Overview

This one-week course will equip you with tools to identify formal and conceptual qualities within artworks and explore the many problems this exercise poses.

Artworks will be pitted against one another to provoke lively debate and better understand why one work or artist might be perceived as 'better' or more 'valuable' than another.

The course runs from 9.30am to 4.30pm each day. You'll also have the option of attending extra-curricular events such as talks and exhibitions on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings.

Course content and structure

You'll visit museum collections to assess and discuss paintings.

You'll learn about the process of looking and be asked to separate the 'depicted' subject matter from the 'artist's' subject matter to better understand the success or failure of a work.

Practical exercises will help you identify formal values inherent in art that can discreetly ensure an artwork's quality.

You'll explore and explain your findings through group discussions and individual presentations.

Who this course is for

The course is suitable for all levels and experience.

Certificates

You can request an attendance certificate after completing the course. These can only be supplied during the year you take the course and can't be produced retrospectively.

Cost

This two-week course costs £800.

A 10% discount is available for UCL current students and staff. You'll be asked to enter your UPI number (available on your UCL ID card) when booking.

Course fees must be paid in full at the time of booking.

Only basic materials will be provided. Once you've been accepted onto the course you'll be sent details of the materials you'll need.

Slade Summer School

The Slade Summer School offers a unique opportunity for you to work within the studios and vibrant atmosphere of the Slade - a world-renowned school of fine art. 

You'll become part of a wider community of artists and will have a real sense of studying in an art school environment among Slade students and alumni. You'll test your abilities while learning new skills and different approaches to making art.

You can take part in a lively range of extra-curricular activities, including: 

• art history lectures and artist talks introducing the varied contexts and histories of fine art
• exhibition openings and talks by Slade undergraduate and postgraduate students about their work
• a series of artists' projects run by Slade tutors, alumni and recently graduated student residents - you'll be invited into these studio spaces to discuss the works with the artists 

Evening events take place at 5pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. 

Take an extended programme of multiple courses

Many different one, two and three-week courses are available. You can build a personalised programme of study by taking a series of short courses over the ten-week period. 

Please call the Summer School team if you'd like do this - they have detailed knowledge of the curriculum and can help you plan a programme.

All the Summer School courses available are listed on the Slade website.

Further information

Read more about this course and others on the Slade website, which provides information about booking and cancellations.

Course team

All tutors are practising artists.

Course leader: Rose Davey.

Course information last modified: 30 Nov 2022, 16:00