Education + Learning
Somerset Art Works aims to embed learning throughout all our activity and develops learning programmes to enable professional artists to work with schools and communities.
Our learning programme provides opportunities for participants of all ages to deepen their knowledge, understanding and enjoyment of art, to raise expectations, develop personal creativity, learn new skills and to be inspired!
Working with Communities
We work with artists and a wide range of arts and non-art partners, providing opportunities to develop the visual arts in Somerset and to engage communities that may have little contact with the arts. Through our projects we have developed an understanding of how the arts can benefit a wide range of community needs, facilitating and promoting the value of creativity for all: for enjoyment, learning, skills development and a personal sense of health and wellbeing. Socially engaged practice is at the core of our work. We spend time getting to know communities, groups, places and individuals, we co-plan and co-create, developing projects that are truly collaborative. This enables us to respond to the specific needs and agendas of communities and to widen participation in a meaningful way.
Education
Somerset Art Works is committed to supporting the development of young people’s artistic talent. We work with schools, colleges and cultural organisations to connect young people with great art and culture.
We are part of InspirED, a consortium of three award-winning organisations – Somerset Art Works, Somerset Film and Take Art – bringing the skills and expertise of arts and media professionals direct to young people across the county.
If you are looking to arrange an artist-led workshop or project in your school or educational establishment please let us know by filling in this Education Enquiries form. We are currently in the process of updating our school enquiries system, so please note that our response may be delayed.
Open Studios and Festival Events – Education and Family Friendly Programme
Our annual events offer abundant opportunities for inspiring creativity and learning outside the classroom. Education Resources include advice for schools and colleges on visiting venues, engaging with artists and workshop offers.
Our Family Friendly Programme encourages early engagement with the arts, shaping habits for a lifetime and building support for arts and culture in the future. We offer intergenerational family experiences with opportunities to bring generations together, offering things to do together, to create together, and to remember together.
Somerset Art Works Young People Patron – Jasbinder Bilan
We are delighted to introduce Jasbinder Bilan as SAW’s Young People Patron. Jasbinder is a teacher and Somerset based Costa Award winning young people’s author of Asha And The Spirit Bird – a colourful adventure inspired by the author’s late grandmother and set in the wild Himalayan foothills close to where she was born.
‘I passionately believe in young people’s creativity – it’s essential to their spirit, and helps them be who they truly are. Creativity connects young people to one another, our planet and most importantly to themselves.’ – Jasbinder
Find out about our patrons here.