Events
Courses And Classes
Our innovative and varied programme of short courses provides a remarkable opportunity to explore the history and theory, business and practice of art. Expert practitioners including Royal Academicians, academics and leading scholars, lead classes and discussions across the RA’s historic spaces and world-class exhibitions, providing a range of perspectives and practices for international audiences.
Browse and book the summer 2019 programme of courses and classes online. For further information and enquiries, please contact Anna Pojer, Academic Programmes Manager, on 020 7300 5641 or anna.pojer@royalacademy.org.uk
Short course
The history of sculpture
Ten-week art history and theory course
● Fully booked
● Cancelled
23 January — 27 March 2019
Next session: 27 March 2019
The Life Drawing Room, Royal Academy Schools
Join international scholars for a ten-week series on the history of sculpture and explore how artists make use of a range of styles, techniques and materials to create three-dimensional objects, from ancient civilisations to the present day.
6.15–8.15pm each week (registration from 6pm). £540 for full course, £320 for weeks 1–5 OR weeks 6–10.
Booking for this course has now closed.
Short course
The vogue of vanitas and mortality
Ten-week art history and theory course
● Fully booked
● Cancelled
5 February — 9 April 2019
Next session: 26 March 2019
The Wolfson British Academy Room, Burlington Gardens, Royal Academy of Arts
Following the RA’s sold-out course last year, international artists, curators and art world experts will return to explore both aesthetic and philosophical themes around the transience of life and their use in contemporary art.
6.30–8.00pm each week (registration from 6pm). £420 for full course, £260 for weeks 1–5 OR weeks 6–10. Includes all materials and wine reception at the end of session 5 and session 10.
Short course
Life drawing: the nude and the ideal
Five-week practical evening course
● Fully booked
● Cancelled
25 February — 25 March 2019
Next session: 25 March 2019
The Life Room, RA Schools, Piccadilly
Drawing inspiration from the Renaissance Nude exhibition at the RA, this practical and historical drawing course explores the nude as a motif by focusing on drawing from antiquity to the contemporary.
£480. Includes all materials, light refreshments and a drinks reception at the end of the final session.
Short course
Executive Master in Cultural Leadership
Open evening
● Fully booked
● Cancelled
Monday 1 April 2019
6.30 — 8pm
Wolfson British Academy Room, 6 Burlington Gardens, Royal Academy of Arts
Meet Dr Anna M. Dempster, Director of the Executive Master in Cultural Leadership and Head of Academic Programmes, for an informal evening to learn more about the RA’s exciting new MA programme.
Free, booking required.
Short course
Art crime: the myth vs the reality
Weekend-long art history and theory course
● Fully booked
● Cancelled
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6 April 2019, 10am — 5pm
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7 April 2019, 10am — 5pm
Wolfson British Academy Room, 6 Burlington Gardens, Royal Academy of Arts
This weekend-long course explores this gripping world of art crime including looting and theft, forgeries and vandalism, drawing on real cases and exploring the difference between myth and reality.
£420. Includes all materials, light refreshments at the beginning of each day and wine reception at the end of day one.
Short course
Trial, error and transformation: creativity in painting
Weekend-long practical course
● Fully booked
● Cancelled
-
6 April 2019, 10.30am — 5.30pm
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7 April 2019, 10.30am — 5.30pm
The Clore Learning Centre, Burlington Gardens, Royal Academy of Arts
In this practical art course, revitalise your artistic practice by making use of trial, error and transformation to unlock your creativity and develop your painting.
£480. Includes all materials, light refreshments at the beginning of each day and wine reception at the end of day one.
Short course
Friends and Academicians’ Room members: Life drawing – planes and facets
Evening session
● Fully booked
● Cancelled
Tuesday 16 April 2019
6.15 — 9.15pm
The Sir Hugh Casson Room for Friends, The Keeper's House, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly
An exclusive opportunity for Friends and Academicians’ Room members to enjoy monthly life-drawing sessions in the Sir Hugh Casson Room, designed to be both rewarding and fun. This month’s session concentrates on planes and facets.
£50. Includes a drinks reception and all practical materials. Friends and Academicians’ Room members only.
Short course
Life Drawing at the Royal Academy
Festival of Ideas
● Fully booked
● Cancelled
Saturday 4 May 2019
2.30 — 5.30pm
The Life Room, Royal Academy Schools
Work with an expert tutor and life model in a practical life-drawing class in the RA’s historic Life Room.
£50. Includes all practical materials.
Short course
The Art of Fashion
Eight-week art history and theory course
● Fully booked
● Cancelled
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7 May 2019, 6.30 — 8pm
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14 May 2019, 6.30 — 8pm
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21 May 2019, 6.30 — 8pm
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28 May 2019, 6.30 — 8pm
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11 June 2019, 6.30 — 8pm
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18 June 2019, 6.30 — 8pm
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25 June 2019, 6.30 — 8pm
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2 July 2019, 6.30 — 8pm
The Benjamin West Lecture Theatre, Burlington Gardens, Royal Academy of Arts
Join international scholars, art-world professionals and fashion industry experts for a lecture series on the history of Western dress from the early modern period to the present.
£420. Includes all materials, light refreshments and a wine reception at the end of the final session.
Short course
Friends and Academicians’ Room members: life drawing – structure
● Fully booked
● Cancelled
Tuesday 7 May 2019
6.15 — 9.15pm
The Sir Hugh Casson Room for Friends, The Keeper's House, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly
An exclusive opportunity for Friends and Academicians’ Room members to enjoy monthly life-drawing sessions in the Sir Hugh Casson Room, designed to be both rewarding and fun. This month’s session concentrates on structure.
£50. Includes a drinks reception and all practical materials. Friends and Academicians’ Room members only.
Short course
Executive Master in Cultural Leadership
Open evening
● Fully booked
● Cancelled
Thursday 9 May 2019
6.30 — 8pm
Wolfson British Academy Room, 6 Burlington Gardens, Royal Academy of Arts
Meet Dr Anna M. Dempster, Director of the Executive Master in Cultural Leadership and Head of Academic Programmes, for an informal evening to learn more about the RA’s exciting new MA programme.
Free, booking required.
Short course
An insider’s guide to the art market
Weekend-long art business course
● Fully booked
● Cancelled
-
11 May 2019, 10am — 5pm
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12 May 2019, 10am — 5pm
Wolfson British Academy Room, Burlington Gardens, Royal Academy of Arts
Led by Dr Anna Dempster and a host of art-world experts and insiders, this weekend course provides a unique opportunity to learn about the key institutions and individuals who shape the art market.
£540. Includes all materials, light refreshments and a wine reception at the end of day one.
Short course
Art and anatomy: the fabric of the human body
Six-week art history and theory course
● Fully booked
● Cancelled
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13 May 2019, 6.30 — 8pm
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20 May 2019, 6.30 — 8pm
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27 May 2019, 6.30 — 8pm
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3 June 2019, 6.30 — 8pm
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10 June 2019, 6.30 — 8pm
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17 June 2019, 6.30 — 8pm
The Life Room, Royal Academy Schools
Join a group of artists, curators and medical specialists to explore the art of human anatomy through the ages in a theory course inspired by the Royal Academy’s long-standing relationship with the study of anatomy.
£420. Includes all materials, light refreshments and a wine reception at the end of the final session.
Short course
Beyond skin deep: anatomical drawing and painting
Six-week practical course
● Fully booked
● Cancelled
-
15 May 2019, 6.30 — 9pm
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22 May 2019, 6.30 — 9pm
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29 May 2019, 6.30 — 9pm
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5 June 2019, 6.30 — 9pm
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12 June 2019, 6.30 — 9pm
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19 June 2019, 6.30 — 9pm
The Life Room, Royal Academy Schools
With each of the six classes taught by a different artist and expert tutor, this practical course provides a remarkable way to develop your drawing skills as well as exploring representation of the human body.
£520. Includes all materials, light refreshments and a wine reception at the end of the final session.
Short course
Botanical illustrations: colour and motion
Weekend-long practical course
● Fully booked
● Cancelled
-
18 May 2019, 10.30am — 5.30pm
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19 May 2019, 10.30am — 5.30pm
The Clore Learning Centre, Burlington Gardens, Royal Academy of Arts
Capture the vibrancy of the natural world in this weekend botanical illustration course. Explore the boundaries between drawing and painting as you bring flora to life with contemporary illustration.
£420. Includes all materials, light refreshments and a wine reception at the end of day one.
Short course
The Renaissance Nude undressed
Weekend-long art history course
● Fully booked
● Cancelled
-
18 May 2019, 10am — 5pm
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19 May 2019, 10am — 5pm
Wolfson British Academy Room, Burlington Gardens, Royal Academy of Arts
This art history and theory course considers the nude as a Renaissance subject in the 15th and 16th century art world, and examines some of the practicalities involved in its invention.
£420. Includes all materials, light refreshments and a wine reception at the end of day one.
Short course
Drawing the Renaissance nude
Four-week practical evening course
● Fully booked
● Cancelled
-
20 May 2019, 6.30 — 9.30pm
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27 May 2019, 6.30 — 9.30pm
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3 June 2019, 6.30 — 9.30pm
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10 June 2019, 6.30 — 9.30pm
The Clore Learning Centre, Burlington Gardens, Royal Academy of Arts
To coincide with ‘The Renaissance Nude’ exhibition, this course explores approaches to drawing the figure, inspired by the ideas and techniques of Renaissance art.
£420. Includes all materials, light refreshments and a drinks reception at the end of the final session.
Short course
Colour through watercolour and acrylic
Weekend-long practical course
● Fully booked
● Cancelled
-
25 May 2019, 10.30am — 5.30pm
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26 May 2019, 10.30am — 5.30pm
The Life Room, Royal Academy Schools
This intensive weekend course explores methods and techniques of watercolour and acrylic paints and the power of colour.
£480. Includes all materials, light refreshments and a wine reception at the end of day one.
Short course
Drawing with texture, tone and touch
Weekend-long practical course
● Fully booked
● Cancelled
-
8 June 2019, 10.30am — 5.30pm
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9 June 2019, 10.30am — 5.30pm
The Life Room, Royal Academy Schools
Using both traditional and contemporary drawing techniques, this practical weekend course develops skills and confidence in drawing through careful observation and rendering.
£420. Includes all materials, light refreshments and a wine reception at the end of day one.
Short course
Friends and Academicians’ Room members: life drawing – composition
Evening session
● Fully booked
● Cancelled
Tuesday 11 June 2019
6.15 — 9.15pm
The Sir Hugh Casson Room for Friends, The Keeper's House, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly
An exclusive opportunity for Friends and Academicians’ Room members to enjoy monthly life-drawing sessions in the Sir Hugh Casson Room, designed to be both rewarding and fun. This month’s session concentrates on composition.
£50. Includes a drinks reception and all practical materials. Friends and Academicians’ Room members only.
Short course
Painting processes: transforming spaces
Weekend-long practical course
● Fully booked
● Cancelled
-
15 June 2019, 10.30am — 5.30pm
-
16 June 2019, 10.30am — 5.30pm
The Clore Learning Centre, Burlington Gardens, Royal Academy of Arts
This practical course explores innovative approaches to mixed-media experimentation. Use a range of tools and techniques that help unlock creative process and practice.
£480. Includes all materials, light refreshments and a wine reception at the end of day one.
Short course
Subtle to bold: colour and light in life painting
Four-week practical evening course
● Fully booked
● Cancelled
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17 June 2019, 6.30 — 9.30pm
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24 June 2019, 6.30 — 9.30pm
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1 July 2019, 6.30 — 9.30pm
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8 July 2019, 6.30 — 9.30pm
The Clore Learning Centre, Burlington Gardens, Royal Academy of Arts
Join painter and figurative artist Andy Pankhurst for a life-drawing and painting course focused on the influence of colour and light on the physical form.
£480. Includes all materials, light refreshments and a wine reception at the end of the final session.
Short course
Executive Master in Cultural Leadership
Open evening
● Fully booked
● Cancelled
Wednesday 19 June 2019
6.30 — 8pm
Wolfson British Academy Room, 6 Burlington Gardens, Royal Academy of Arts
Meet Dr Anna M. Dempster, Director of the Executive Master in Cultural Leadership and Head of Academic Programmes, for an informal evening to learn more about the RA’s exciting new MA programme.
Free, booking required.
Short course
The horse: empire, modernity and modern art
Weekend-long art history and theory course
● Fully booked
● Cancelled
-
22 June 2019, 10am — 5pm
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23 June 2019, 10am — 5pm
Wolfson British Academy Room, Burlington Gardens, Royal Academy of Arts
This weekend course explores the remarkably different roles played by the horse in sporting art, the equestrian monument and modern art. Join art historian, Dr Nicholas Watkins, and expert guest lecturers including the President of the Royal Academy and Director of the National Horseracing Museum.
£420. Includes all materials, light refreshments and a wine reception at the end of day one.
Short course
Drawing the animal form: anatomy of the horse
Weekend-long practical course
● Fully booked
● Cancelled
-
29 June 2019, 10.30am — 5.30pm
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30 June 2019, 10.30am — 5.30pm
The Life Room, Royal Academy Schools
Artist, writer and broadcaster Dr Sarah Simblet will lead a detailed and artistic examination of the horse. Join us for a practical course studying works from the RA’s historic teaching collection, as well as a recently reconstructed horse skeleton, to create compelling works and explore this complex subject matter.
£420. Includes all materials, light refreshments and a wine reception at the end of day one.
Short course
Art and finance unlocked
Weekend-long art business course
● Fully booked
● Cancelled
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29 June 2019, 10am — 5pm
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30 June 2019, 10am — 5pm
Wolfson British Academy Room, Burlington Gardens, Royal Academy of Arts
This intensive weekend course offers an in-depth exploration of the world of art and finance.
£520. Includes all materials, light refreshments and a wine reception at the end of day one.
Short course
Art beyond the museum and the gallery
Five-day intensive summer course
● Fully booked
● Cancelled
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1 July 2019, 10am — 5pm
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2 July 2019, 10am — 5pm
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3 July 2019, 10am — 5pm
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4 July 2019, 10am — 5pm
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5 July 2019, 10am — 5pm
Wolfson British Academy Room, Burlington Gardens, Royal Academy of Arts
An intensive, expert-led summer course, in which art world professionals and academics explore the range of opportunities for engaging with art outside museums and galleries.
£1,800. Includes all materials, light refreshments each day and drinks receptions throughout the week.
Short course
Friends and Academicians’ Room members: life drawing – model as shape
Evening session
● Fully booked
● Cancelled
Tuesday 2 July 2019
6.15 — 9.15pm
The Sir Hugh Casson Room for Friends, The Keeper's House, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly
An exclusive opportunity for Friends and Academicians’ Room members to enjoy monthly life-drawing sessions in the Sir Hugh Casson Room, designed to be both rewarding and fun. This month’s session concentrates on model as shape.
£50. Includes a drinks reception and all practical materials. Friends and Academicians’ Room members only.
Short course
From pigment to paint
Weekend-long practical course
● Fully booked
● Cancelled
-
6 July 2019, 10.30am — 5.30pm
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7 July 2019, 10.30am — 5.30pm
The Clore Learning Centre, Burlington Gardens, Royal Academy of Arts
This exciting weekend practical painting course will teach you the traditional techniques used to turn pigment into paint, and then use them in your own work.
£480. Includes all materials, light refreshments and a wine reception at the end of day one.
Short course
Executive Master in Cultural Leadership
Open evening
● Fully booked
● Cancelled
Monday 15 July 2019
6.30 — 8pm
Wolfson British Academy Room, 6 Burlington Gardens, Royal Academy of Arts
Meet Dr Anna M. Dempster, Director of the Executive Master in Cultural Leadership and Head of Academic Programmes, for an informal evening to learn more about the RA’s exciting new MA programme.
Free, booking required.
Short course
The Bauhaus Preliminary Course: light and space and thread
Five-day practical and theoretical course
● Fully booked
● Cancelled
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22 July 2019, 10.30am — 5.30pm
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23 July 2019, 10.30am — 5.30pm
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24 July 2019, 10.30am — 5.30pm
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25 July 2019, 10.30am — 5.30pm
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26 July 2019, 10.30am — 5.30pm
The Life Room, Royal Academy Schools
To celebrate the 2019 Bauhaus centenary, the Royal Academy of Arts is bringing you the exciting opportunity to experience the legendary ‘Bauhaus Preliminary Course’. This five-day practical course explores space, light, shadows, thread and colour to follow in the teachings of Walter Gropius and Josef Albers.
£1,900. Includes all materials, light refreshments, lunch and wine receptions throughout the week.
Short course
Helene Schjerfbeck Symposium
One-day symposium
● Fully booked
● Cancelled
Friday 27 September 2019
9am — 6.30pm
The Benjamin West Lecture Theatre, Burlington Gardens, Royal Academy of Arts
Join us for an academic symposium exploring the extraordinary paintings of Finnish artist Helene Schjerfbeck (1862-1946) and themes raised by her work.
£50. Includes a complimentary ticket to the Helen Schjerfbeck exhibition.