A Community of Practice for Art Educators from Swindon to the Scilly Isles.

We are delighted to announce the launch of a regional NSEAD community for the South West; a forum to share best practice, skills, and ideas; a professional support network; and a shared space to celebrate the subject we love.

 

Be there at the beginning and help us shape the region’s art and design education community.

Our first in-person meeting will take place on Tuesday 27 October, 11am – 3pm, in the Light Gallery, Arnolfini, Bristol.

The day will include a creative workshop, an introduction to artist/teacher residency programmes, a first look at upcoming national curriculum changes, and most importantly - opportunity to have fun and build generative connections between teachers and educators in the region. We’ll enjoy tea and coffee in the Light Gallery, and Arnolfini will be hosting a major survey of work by the wonderful Joy Gregory too.

If travelling from beyond the city, it’s a short walk from Bristol Temple Meads. We’d love to see you there (please bring some lunch)!

 

Sign up to join us

 

Any questions or queries about the event, or future opportunities in the NSEAD South West region, please get in touch with Will Grant at will.grant@uwe.ac.uk

Best,

Laurence Rushby, Tina Scahill & Will Grant | Council Members for NSEAD South West

_____

At NSEAD we believe our events should be an inclusive, and accessible experience for all. We expect anyone attending and working at our events to adhere to our code of conduct to ensure a safe and productive environment for everyone. See our full code of conduct.

Members and friends of the NSEAD London & South-East Art & Design (SEAD) Network Group are invited to the network's summer gathering at the Victoria & Albert Museum, South Kensington on Saturday 18 July 2026.

There is no cost for attending. To register, please email Ged Gast at gedgast@nsead.org to secure a place.

_____

Programme: Working in a gallery in response to an exhibition

10.30am | Meet at V&A Courtyard

Enter the gallery via Exhibition Road / Learning Centre entrance.

10.45am | Welcome

From Andy Ash, Ged Gast and David Houston (Team Leader, Schools & Colleges at V&A).

11am - 2pm | Welcome to the National Art Library and introduction to the museum

Led by Jenny Dunkin and Sally Jones (Museum Educators). Followed by group visits to Rising Voices: Contemporary Art from Asia, Australia and the Pacific and lunch.

• 12.30pm | Group 1: Rising Voices exhibition visit
• 12.30pm | Group 2: Lunch
• 1.15pm | Group 1: Lunch
• 1.15pm | Group 2: Rising Voices exhibition visit

2pm - 3.40pm | Afternoon sessions

Led by Andy and Ged. Discussions will focus on the process of visiting exhibitions, preparing students beforehand, making media choices to capture information, recording and documenting in a busy exhibition/display, making choices and selections with a view to what students might do with this information when back in school.

Discussion and sharing of best practice. What did we learn from the morning workshops and what can we share?

3.40pm – 4pm | Update on the Curriculum Review. What do we know - subject changes?

Plus, an update on the Autumn Gathering in October  2026 at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.

Members and friends of the NSEAD London & South-East Art & Design (SEAD) Network Group are invited to the network's spring gathering at the Clore Studio, South London Gallery on Saturday 23 May 2026.

There is no cost for attending. To register, please email Ged Gast at gedgast@nsead.org to secure a place.

_____

Programme: SEND in Art & Design - working with galleries

11am | Meet at South London Gallery (SLG)

Enter the gallery via South London Louie Café.

11am – 12.30pm | Session 1

Welcome from Andy Ash & Ged Gast, and set out the focus for the day.

• Participation and engagement led by Niall Deegan, Teacher at Tuke School and Art Fund Teacher Fellow at South London Gallery, working in residence  from September 2025 – July 2026. Niall will lead the morning workshop exploring inclusive, sensory and accessible approaches to art and learning.
• Niall will talk through the sensory inclusion resources he has produced for the current exhibitions at SLG and his work during the Teacher Fellowship.
• Followed by an open discussion on developing SEND practice and engagement for learners in mainstream art and design studios.

12:30pm - 1.30pm | Break for lunch

1.30pm - 2.45pm | Session 2

A SEND Conversation: Sharing experiences and best practice building on the learning from Session 1.

2:45pm – 3pm | Concluding remarks

And information update from Andy Ash, NSEAD President, followed by an opportunity to view the main exhibitions at SLG:

PAULO NIMER PJOTA: ENCANTADOS | Main Gallery (Free)

RANTI BAM: SACRED GROVES | Fire Station Galleries (Free)

Visit the SLG website to find out What’s On.

Image: Participants using the sensory inclusion resource created for the Yto Barrada Thrill, Fill and Spill exhibition at South London Gallery. Credit: South London Gallery.

Celebrating the very best of art, craft and design education.

Join us at The National Gallery's new Roden Centre for Creative Learning on Saturday 20 June to celebrate our 2026 NSEAD Award nominees and winners, and connect with other art, craft and design educators.

Since 1888, the NSEAD professional learning community has been at the forefront of advancing better practice in art, craft and design education. The NSEAD Awards shine a spotlight on the remarkable work of our members across the United Kingdom, celebrating their dedication, creativity and impact.

These awards recognise individuals, schools and organisations who have championed our subject, challenged boundaries, inspired change and demonstrated innovation within the sector.

Let's raise the profile of our community, our subject and its learners, together.

Double the celebration: The summer gathering will be preceded by the National Art & Design Education Conference on Thursday 18 June, online. Delegates have the option to join us for one, or both days.

 

Early bird registration (until 20 April 2026)

The conference and summer gathering are open to both members and non-members of NSEAD.

NSEAD Members: £10.00 - £20.00

The annual conference is a key NSEAD member benefit, included in your subscription: members are only required to pay a nominal registration fee of £10 for the conference, and receive discounted rates for the summer gathering.

Non-members: £18.00 - £143.00

Register today