Help Us Deliver The Margate School’s Art & Design Saturday Club
The Art & Design Saturday Club offers 13-16 year olds,
particularly those from diverse backgrounds, a unique, free opportunity to explore alternative art and design education, delivered by supportive and fantastic local artists and practitioners. Through collaborative projects and hands-on workshops, we empower young people to build confidence, find their voices, develop creative skills, and discover pathways into further education and creative careers. All designed to inspire the next generation of creative talent.
(The Margate School National Saturday Club artwork, exhibited at the Somerset House National Exhibition in July 2024)
“Being able to express myself freely in a Club where the teaching is more collaborative has helped me develop my skills.” — Club Member
After the success of our pilot, we’re planning an exciting new 2025 curriculum. We’re almost at full capacity with club members, but we need your help to deliver the best possible programme.
As part of the National Saturday Club network, which has been running since 2009, Club members will be able to take part in national events. These include masterclasses with leading industry professionals and the summer exhibition and graduation at Somerset House, London on 13 - 15 July 2025. All for free.
“Attending the Saturday Club has changed my outlook on the future 100%.” — Club Member
('Expressions of Self' Project)
Why Your Support Matters
We’ve already secured £10,000 from the Helen Hamlyn Trust, but we really need to raise another £15,000 to ensure we can fund the full 15-week program. We’re applying for additional grants and funding wherever we can, but your donations — no matter the size — will make a huge difference.
We are also actively collaborating with artists and designers to raise funds, such as fashion designer Stuart Trevor and musician Carl Barat and many others. We’re planning various exciting fundraising events in support of the NSC’s mission. More details on this very soon!
Why Art Education Matters
‘‘In the 10 years after 2009, spending per pupil in England fell by nearly 10% in real terms. As support staff have been cut, overstretched teachers have less capacity to run choirs or put on school plays…Because arts subjects require space and resources, they are often most vulnerable to budget cuts.’’ - The Guardian view on arts education: a creativity crisis | Editorial
As funding cuts continue, creative courses are often the first to be reduced, leaving young people — especially from underprivileged backgrounds — with fewer opportunities to explore professional artistic careers. Art is being squeezed out of the national curriculum, and many students are unaware of the exciting creative paths available to them. Our Saturday Club helps bridge this gap, providing local students with the art education they deserve. As the only National Saturday Club for art and design in Kent, your support is vital to ensuring that creativity has a future in our community.
Here’s how your contribution will help:
- Specialised Teaching: Pay for tutors to lead workshops in graphic design, textiles, ceramics, photography, video art, and more.
- Materials & Equipment: Fund the tools and resources needed to bring ideas to life.
- Trips & Excursions: Cover costs for educational trips to Somerset House, galleries, and artist studios.
- Operational Costs: Help with general running expenses so we can deliver the best possible program.
All donations go directly to The Margate School and, if you’re a taxpayer, don’t forget to fill in Gift Aid — it adds 25% to your donation at no extra cost!
Why It’s a Great Idea
- A unique opportunity in Kent: Offering free, extracurricular creative education for young people from diverse backgrounds.
- Local Impact: Building community ties, fostering creativity, local pride and promoting social inclusion.
- Skill development: The members will gain specialist practical and theoretical training in art and design, learning about a range of artists, techniques and exploring new ideas and concepts
- Build confidence and find their voice: Develop their teamwork and communication skills in a creative and nurturing environment. We will help them develop a platform for expressing themselves both personally and collectively.
- Future pathways: Gain better understanding of the wide range of creative careers and pathways, they could take, eg. through further education, equipping them with the tools and knowledge to pursue them.
- Inspiration and exposure: Visits to Somerset House and local galleries/studios, as well as opportunities to learn from a range of creative professionals.
The Club will run 15 sessions during term time, culminating in an exhibition at Somerset House in London and at the Margate Festival of Design.
('Expressions of Self' Project)
The Plan
- August-January: Recruitment and fundraising
- November-December: Finalise timetable and confirm tutors
- January: Saturday Club starts
- Spring: Masterclass trip
- July: Graduation & exhibition at Somerset House
- July-August: Project evaluation and follow-up
- October: Exhibition at Margate Festival of Design
Join Us in Shaping the Future of Young Creatives
Your donation will help bring this transformative opportunity to young people in Kent. The Margate Schools theme of Art, Society, Nature aims to provide socially engaged and sustainably driven programs, enabling students to realise their potential through meaningful interactions with the wider community and the natural world. Please see the links below for more information on what we achieved last year.
Thank you for supporting their creative futures!
Somerset House Exhibition July 2024
(Screen Printing Project)