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: Impressionist Painting: an introduction

The course provides an introduction to Impressionist painting in France in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The course uses a selected number of paintings including work by Claude Monet and Édouard Manet, Edgar Degas and Berthe Morisot together with a number of lesser known artists. These provide the basis for the beginnings of an appreciation and understanding of some of the exciting ideas in aesthetics and philosophy of the period. The selection will encourage a focus on the paintings with themes and attentions implied in the course title, from working with sketches in the studio to painting in the open air.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 26/11/2024 -
Tue 17/12/2024
Location:
Online
Course code:
Q00019890
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £29.60

Art Appreciation: Winter in Art

Join us for an engaging lecture on the portrayal of winter in art, exploring how artists have captured the season’s stark beauty, quietude, and introspection across centuries. From medieval illuminations and Bruegel’s lively 16th-century village scenes to Monet’s serene snowscapes, winter has many inspired painters. In their works they evoke the season’s unique mood and atmosphere. This session will examine iconic winter-themed works, delving into how artists convey the season's chilly textures and muted colours, but also its reflective qualities.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 18/12/2024 -
Wed 18/12/2024
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Caroline Levisse
Course code:
Q00019896
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £7.40

WEA Membership

WEA membership is changing: more information is coming soon!

Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15