Discover the benefits of lifelong learning at the RCA

What is the importance of lifelong learning?

Peter: As traditional job roles evolve, there is an urgent need to adopt a culture of lifelong learning. Being able to continually update your skills and knowledge allows you to remain competitive and adaptable in ever changing industries.

Each year our masterclasses and short courses introduce new content, course leaders and approaches that reflect the themes of next-generation knowledge and skills.

Clara Gaggero Westaway from Special Projects, Adam Hollingworth photography

Could you give some examples of this?

Peter: Two of our most enduring executive level masterclasses have recently been refreshed by new course leaders with new dates for April and May 2025.

Our Design Thinking & Innovation in Practice, which was created by Jeremy Myerson in 2017, has been reinvigorated by RCA alumnus, Clara and Adrian from Special Projects. They bring years of experience running an award winning design agency and share their expertise and thought leadership on design thinking, human-centred design, and sustainable innovation.

Dr Nicolas Rebolledo became the course leader of our online Service Design masterclass which has been running since 2019. He has reinvented the previous masterclass based on his current research and practice, which explores how design creates value in large organisations within regulated industries. The course also includes invited speakers from industry such as practitioner Eva Guerra, offering valuable real-world insights and perspectives.

RCA Building A Successful Global Creative Business, Adam Hollingworth photography

What makes RCA Executive Education courses stand out?

Hattie: The calibre of our course leaders is outstanding. Whether RCA tutors or alumni, they bring years of practical experience in applying what they teach, as well as methods and approaches informed by the latest research and developments in their fields. Participants benefit from the RCA's world-renowned research and expertise in art and design.

We also offer the opportunity to make new connections and build professional networks. Whether that is through fellow participants on courses, or the guest speakers we are able to invite.

As well as the incredible RCA tutors or alumni you are taught by, our courses also include prominent speakers from the art and design industries – such as Refik Anadol, Kaws, Olaf Eliasson and Dori Tunstall. In the past, courses have included visits to places like Tate Modern and Somerset House, as well as more unique experiences like hearing Es Devlin discuss her work in her kitchen.

RCA Building A Successful Global Creative Business, Adam Hollingworth photography

Who would benefit from RCA Executive Education courses?

Peter: Participants in our courses are extremely varied. We cater to experienced, international professionals who are looking to develop their skill set and broaden their creative portfolio, as well as people looking to try something new, change their career, or study something they have always been passionate about.

Joining a course you might be sitting in a room with lawyers, GPs, CEOs and founders. This mixture creates a really dynamic learning environment.

RCA Executive Education Workshop, credit Ezzidin Alwan

Are there any courses suitable for those who might be considering studying at the RCA but unable to join a year-long MA programme, or for those looking to refresh their creative practice?

Peter: Our summer courses are a great way to explore your options before committing to a postgraduate programme. They offer valuable insights into the RCA’s MA programmes, helping you make informed decisions about your future.

Each year, RCA short courses introduce new themes that address key issues and cutting-edge approaches.

Hattie: This year the Curating Contemporary Art and Design summer course starting in July 2025 will explore publishing as an expanded curatorial practice and ask pertinent questions about why we publish.

Led by new course leader RCA alumni Elisabeth Del Prete, in the past we have invited guest talks from established institutions include the Museum of Modern Art, Tate, V&A museum and Somerset House as well as influential contemporary galleries and commissioners like Art on the Underground, Eastside Projects, Open School East, Cubitt Gallery and UP Projects.

The theme of this year’s Contemporary Art Summer School, led by performance artist and academic research Dr Despina Zacharopoulou, suggests a reimagining of contemporary art practice via processes of redoing, repeating, mutating, self-referencing and rethinking, that might give birth to new artistic paradigms. By fostering non-rational, embodied and sensuous knowledge-generative methodologies, the RCA Summer School continues its focus on individual and independent practice.

RCA and Tate Modern, credit Ezzidin Alwan

How do participants apply the skills and experience they gain from courses?

Hattie: Our masterclasses prove invaluable to individuals who return to jobs reinvigorated with new ideas and ways of working, or continue their creative practice with a renewed passion and sense of connection to their field. You can read some of their testimonies here.

Participation in our summer schools often leads to further study on Master’s programmes at the College. For example, participants in the Contemporary Art Summer School have joined the Painting, Sculpture and Contemporary Art Practice MA programmes and the Typography summer course has led others to join the Visual Communication MA programme.

Additionally, the Art & Design Portfolio Development short course is great preparation for applicants to the RCA’s Graduate Diploma in Art & Design. We have seen individuals make journeys like Daisy Ye, who graduated in 2024 from the Painting MA programme having completed both the Graduate Diploma Art & Design and Portfolio short course at the College.

RCA Building A Successful Global Creative Business, Adam Hollingworth photography