Schools Studio Programme

Since 2017, The Schools Studio Programme has been working across Lewisham and Southwark to widen access and participation for local young people aged 16-18 years old. As well as building discourse around Contemporary Art Practice, the programme looks to demystify careers and progressions within art from further education through to employment post-graduation.  

Schools and colleges that we work with include Prendergast School, Christ The King: Emmanuel, Lewisham College and Southwark College.  

What the programme aims to do:

Established and coordinated by Lily German, the mentoring programme aims to build community and offer opportunities through:  

• Creating a deeper dialogue between Art Department undergraduate courses at Goldsmiths and young people from the communities around us;
• Broadening knowledge and learning experiences for local young people through workshops, tutorials and studio visits which provide insight into studying at university whilst enhancing their coursework and portfolios;
• Offering opportunities for teaching staff to collaborate with Goldsmiths academics;
• Advocating for and increasing access for all within the arts and related industries; 
• Providing skills development opportunities for students studying BA Fine Art and BA Fine Art & History of Art programmes interested in expanding their practice through work with schools. 

This year-long programme is part of a broader commitment within the Art Department to deliver equal opportunities for all students and to equip students with the skills and confidence needed to progress in their life and careers, whether that be within our own institution or more broadly in the creative industries and careers within art.  

We want to empower a new generation of artists to be supportive of the communities around them, whilst gaining new experiences and developing skills that will help them navigate a path to and through higher education, as well as venture into the cultural sector, socially engaged practices, and society at large. 

For more information or to find out how you can get involved as a school or college, please contact Lily German, Programme Lead. 

 

Staff & Images

Programme Lead:
Lily German
l.german (@gold.ac.uk)

Other programmes in which we provide opportunities for young people include our annual Art Summer School for 16-18 year olds, the engagement programme at Goldsmiths CCA and through projects such as A Particular Reality, which hopes to forge equity and care.

Testimonials

Teaching staff in schools and colleges: 

We consider ourselves extremely fortunate to have been able to participate in this programme. The initial visit to the Fine Art department, the practical workshops and 1:1 crits have opened the eyes of many of our students to the exciting opportunities that a creative pathway offers after A Levels. The studio visit and chat with Antony Gormley was a highlight.  Long may it continue. 
Louise Allwood, Head of Art, Prendergast School 

The partnership with Goldsmiths is a great opportunity for my L3 yr1 Art & Design students to get first-hand experience of what an arts university really looks like.  It is always a joy to see their responses to being taken behind the scenes to the well-equipped Goldsmiths workshops and studio spaces.  Alongside this, the regular undergraduate visits and workshops enable them to build a meaningful dialogue with people not that much older than themselves, which provides a valuable insight into what university life is all about.
Tess Limb, Southwark College 

 

A 16-18 year old sixth form student has said:  

‘My understanding towards the creative pathway in the future has broadened when working Goldsmiths students. listening to what they did at 6th form/college or what they did after gave me an insight to what type of future I would like.” 

Another said “It has given me the chance to see a glimpse of what I could do in the future and helped me to improve and expand on my current work.” 

“I really appreciated the feedback and suggestions for my projects. Doing presentations in product design helped with my confidence”

 

Our undergraduate Artist Mentors:

Ellie Bird

Graduate of BA Fine Art & History of Art and former Artist Mentor for Schools Studio Programme:  

“The Schools Studio Programme was a significant steppingstone, preparing me for arts education. This year-long programme allowed me to mentor A-level students, conduct one-on-one tutorials, and teach using the knowledge gained during my degree. It helped me build my experience as an art facilitator and gave me the massive privilege of working with my local community.”

Full interview with Ellie Bird

Chantel Okwesa

Graduate of BA Fine Art is a former Artist Mentor for Schools Studio Programme.  Chantel participated in the Goldsmiths Art Summer School before applying to our undergraduate degree. Chantel then went onto mentor students from Prendergast School with the Schools Studio Programme and then returned to the Summer School as student staff to support workshops.

Iris Allen

Graduate of BA Fine Art & History of Art is a former Artist Mentor for Schools Studio Programme whilst they were studying at Goldsmiths and also participated as a 16 year old at Prendergast School.

Online Exhibition

Each year we hold an online exhibition to celebrate the work of all the students who participate in The Schools Studio Programme. 
Click here to see last year’s exhibition.