I have an BA Honours degree Humanities with Art History (2003) with the Open University, and have been a member of Bath u3a since 2017. I have been an Art History group leader since 2018, and since 2022, the Subject Adviser for Art History and Art Appreciation. Recently, I have set up a a new group for new members who want to start learning about art, sharing interests in art, initially with all members talking about any item or artist, for up to 5 minutes or longer if they wish. With images suggetsed by them and included in a presentaion with a number of slides. There are almost 500 u3a Art History, Art Appreciation, Talking About Art, Art Detectives and other group versions in the UK, of what we do, that is, importantly, finding out about art. Some groups only visit galleries and stately homes, seeing and appreciating art. The Art History groups tend to spend time researching and sharing that with their group, although some groups have talks entirely by their group leader, although these are few in number. Many do some of both, galleries and talks. Whichever your group does, it is finding out about and getting the most from art, and that’s the important bit.
My role is to provide :
- Support new leaders, or members wishing to start a new group, by providing advice on start up, and operation
- Support for existing Art History leaders, looking for new ideas and providing added interest in their group.
- Stimulating group members’ interaction and discussion around Art History and Art Appreciation
- To share ideas from other groups, including help with research and information, improving presentations, and alternative ideas for the format of group talks.
- To help new u3a members get in touch with their local group/s. The u3a has a webpage for each UK region at u3a - Regional u3a Websites start here and you will find a map to locate your region, click on the icon for your region and you, will see another map to locate your local area u3s. If you need more help, then email me and I will reply to you direct.
A new u3a Blog for sources to share, inspire and learn
Tell us about your group in the Blog, with photos of your group. If you want to tell us about interesting talks and artists, you can include details of research, for others to follow up. Any useful ideas you want to pass on to other groups, will also be useful.
Helpful tips for Starting a New Art History of Art Appreciation group
If you are considering starting a new group, here are a few ideas to get you started: