Five things to know about the National Saturday Club

The National Saturday Club gives 13–16-year-olds across the UK the opportunity to study subjects they love for free at their local university, college or cultural institution. Taking part is a unique opportunity for young people to explore their creativity, build their skills, develop their confidence, and to discover pathways to further study and future careers.

This year, across the national network, 2,000 young people will join 80 Saturday Clubs in 60 locations nationwide. This transformational programme of creative education is made possible by the energy and commitment of 350+ tutors, 370+ student assistants, and 500+ industry partners.

Cass Art supports the the National Saturday Club programme by donating 5% of every purchase made using the Cass Art Viridian discount for Artist Educators.

National Saturday Club Masterclass with Pentland Brands

Here’s five things you might not know about the National Saturday Club and how you can get involved...

1. It’s free for 13–16-year-olds of all abilities

The National Saturday Club is free, has no exams and offers 13–16-year-olds a unique opportunity to build their skills, discover their talents, develop their confidence, and explore pathways to further study and future careers.

With a particular focus on engaging young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and underrepresented communities, the National Saturday Club provides vital opportunities that many young people may not otherwise have access to.

National Saturday Club Masterclass with Arup

2. There are Saturday Clubs in locations nationwide

From Salford to Falmouth, Middlesbrough to Coventry, and London to Llanelli – young people across the country are spending Saturday mornings discovering subjects they love. This year, 2,000 young people will attend 80 Saturday Clubs hosted by 60 universities, colleges and cultural institutions nationwide.

Saturday Clubs are currently offered in six dynamic subjects: Art&Design, Fashion&Business, Film&Media, Science&Engineering, Society&Change and Writing&Talking.

Explore the National Saturday Club map. 

National Saturday Club Masterclass with Stiff and Trevellion

3. It’s a year-long programme of extracurricular activity

Throughout the academic year, National Saturday Club members attend weekly classes led by expert tutors at their local university, college or cultural institution. Club members also take part in national events including visits to leading cultural institutions, Masterclasses with industry professionals, a Summer Show exhibition of their work at London’s prestigious Somerset House, as well as an end-of-year Graduation Ceremony.

National Saturday Club Masterclass with Buttercrumble

4. The unique framework builds young people’s creative skills

Each Club encourages its members to explore their creativity and introduces them to the breadth of their chosen subject. For example, weekly classes at an Art&Design Club could span topics as varied as illustration, games design, ceramics, fine art, textiles and architecture.

Across all subjects, the programme takes a creative pedagogical approach and is proven to develop versatile skills such as imagination, persistence, discipline, inquisitiveness, collaboration, and resilience. Young people also develop socially and emotionally throughout the programme, growing in confidence and joining a community of like-minded people.

National Saturday Club Masterclass with Nike

5. It connects young people with the creative industries

A remarkable national network of further education, higher education, industry and the cultural sector work together in partnership to deliver the National Saturday Club programme.

The Masterclasses programme connects Clubs with industry experts, giving members and tutors rare access to some of the UK’s most creative minds. Past Masterclass givers include Alexander McQueen Studio, Sir Anthony Gormley, Sinta Tantra, Barnaby Barford, Nike (pictured above), Apple, Arup, PriestmanGoode and Es Devlin.

Cultural partners including Tate, the Design Museum, Somerset House, Barbican, and Yorkshire Sculpture Park offer incredible opportunities for National Saturday Club members to access their exhibitions and collections.

National Saturday Club visit to Tate

Feeling inspired? You can join the network!

The National Saturday Club is growing and you can get involved...

Start a Saturday Club at your university, college or cultural institution

For more information please contact paul@saturday-club.org

Lead a Masterclass for the National Saturday Club

For more information please contact toria@saturday-club.org

Encourage a 13–16-year-old to join their local Saturday Club

Find a Club near you and apply to join. 

Sign up for your Viridian Artist Educator discount 

Are you an Art & Design teacher, tutor or art therapist? Find out how to get your 10% Viridian Artist Educator discount at cassart.co.uk/arteducation.