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

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

Art Appreciation: Art in Australia: Past and Present

This online course offers an in-depth exploration of the rich and diverse artistic traditions of Australia, spanning thousands of years. You will discover the country’s fascinating artistic heritage, from ancient Aboriginal rock art—dating back over 28,000 years—to contemporary works that reflect the cultural evolution of the region. We will examine both Indigenous artistic traditions (such as bark painting) and the European influences that arrived with colonisation (such as Impressionist landscape painting), analysing how these styles interact and shape Australian art today. This course provides an engaging and thought-provoking introduction. Join us for a journey through Australia's unique artistic landscape! No previous knowledge required.
View details
Dates:
Mon 02/06/2025 -
Mon 07/07/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Caroline Levisse
Course code:
Q00021431
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £44.40

Art Appreciation: Renaissance art in 16th century Europe

This course in art appreciation provides close attentions to particular works of art from Leonardo da Vinci and Albrecht Dürer to Michelangelo and Pieter Breughel. The focus will be upon specific paintings, sculptures, prints and drawings in relation to who the works were for, how the decisions about visual presentations were determined and the integration of pictorial practice with contemporary ideas. The course uses a secure digital learning portal for all the classes and for communications with the tutor and access to learning materials. The course would be appropriate for both experienced viewers of art and those new to the subject.
View details
Dates:
Tue 03/06/2025 -
Tue 22/07/2025
Times:
11:15am - 12:45pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Allen Fisher
Course code:
Q00019460
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £44.40

Art Appreciation: Art of Indigenous Cultures: Sami, Aboriginal, Native American and More

In this course, we will focus on artworks that are rarely studied in themselves: the art objects and artworks created by indigenous peoples. Come and learn about the artistic traditions of Native American peoples, of the Sami, of Aboriginal Australians, and more. You will discover cultures that are under-represented within the art world. We will discuss the styles, and types of art that are favoured by specific groups, as well as the narratives that are expressed in these artefacts. A focus on contemporary indigenous artists will allow us to discuss matters of exclusion, assimilation, and environmentalism.
View details
Dates:
Thu 05/06/2025 -
Thu 10/07/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Caroline Levisse
Course code:
Q00021444
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £44.40

Art and About: Egyptian Treasures of the British Museum (Gallery Tour)

This course is an in-person gallery tour exploring the ancient Egyptian collection of the British Museum. In 2 hours we will tour both famous pieces and lesser known gems of the Egyptian collection. We will meet on the front steps of the museum off Great Russell Street 10 minutes before the class start. Please allow time to pass through security. If you are late please proceed directly to Room 1 (Enlightenment Gallery) or if very late Room 4 (Ancient Egyptian Sculpture Gallery) both on the ground floor.
View details
Dates:
Thu 05/06/2025 -
Thu 05/06/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Meeting Place:British Museum (London)
Great Russell Street
London
WC1B 3DG
Tutor:
John Billman
Course code:
Q00019138
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
9 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £8.40

WEA Membership

WEA membership is changing: more information is coming soon!

Add to basket
Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

Art Appreciation: The Emergence of Art Photography (1839 -1920)

This three-hour session explores the rise of photography as an art form from the mid-19th century to the early 20th century. We will examine key movements, including Pictorialism, and the work of pioneers such as Nadar, Julia Margaret Cameron, Alfred Stieglitz, Edward Steichen, and Paul Strand. The session will discuss how photographers used soft focus, composition, and printing techniques to elevate photography beyond documentation into artistic expression. We will also explore photography’s relationship with modernism and its dialogue with painting. Learners will gain insight into how photography secured its place in the art world.
View details
Dates:
Fri 06/06/2025 -
Fri 06/06/2025
Times:
9:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Caroline Levisse
Course code:
Q00021437
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £11.10

Art Appreciation: Women in Art from Renaissance to date

Discover the life and work of Artemisia Gentileschi born in Italy in 1593 who is considered to be one of the most accomplished female artists of the 17th century. The session explores her work and the messages it contained . We explore the reasons for her success , her relationships , methods and training. We will look at her early life and when , where and how she began to study . The session explores her early Caravaggio influences and her Italian Baroque style and technique. The session moves on to briefly explore the work of some of the other prominent female artists from other countries through time focusing on the elements of their work but in particular the connections they had which made their work popular despite the social and political limitations upon women at the time . We will then have the opportunity to look at the work of the more contemporary modern works of female artists drawing comparisons with Gentileschi's work. Some of the artists we will discover include icons such as Louise Bourgeois and Tamara de Lempicka as well as more contemporary modern artists such as Tracey Emin.
View details
Dates:
Thu 12/06/2025 -
Thu 12/06/2025
Times:
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Kerry Van Der Schraft
Course code:
Q00022115
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £7.40

Art Appreciation: Paul Nash: Dreamer of the Modern World.

scover the fascinating life and work of 20th century artist, Paul Nash. Chart his significant impact on British art from 1914 to his death in 1946: from his experiences as Official War Artist during both World Wars; and his contribution to the development of British Surrealism and modern landscape. The course explores also Nash’s fruitful collaboration with his wife, the writer and Suffragette, Margaret Odeh. Central to this course will be a focus on Nash’s interest in spirituality and Eastern philosophies, exploring how his paintings articulated certain subjects and motifs that helped him make sense of a world of conflict.
View details
Dates:
Fri 13/06/2025 -
Fri 11/07/2025
Times:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Blue Beetle Room (London)
Hendon Lane
Finchley
London
N3 1TR
Tutor:
Chantal Condron
Course code:
Q00017396
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.00

History: Art and About: Outrage – Walking the Greenwich Park Bomb 1894

This short walk from the Greenwich Foot Tunnel entrance to the Royal Observatory traces some of the sites connected to what some have called the first act of international terrorism – the Greenwich Park Bomb Outrage of 1894 in which a young French Anarchist blew himself to pieces. Why did he do it? What was he trying to achieve and why do it in a deserted Greenwich Park in the depths of winter? What evidence of the incident now remains for us to consider and attempt to draw conclusions from? What was the explosion’s lasting impact, and does it have any modern relevance? Meet at Greenwich Foot Tunnel South Entrance, London SE10 9HT
View details
Dates:
Fri 13/06/2025 -
Fri 13/06/2025
Times:
10:30am - 1:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Meeting Point: Greenwich Foot Tunnel
South Entrance
London
London
SE10 9HT
Tutor:
Laurie Johnston
Course code:
Q00022030
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £12.60

Architectural Appreciation: The Glory of London’s Mainline Railway Termini

This day-school celebrates the glories in architecture and design of London’s great railway termini. It studies the wonders of early Victorian design and engineering at Paddington and King’s Cross, the late Victorian Gothic of St Pancras, through to the post-war Modernism of Euston. All of the stations are unique, their initial design and build determined by the specific requirements of the traffic they were to serve, the latest technology and materials available at the time they were built, and the ideas and practice of their engineers and architects. The course reviews the story of each of London’s 12 great termini over the last 150 years, and reveals how after a century of neglect and architectural abuse they have become treasured, better protected and sensitively enhanced in recent years.
View details
Dates:
Fri 13/06/2025 -
Fri 13/06/2025
Times:
10:00am - 4:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
The Ambrose Allen Centre (Tadley)
2 Franklin Avenue
Tadley
RG26 4ET
Tutor:
Mike Grundy
Course code:
Q00022154
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £25.20

Art Appreciation: From Wild Beasts to Prophets: Fauvism to Nabis

Explore how the use of imaginative, ‘wild’ and dramatic colour was developed to conjure emotions and create new experiences rather than naturalism in the exciting avant garde period from the late 19th to early 20th century. This course is a natural progression from studies of Impressionist and Post Impressionist artwork, which greatly influenced the evolving experimentation for this exciting period of expressive and intensely coloured artwork of interiors, cityscapes and figurative subject matter such as ‘dance’ and ‘bathers’. Sessions will explore artwork of this subject matter by prominent artists Bonnard, Vuillard, Matisse, Derain and Vlaminick amongst others and the impact these artists have had on contemporary artwork.
View details
Dates:
Tue 17/06/2025 -
Tue 15/07/2025
Times:
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Debra Collis
Course code:
Q00022004
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.00