Learning Overview
Our learning activities are deeply rooted in Southwark. We invite artists to work with community groups, organisations, schools and individuals who are located in the Rotherhithe and Bermondsey areas to tackle issues of concern to them in a creative manner. These projects are responsive to local needs and interests and our approach is working with small groups over prolonged periods of time, both as collaborators and audiences. Through our learning programmes, we use creative practice to explore informal learning that place people at the centre of their artistic development.
We regularly partner with local community groups such as BOSCO Centre, Bede, Age UK, primary schools, Bacon’s College, universities such as the Royal College of Art and Camberwell College. These partnerships aim at devising the best possible projects for specific groups, exchanging knowledge and expertise with others.
RIVA Family Workshops
We run regular intergenerational art workshops for families, over half-terms and holidays. These are open to young and older children who work with their parent or carer. Each session is skills-based and devised with the different age groups in mind and responds to the exhibitions we have in our galleries.
Our family workshops are generously supported by RIVA.
For the latest news about our art workshops for families please sign up to our mailing list here
Seniors Art School
Seniors Art School takes place every 3 months at Dilston Gallery, hosting sociable two-day art workshops open to all with inquisitive and open minds over the age of fifty-five who are based in Southwark. Delivered by visual artists, the workshops are skills-based and respond to our exhibitions.
Seniors Art School is generously supported by the North Southwark Environment Trust.
For more information on Seniors Art School please click here
Press On! Fay Nicolson’s Screen-printing workshop, 2019
Seniors Art School, Nests and Nature: Exploring through Drawing, Rebecca Jewell, 2018
Gallery Garden
We have been running free gardening drop-in sessions since 2009 in our beautiful, award-winning Community Allotment situated in the gallery courtyard. After a hiatus following our redevelopment of the garden we are very happy to have the sessions back on starting in April 2019.
In 2016 our allotment garden won first place in the public vote for funding from Tesco’s BAGS OF HELP initiative. This funding allowed us to upgrade and reconfigure the garden to better provide access to younger gardeners, prams, buggies and wheelchairs.
For more information on our garden please click here
School Visits
We work with our neighbouring schools surrounding Southwark Park and those across the borough on a regular basis, providing artist tours and workshops relating to the exhibition programme for both Primary and Secondary School pupils.
All visits are planned with teachers and our experiences artist educators to best suit the needs of each group.
Visits can be part of an Arts Award qualification for pupils, as shown below with Artist Mark Titchner. Arts Award at Discover and Explore level can be achieved during the school holidays.
Please email us to arrange a school visit with your group.
Sounds from the Soil workshop, Laura Misch, 2017
Rotherhithe Primary School, 2018
Arts Award Centre
Southwark Park Galleries is an Arts Award Centre – we can help you achieve your Arts Award qualification.
We offer a range of different activities which can help you or your school with your Arts Award.
- Free school holiday Arts Award workshops at Discover, Explore, Bronze and Silver Levels for local children and young people.
- Free school holiday family activities based on current exhibitions or festivals, like the Big Draw.
- Meet the artist sessions for school groups in the gallery.
- Opportunities to meet curators and other gallery professionals.
- Young People’s Choice Awards – Southwark School pupils select and award winner from our Annual Open Exhibition in November/December.
Teachers // Group leaders // Young People // Families – to book a place on any of the activities please check our website under Learning for details of events then contact learning@southwarkparkgalleries.org