Case study: Contemporary Art Summer School 2023

Course Team

Gallery of participants work

Adriana Jaros, Efimero

Amelia Cross, She is safe

“Clichés aside, this course is life-changing. The course leader and RCA tutors create a safe space for you as an artist to try new things, share ideas and challenge yourself to create a high quality piece of work in a limited time. The workshops and lectures are so rich with current references and introductions to creative software. The individual tutorials and group crits offer genuine constructive feedback on your work which is priceless. Having the opportunity to directly ask questions to RCA's first class network of lecturers, artists, practitioners and curators was invaluable. This course has been integral to defining my own art practice and I finished the course feeling excited for the future. A big thank you to Despina, Billy and team!”

Amelia Cross, UK Contemporary Art Summer School 2023

Martin Sommer

Carol Hartman

“This summer program definitely helped me to search within myself and to deepen the aesthetic value of my work. The instructors were excellent and the friendships with other student invaluable!”

Carol Hartman, US Contemporary Art Summer School 2023

Adriana Jaros, Efimero

Cece Liu, This is a Story About Control

“CASS really exceeded my expectations. The extremely tight and regimented coursework gave so much freedom while maintaining structure, it really gave me the framework with which to think about my growing practice.”

Cece Liu, US Contemporary Art Summer School 2023

Limin Xu, Connection

“I received very insightful, inspired, and thoughtful critiques from Billy during the course, helping to rethink the concept and relationships of the subject matter of my work. The programme creates a dynamic and vivid virtual space for students from all over the world to learn not only from the tutors and invited artists but also from the group and form an organic artists community. It's such a unique experience for me to learn and continue to explore approaches in contemporary art practice.”

Limin Xu, China Contemporary Art Summer School 2023

Elaine Pollen, Beach scene with unicorn

“The course exceeded my expectations. I really feel that my understanding of who I am as an artist expanded beyond what I had previously imagined which has opened up possibilities for new or deeper ways of creating”

Elaine Pollen, Australia Contemporary Art Summer School 2023

German Fernandez, Room Creatures

“A short and intense mind-blowing, eye-opening course to delve into your practice through constant and rigorous assessment, challenging yet encouraging, where they gave me the framework to develop my work critically, all in a environment of diversity and inclusion that ignites reasoned feedback and questioning of the artistic practice as a whole.”

German Fernandez, UAE Contemporary Art Summer School 2023

Imal Silva, Playtime with my pet monster

“The programme helped me expand my thought process and opened up new tools to further my practice. The in-house and guest faculty as well as admin staff were amazing. Giving us the needed attention at all times. The programme has given me the confidence to explore further and strive for best practices as a contemporary artist.”

Imal Silva, Nigeria Contemporary Art Summer School 2023

Rachel Ventom, Cradled

“I have learnt so much, I am still taking it all in. The course has been such a rich resource into so many diverse, creative possibilities. It has expanded my awareness of using a wider range of creative mediums in my work, such as sound and text to enhance meaning. I am really inspired to explore and experiment with the ideas I have gained in developing my work further.”

Rachel Ventom, UK Contemporary Art Summer School 2023

Salina Jane, Sowing the Seed