Short Courses

This eight-week programme introduces practical techniques to build awareness, resilience and overall well-being. Through mindfulness practices such as meditation, gentle movement and group sharing, you will learn to manage stress and daily challenges with greater calm and clarity. Over the duration of the course, you will take on weekly sessions and a retreat, experiencing a structured way to cultivate mindfulness skills that improve focus, creativity and relationships. Open to individuals from all backgrounds, this course provides a supportive environment for personal growth and self-awareness.

Image credit: Ogata Korin, Irises, 1701-02, pair of folding screens, Wikimedia Commons, Nezu Art Museum This is an introductory course that explores Japan’s rich artistic heritage from the pre-modern to the modern period. Lectures and discussions will examine the cultural, historical and aesthetic contexts that shaped Japan’s traditions and its enduring influence. We will primarily discuss examples of visual culture, ranging from Jōmon pottery and Buddhist sculpture to opulent folding screens, Tale of Genji scrolls, Zen painting, Hokusai’s Ukiyo-e prints, and the pop art of Murakami and Yayoi Kusama. There will also be some discussion of performing arts and architecture. …

An introduction to the world of editing, this course teaches methods and strategies that help you become a better reader, with focused and perceptive ways of understanding the text in front of you. Mechanics—the nuts and bolts of how we write—and intentions—reason and purpose—matter equally when approaching a text with an editing eye. Lessons and discussion points are focused around the craft of reading and writing. We will look at how being a good editor requires a combination of distance and closeness, and how this translates into your writing life. Each week, a new topic will be introduced with examples …

This course offers an introduction to the craft of poetry, exploring elements such as form, voice, rhythm and the sonic impact of language. Through readings ranging from classical poetry to contemporary works, you will examine how poetic traditions have evolved, both building on established structures and breaking convention to create new forms of expression. Each session features guided discussions, readings and writing exercises that encourage you to explore how poetry uses sound, imagery, movement and space to convey meaning. Inspired by works such as Billy Collins’ Introduction to Poetry, the course invites you to approach poetry with curiosity, creativity and …

Why do products look so good in photographs? Learn the techniques and technicalities of studio product photography, from lighting to product placement and composition. Understand the fundamental principles and challenges of product photography and how to use a full range of studio equipment, while exploring how different products respond to different types of light.  

If you are interested and curious about arts and design, unleash your creativity in this workshop about zine-making. Through both design theory and crafty hands-on sessions, you will explore how to communicate ideas through printed matter. The core of this course focuses on the process of making a zine. You can grow your confidence and personal artistic voice through implementing art, writing, collage, comics and everything in between in crafting your DIY booklets. You will also learn about the history and culture of zines, and explore the conceptualisation process by exploring unique layouts and different binding techniques. Guided by a …

This is a craft-based photography training course where film will be used as an experiential learning tool. This course is a chance for budding photographers to learn to slow down, build confidence in manual shooting, train their exposure judgment, develop strong composition habits and teach visual discipline. You are to bring 10 digital photos to the first class that you think represent your photography. This course does not teach darkroom development.

This writing course builds on the foundations introduced in Writing 101, guiding you to deepen your understanding of language, structure and personal voice. Through the exploration of diverse writing forms—including essays, fiction, prose poetry and experimental or hybrid works—you will examine how meaning is shaped through style, structure and intention. Each session introduces key aspects of effective writing such as clarity of expression, grammar and sentence flow, transitions, editing techniques, pacing and narrative voice. You will engage in guided discussions, close reading of selected texts and weekly writing exercises designed to refine your craft and strengthen your authorial voice. Regular …

Learn to be more aware of your body in space and how to move with different dynamics in classes that focus on bodily release, organic movement and the connection between your centre and extremities. Classes progress weekly, and will provide you with approaches and techniques that build your core strength, posture, flexibility and musicality. Each session includes time on the floor (to focus on alignment and strength), movement (through travelling steps and jumps) and balance (curving with your body and shifting your weight). You will also tackle handstands and go upside-down. Every class ends with a short choreographed piece. For …

This is an intermediate course for participants who have attended the Travel Sketching Short Course and want to travel to destinations in Southeast Asia to practise their techniques and skills on location and gain experience as a travelling artist. Day 1 Arrive at Penang Sketch walk briefing and overview of course Day 2 Explore Little India and Love Lane, within George Town’s UNESCO World Heritage site Sketch walk I workshop: Breakfast at Little India Sketch walk II workshop: Strolling along Love Lane Day 3 Discover the Clan Jetties in Penang Sketch walk III workshop: Chew Jetty and the floating villages …

Be introduced to coloured pencil rendering techniques and learn about colour theory, optical mixing and compositional techniques. Explore the themes of still-life and portraits and learn to apply various shading and mark-making techniques using a limited colour palette and other complementary drawing media. This course is suitable for beginners and especially recommended for participants who have completed The Art of Coloured Pencil: An Introduction course.

Go back to basics with this course on learning to draw the human form. You will study the human figure with an emphasis on observing proportion, volume and light with fundamental exercises in gesture, contour and lines. Note: Classes will require you to observe a life nude model in drawing assignments. Applicants have to be strictly 18 years old and above. The prerequisite for level II and above courses is the completion of the previous level or prior experience Applicants who wish to join level II and have prior experience in figure drawing (charcoal as the art medium) are required …