Why study here?

A Community of Artists

When you join the Art Academy you’ll become part of a unique artistic community, comprising students, tutors, staff and alumni.  Because of our small scale, you’ll get to know our tutors and staff well and they’ll also know you and understand your artistic journey. Students from across all our long courses study alongside one another in our Elective Skills Workshop classes, so you’ll also get to know your peers from all our programmes.  

Students on our Contemporary Fine Art Diploma, Contemporary Portraiture Diploma and Foundation programmes in particular are highly motivated, focused and driven to become the best artists they can be, so on these programmes you’ll be joining inspiring and proactive groups of peers, with whom you’ll share your creative development.

Student Focused with High Contact Hours

Students are known by name, supported individually, and taught in small groups.  We aim to keep class sizes for practical work to a maximum of 15.  On all our Long Courses, you’ll spend most of your time studying in person, guided by an experienced tutor.  We start with you as an individual and invest time, supporting you through tailored, hands-on tuition.

Artist-led

All our tutors are practising artists, many with significant profiles in the art world.  You’ll benefit both from their expert tuition and from your insights into their lives as artists through your regular contact with them. 

Skills based Contemporary Practice

At the Academy, we believe students need to learn traditional skills as well as contemporary ideas and processes.  We offer skills tuition in all disciplines and will encourage you to use these with an understanding of contemporary art practice, stretching your thinking at the same time as building your artistic skills across multiple dimensions.  On our Diploma and Foundation programmes, experimentation is key.  We encourage students to step outside their comfort zones, trying new things and seeing where these lead, under the guidance of their tutors.

Our Facilities

Our Bankside campus provides purpose-designed studios, with facilities for painting and drawing, ceramics, printmaking, digital media, sculpture and gallery exhibitions.  Our Artists’ Gallery is a professional exhibition venue showcasing emerging and established artists, and where we hold our Diploma end of year show and Creative and Professional Practice Year graduation show.  We’re in the heart of London’s cultural quarter, so you’ll  have the opportunity to engage with the capital’s rich cultural heritage – a wonderful resource to supplement your studies.

Graduate Success

Graduates from the Academy’s programmes have progressed to post graduate study at the UK’s leading art schools, including The Slade, the Royal College of Art, Central St Martins, City and Guilds Art School, Camberwell College of Arts, the Royal Drawing School, TURPs and MASS as well as establishing successful careers as practising artists.