Free art and design classes at North West College

Thanks to a new partnership with a UK wide charity, local budding artists are the first on the island of Ireland to have the chance to participate in a FREE 30 week Art & Design Saturday Club at North West Regional College (NWRC). From October 2013 to May 2014, thirty 14 – 16 year old pupils are being offered the opportunity to work with expert Art and Design lecturers at NWRC to nurture their creative talents while building their confidence and self-esteem, funded by the Sorrell Foundation.

Set up in 1999 with the aim of inspiring creativity in young people and improving the quality of life through good design, the Sorrell Foundation has just agreed a partnership with NWRC to provide the Saturday Club, which has been running successfully in a number of colleges and universities in England and Wales, for the first time in Northern Ireland.

As well as exploring their skills across a range of art disciplines, with tuition and materials free of charge, the pupils participating will work alongside student volunteers from the College, and will gain an insight into the range of career opportunities in the creative industries.

In Term 1 they will also enjoy a visit to London to explore a major gallery or museum, with all travel and accommodation expenses paid. In term 2, NWRC will host a masterclass led by a leading figure in art and design such as the renowned artist Betty Jackson or digital artist Daljit Singh, to further inspire the participants. Finally, to complete the year, the work of the thirty participants will be exhibited as part of the Summer Show at Somerset House, London.

The idea of Saturday art and design classes for young people is not new. In the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s there was a post-war policy initiative that encouraged Saturday morning classes for 14-year-olds at their local art schools. For many artists and designers it was the start of their creative and entrepreneurial journeys.

North West Regional College has developed a reputation for excellence in Art and Design, offering full-time Level 3 courses equivalent to A Levels, the popular Foundation Diploma (post A Level) and a range of higher education courses, as well as the variety of part-time programmes on offer. The College is delighted to be able to offer local school pupils the opportunity to enhance their creative skills in the specialist workshops at the Strand Road Campus in partnership with the Sorrell Foundation.

Pupils who would like to participate must be nominated through their school – nomination forms have been sent to all the local post-primary schools, and parents who would wish to have their teenager considered should advise their school Head Teacher before 26th June.