Introduction to Tate Britain
Course Code: VB225
Duration: 6 sessions (over 7 weeks)
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What is the course about?
This course provides an introduction to the wide range of artworks within the British collection at Tate Britain at Millbank. The course will explore specific works by historical, modern and contemporary artists in relation to wider cultural and social contexts. The aim of the course is to develop confidence and visual literacy skills when looking at and discussing art in London’s galleries. We will explore the development of British art from the 16th century to the present day. We will examine the work of prominent artists from each period and reflect on how their work has influenced that of later practitioners.
What will we cover?
• Main themes and developments in British Art through a broad chronological approach.
• Focus on specific artists and their work in the Collection.
• The impact of the First and Second World Wars on the development of British art.
• Key examples of modern and contemporary artworks at Tate Britain.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Describe at least two central themes in the history of British art.
• Have increased awareness of advances and developments in British art in relation to wider cultural and social contexts.
• Express a viewpoint and analysis about selected works of art in Tate Britain with confidence.
• Recognise at least three key artists and their work at Tate Britain.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable for all levels.
You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The course will be taught with a mixture of guided gallery visits, group discussion and short group activities. Handouts will be provided by your tutor, made available digitally on Google Classroom to support your learning on the course.
This course takes place offsite in London. Offsite courses take place during public access hours. Tutors are not able to control sound levels or behaviours of visitors outside of the course group. Unless you are a wheelchair user, and have confirmed access details with us (as levels of access can vary between buildings), you will need to be able to walk between sites and stand for some time while looking at them (you may bring your own portable stool if you have one, but we cannot guarantee access to seating offsite.) If you feel you may be impacted by these environmental variations, please inform the department on humanities@citylit.ac.uk before the course begins, to discuss reasonable accommodations we can make to assist your learning in offsite.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Admission to Tate Britain’s permanent collection is free. This course will not include visits to any paid temporary exhibitions.
You might wish to bring a notebook. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list given out in class. You might want to invest in a portable gallery stool.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Art in Britain 1890-1918: New English Art Club to WWI
Art in Britain 1918-1945 – The Interwar years and WWII
Art in Britain 1950-2000: This is Tomorrow, (Part 1)
Introduction to Tate Modern.
Chantal Condron has worked widely in the public and private arts sector for over 25 years including at the Government Art Collection, Tate, Sotheby's, Visiting Arts and University of London Library. She holds a BA in History of Art & Architecture from the University of East Anglia; and an MA in History of Art & Archaeology from SOAS, University of London. Chantal is currently the curator of public engagement at the Government Art Collection where her recent projects include delivering the public programme for Ways of Seeing, the loan of almost 70 artworks to unusual public spaces in Waltham Forest London Borough of Culture. As curator of modern and contemporary art, she led art programmes at the University of Hull, Whitechapel Gallery, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery and Ulster Museum, Belfast; and she has presented art talks widely in the UK and abroad. In 2019, her book, 'Peter Hedegaard', the first monograph on the Danish abstract artist, was published by Rocket Gallery, London.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.