‘Mindfulness for Life’ is an evidence-based, structured eight-week programme developed by the Oxford Mindfulness Foundation at the University of Oxford. It is designed to help learners develop sustainable mindfulness practices that support mental well-being, emotional resilience and greater self-awareness in daily life. Drawing on principles of cognitive therapy and mindfulness meditation, it provides practical skills for recognising habitual patterns of mind, managing stress and responding more skilfully to life’s challenges. Through guided meditations, gentle movement, cognitive exercises, group dialogue and daily home practice, you will gain practical tools to recognise unhelpful thought patterns, respond more skilfully to challenging emotions, and …

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. …

Be exposed to the history, tools and forms of penmanship and Western calligraphy. Have confidence in analysing current scripts and how they can alter existing styles. Participants will learn to design their own works, experiment with lettering systematically and use words as visuals to tell personal stories. Note: Course trainers are, on occasion, subject to change with short notice.

In this engaging and hands-on gouache painting course, participants will learn the techniques and skills necessary to create stunning anime backgrounds inspired by the iconic Studio Ghibli films. Throughout the course, students will gain an understanding of the key elements that make Ghibli backgrounds unique and explore various methods of using gouache paint to bring their own imaginative landscapes to life. Note: Course trainers are, on occasion, subject to change with short notice.

Expand your creative drawing skills with an intriguing dry art medium. Charcoal has unique characteristics that will help you discover your creativity through bold strokes, intricate marks and blending. Note: Course trainers are, on occasion, subject to change with short notice.

Spark your creativity by exploring and experiencing a whole wide range of mixed media styles and painting techniques. Note: Course trainers are, on occasion, subject to change with short notice.

Cultural heritage is not easy to define, but it involves the idea of practices or values relating to people’s lives that are passed down from one generation to another. It includes architecture (monuments and sites considered valuable from the point of view of history, art or science), physical objects (considered important for archaeology, prehistory, history, literature, art or science) and practices, representations, expressions, knowledge and skills—and items and cultural spaces associated with them—that communities, groups and individuals recognise as culturally important to them. In this course, we will examine how the law is used to safeguard cultural heritage. We will …

Explore the great architectural monuments and art of Southeast Asia with a focus on Indonesia and Cambodia. This course will survey the ideas, philosophies, literature and religious beliefs that shaped artistic development and achievement in the region. Learn more about some of the most powerful and culturally rich kingdoms and empires led by local rulers who styled themselves as god-kings (dewa-rajas) following their conversion to Hinduism and/or Buddhism.

Uncover the fundamentals of writing fiction with an eye on both the short story and the novel. An introductory writing workshop that will explore setting, point-of-view, dialogue, conflict, plot, tone, voice, character and genre. The course will reference contemporary fiction, film, television and other art forms that demonstrate fundamental lessons in narrative while simultaneously emphasising their operation in polished literary fiction. The prerequisite for level II is the completion of the previous level or prior experience.  Applicants who wish to join level II and have prior experience in fiction writing are required to submit writing portfolio for trainer’s review. Applicants …

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.

Beginners with little to no experience in digital creative software should take on this Short Course to learn the fundamentals of Affinity, a free professional design app that combines vector, pixel and layout tools in one platform. Through step-by-step instruction and guided practice, you will learn the essential tools, workflows, and concepts needed to navigate the software effectively. Skills are reinforced through short, hands-on creative projects that encourage experimentation and practical application. By the end of the course, you will: Design and export a small set of finished assets, including at least one poster, one postcard and a one-page flyer. …

  From generating visual concepts to illustrating designs on paper, take your jewellery idea to the next level with this course. Learn basic jewellery sketching and drawing techniques using colour pencils and artist gouache to illustrate gold, silver, diamonds and gemstones. The prerequisite for Level II is the completion of the previous level or prior experience. Applicants who wish to join Level II and have prior experience in jewellery illustration are required to submit artworks for the trainer’s review. Note: Course trainers are, on occasion, subject to change with short notice.