements. We will proceed chronologically, but will keep in mind several transversal themes, especially that of the dialogue with artistic centres abroad, such as Paris and New York. Doing so, we will wonder whether modern British art followed a similar path as elsewhere or if some singular traits can be identified.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 16/09/2024 -
Mon 09/12/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Caroline Levisse
Course code:
Q00018269
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
0 places remaining
Status:
Waiting list
Fee range
Free to £88.80

Art Appreciation: Royal Portraits (1395 - 1658)

During this five week course we will explore a number of portraits of British Monarchs. We will discover the anonymous Wilton Diptych, Holbein’s portrayal of Henry VIII, the evolving portraits of Elizabeth I throughout her life; the paintings of Charles I by Anthony Van Dyck, and several portraits of the de-facto monarch Oliver Cromwell. The course will introduce the lives of the artists, the historical and socio-political contexts of the paintings, and discuss the changing perceptions of the monarchy as shown in this 250 year long history. Images of the portraits will be available for you online. Come along and tap into your inner art-critic.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 17/09/2024 -
Tue 15/10/2024
Times:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Stephen Smith
Course code:
Q00017463
How you'll learn:
Online
Status:
Waiting list
Fee range
Free to £37.00

Art Appreciation: Women Sculptors of the 20th Century

We will explore the developments in Modern 20th century sculpture through the work of a selection of women sculptors. Then we will consider the way these sculptors experimented with shape and form, in figurative representational and abstract ways which often pushed boundaries and set precedents. We will analyse the sculptor's styles and choice/use of different mediums. We will also consider the wider chronological context of sculpture and how these sculptors relate to the developments. This course is for learners who have an interest in Art and a curiosity for this three-dimensional medium. The course material will cover a range of 20th century material, making comparisons and contrasts.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 17/09/2024 -
Tue 26/11/2024
Times:
9:30am - 11:30am
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Rachel Holland-Hargreaves
Course code:
Q00016281
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
8 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £84.00

Art Appreciation: Picasso: Myth and Reality

Picasso is one of the 20th-century most well-known artists, a household name. In this course, we will learn about his personal life and his artistic career. As we do so, we will try and deconstruct the myth that exists around him both as a man and artist. Our approach will be chronological, starting in Spain, developing in Paris, and ending in Southern France, from 1881 to 1973. We will also address transversal themes, such as sculpture, Picasso’s family and lovers, the issue of collaboration, myth-making. Beyond developing your knowledge and understanding of Picasso’s art and life, this course will provide many opportunities to deepen your ability to analyse works of art (visual analysis and iconography).

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 17/09/2024 -
Tue 03/12/2024
Times:
1:30pm - 3:30pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
St John's United Reform Church Orpington
Lynwood Grove
Orpington
BR6 0BG
Tutor:
Caroline Levisse
Course code:
Q00017294
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
4 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £100.00

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 Appreciation: A Background to the Arts

In 3 introductory sessions, looking at classical antiquity, the Tudor period and the Industrial Revolution, we will learn how to analyse works of art- paintings and objects. We will focus on one object a week, building our skills of art analysis as we go. As an extension to the course, the Branch will be running a Learning Circle which students are invited to join and continue the process of analysing items of art.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 18/09/2024 -
Tue 01/10/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
St John the Baptist Church Meeting Room
55 Main Road
Danbury
CM3 4NG
Tutor:
Guest Speaker
Course code:
Q00018511
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £25.20

Art Appreciation: How to See and Interpret Paintings

Have you ever wondered how to look at a painting and how to figure out what it means? This course will give you keys to develop your understanding and appreciation of paintings and their history. Based on the study of many concrete examples, taken from a variety of historical periods and styles, we will study all the aspects of a painting, from its format and technique, to its subject matter. As we do so, you will have many occasions to apply this knowledge and techniques for yourself.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 19/09/2024 -
Thu 28/11/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Ripley Arts Centre (Bromley)
24 Sundridge Avenue
Bromley
BR1 2PX
Tutor:
Caroline Levisse
Course code:
Q00017435
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
5 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £100.00

Art Appreciation: The Century that changed the World-Renaissance and Reformation

A new way of seeing human beings and their environment; the end of the middle ages and the birth of modern Europe, the discovery of the ‘New World’; fresh insights into faith and the upheaval that created; and a new way of doing art. This study day investigates Renaissance art in Southern and Northern Europe and traces the birth and development of the Reformation. The art of Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael and van Eyck and the thought of Luther and Calvin together with the reforms of Henry VIII all feature in this extensively illustrated study day.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 20/09/2024 -
Fri 20/09/2024
Times:
10:00am - 3:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
St Lawrence Parish Rooms (Winchester)
Colebrook Street
Winchester
SO23 9LH
Tutor:
David Brindley
Course code:
Q00016855
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £23.10

Art Appreciation: How to See and Interpret Paintings

Have you ever wondered how to look at a painting and how to figure out what it means? This course will give you keys to develop your understanding and appreciation of paintings and their history. Based on the study of many concrete examples, taken from a variety of historical periods and styles, we will study all the aspects of a painting, from its format and technique, to its subject matter. As we do so, you will have many occasions to apply this knowledge and techniques for yourself.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 20/09/2024 -
Fri 06/12/2024
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Caroline Levisse
Course code:
Q00017464
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
0 places remaining
Status:
Waiting list
Fee range
Free to £88.00

Art Appreciation: British Art of the 20th Century

British art of the twentieth century is outstanding for its range of interest, style and inherent individualism.  This seven week online course explores the richness and diversity of the fascinating work of a range of artists including Paul Nash, Graham Sutherland, Ben Nicholson and Henry Moore. We will also look at the portraits of Lucian Freud and Modern Art and the Great War. No previous experience is necessary  - just a lively, open-minded interest in art!  The social, cultural, political and historical context in which these works were produced

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 23/09/2024 -
Mon 11/11/2024
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Janis Baker
Course code:
Q00018676
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

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 and political developments of their times No previous experience is necessary  - just a lively, open-minded interest in art! Topics to be covered will include the works of William Hogarth, Gustave Courbet, Jean-Francois Millet, Georg Grosz and Otto Dix; the works of the American Ashcan School (c1890-1914) and Soviet Socialist Realism (1930-); and the social, cultural and political context in which these works were produced.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 24/09/2024 -
Tue 12/11/2024
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Janis Baker
Course code:
Q00018463
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £51.80