Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) has partnered with the National Saturday Club, becoming an official provider of free creative education for young people in the local community.
Starting this academic year, the University will open its world-class studios and facilities to 13–16-year-olds, offering them a unique opportunity to explore the arts, develop new skills, and discover pathways into higher education and the creative industries.
National Saturday Club is a UK-wide initiative that provides young people from all backgrounds the chance to study subjects they love at their local university, college, or museum for free.
By joining this prestigious network, AUB reaffirms its commitment to widening participation and fostering talent within the Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole area.
Bridging the gap to higher education, AUB’s National Saturday Club will focus on art and design, giving members access to specialist equipment and expert tuition that often exceeds what's available in a standard school curriculum.
Across 24 weeks, participants will explore three powerful themes: Identity, Worlds, and Student Voice. Through hands-on workshops ranging from traditional fine art and sculpture to digital media and design-led problem-solving, via collaborative projects and individual creative work, the participants will experiment with materials, develop ideas, build skills, and discover how creativity can be used to tell stories, explore who they are, imagine new futures, and speak about what matters to them.
“We are thrilled to become a partner of the National Saturday Club,” says Pete McKinley, AUB Academy Manager. “At AUB, we believe that creativity should be accessible to everyone. By welcoming young people onto our campus, we hope to demystify higher education, build their confidence, and show them that a rewarding career in the creative industries is within their reach.”
Off campus, AUB’s National Saturday Club will offer members the opportunity to work with industry leading professionals and high-profile artists, while the end-of-term Summer Show at London’s Somerset House will see them showcase their work alongside National Saturday Club members from across the UK in a professional gallery setting.
Pete adds, “The programme is designed not only to teach technical skills but also to encourage critical thinking, collaboration, and self-expression. As the creative sector continues to be one of the UK’s fastest-growing industries, the AUB National Saturday Club provides a vital stepping stone for students to explore their potential without financial barriers.”
Applications for the National Saturday Club at Arts University Bournemouth are now open. The club is free to attend and is aimed at young people of all abilities aged 13–16.
