Art, Craft and Design
Art, Craft and Design courses
Beginners courses
Want to learn something different or thinking of trying to turn your hobby into a money-spinner? We are offering a huge range of arts and crafts courses from September. Venues include Westgate College, Gosforth Library, Heaton Centre, Great Park Community Centre and Spital Tongues Community Centre. Courses run daytimes and evenings. You can learn painting, drawing, photography, candle making, jewellery making, crochet, dressmaking, textile crafts, creative writing and lots more! We have courses to suit all levels of ability and they could be free if you meet the eligibility criteria.
Ask us about flexible learning – you can try a taster session of many of our longer courses by arrangement if you don’t want to commit to a full term.
Contact NCLGatewayEnquiries@newcastle.gov.uk to find out more.
Accredited courses
As you become competent with your craft, you can progress through entry level certificates to higher level courses that will give you a formal qualification, such as NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Art and Design. This is subject to viable class sizes.
All of our accredited courses require you to compile a portfolio of work with reflection and evaluation. We strongly encourage you to do this electronically to keep your artwork secure and save you carrying bulky items to class. Your portfolio is accessed by you and your tutor and anyone else authorised to do so and is securely stored via Google Classroom. The online classroom also gives you the opportunity to access course resources in between classroom sessions.
Some of our learners have been successful in setting up their own small businesses selling their craft items.
How do I know what is the right level for me?
If the course is at entry level, then it will be aimed at those with little or no experience. A level 1 course will be suitable if you have some competence in the subject. For a level 2 course, you should seek advice and guidance if you have not previously studied with us. Where the level is indicated as ‘mixed’ you will in a mixed ability group and able to follow projects set by the tutor at your own level.
What do I need to bring?
For most courses, you will need to supply your own materials and will be told what to bring in advance.
If you are doing a sewing course, you should expect to bring a basic sewing kit. This will normally consist of small scissors, large sharp scissors for cutting fabric, small pieces of fabric for making samples, good quality dressmakers pins, thread and a tape measure. Total cost approx. £15. For more specialist courses like interior design or embroidery, your tutor will advise on what you need to bring.
For painting and drawing classes, you will need to provide your own equipment. Please bring your painting kit to the first class and your tutor will discuss in detail the materials that you need. Estimated costs of materials needed for a term is between £30 and £50.
For more specialist courses like jewellery making, you will pay £2.50 per week for materials supplied by the centre. This cost is not covered by fee remission.
If you are late enrolling for your course, it will be a good idea to make sure you contact us to find out what you need to bring to your first session, as this information will be sent out usually about 5 days before the start of the course.
Can I see the kind of work learners produce?
Our painting and drawing classes continued online all the way through the pandemic. Many learners submitted work for display in our online gallery.