The Best Lectures & Evening Classes In London
BEST FOR ART STUDIES:
The London Art Salon
The London Art Salon was founded by friends Ali Cohen and Julia Musgrave back in 2013, after they realised that the world of art can sometimes seem stuffy and intimidating. Through in-person lectures and online talks, the group aims to open up the conversation and make it accessible for everyone. The current series of events takes place at The Art Workers’ Guild near Russell Square, and topics range from ancient sculptures and Renaissance artists to contemporary designers. We like the sound of the talk on 20th-century female artists with art historian Marie-Anne Mancio (Thursday 1st December).
Price: Tickets start from £10.
Visit LondonArtSalon.com
BEST FOR ACADEMIA:
Imperial After Hours
Imperial College London was recently ranked third in the QS World University Rankings. In addition to its undergraduate and post-graduate courses, the university holds evening classes and lectures on practical arts and creative writing, art history, music, business, humanities and science – a fantastic opportunity to study at a top institution. Classes take place in campus classrooms and are led by Imperial tutors and external experts. There’s also a range of language classes if you want to try Arabic, Mandarin, Italian or Spanish, to name a few. Two new courses for next year include ‘English Cathedrals: Art, Architecture and Legends’; and ‘Botanic Gardens: A Story of Beauty, Corruption & Medicine’.
Price: Ten-week course start from £100.
Visit Imperial.ac.uk
BEST FOR TOP EXPERTS:
How To Academy
The How To Academy runs lectures and events led by some of the world’s top authorities. Events take place in Conway Hall near the British Museum or The Art Workers’ Guild, where you can hear from experts like Professor Tim Spector, historian and author Simon Sebag Montefiore and actor Richard E Grant. Don’t miss the talk from Japanese organisation guru Marie Kondo on Monday 14th November, who will talk about creating a peaceful space at home and achieving your ideal life.
Price: Tickets start from £9.99.
Visit HowToAcademy.com
BEST FOR ART & DESIGN:
V&A Talks
The V&A has several lecture theatres where industry insiders and experts take to the stage to discuss book launches, historical events and celebrate the best names in the world of art and design. Most are livestreamed online via Zoom if you can’t make it in person. We’re excited for the lecture with photographer Steven Klein in conversation with Editor-in-Chief of British Vogue Edward Enninful (Tuesday 8th November). Other highlights include a talk on the V&A’s extensive glass collection and its origins (Thursday 10th November) and ‘Life in a French Country House’ with Dior Home's artistic director (Thursday 17th November).
Price: Tickets start £5.
Visit VAM.ac.uk
BEST FOR CREATIVE WRITNG:
City Lit
Always dreamed of writing a novel but not sure where to start? City Lit is one of the capital’s best destinations for online and classroom-based adult courses, whether you’re after a part-time short course or one-off workshop. It offers an extensive range of subjects including art and design, music, dance, history, computing and languages, but it’s best known for its writing courses – David Bowie, Andrea Levy and Malorie Blackman are all notable alumni. Courses are taught by expert tutors, many of whom are industry professionals looking to pass on their knowledge and wisdom. Popular creative courses include ‘writing a memoir’, ‘an introduction to journalism’ and ‘travel writing 101’.
Price: Courses start from £19.
Visit CityLit.ac.uk
BEST FOR HISTORY BUFFS:
British Museum
In addition to leading exhibitions and events, the British Museum hosts regular lectures for its members, led by expert curators and historians. Each major exhibition has a dedicated lecture on how it was curated, the history behind the artefacts and how it has shaped our understanding today. Upcoming lectures, which take place in the museum’s impressive lecture theatre, include a talk on Japanese myths, gods and heroes; homo sapiens rediscovered; and the life and history of Tutankhamun.
Price: Tickets start from £10, plus membership fees.
Visit BritishMuseum.org
BEST FOR LITERARY DISCUSSIONS:
London Review Bookshop
Just a short walk from the British Museum, London Review Bookshop is a charming place to discover new authors and titles hitting the shelves each week. It also runs regular talks in the main shop where authors and experts lead an ‘in conversation-style’ evening. Previous authors have included Anne Enright, Leïla Slimani and Rebecca Solnit, and upcoming names include actor and author Wallace Shawn, theatre director John Barton, and author Derek Owusu. Larger events take place at the nearby St George’s Church.
Price: Tickets cost £10.
BEST FOR SCIENCE:
Wellcome Collection
Wellcome Collection is a free museum and library near Euston Square that aims to challenge how we all think and feel about health, through exhibitions, collections and events. Lectures are led by experts in the field and are suitable for all ages and abilities. Upcoming events include a talk on phobias and manias with journalist Kate Summerscale and psychoanalyst Stephen Grosz (Thursday 10th November); and ‘eugenics, feminism and birth control’ with researcher Nora Heidorn (Thursday 17th November).
Price: Free.
Visit WellcomeCollection.org
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