Porthmeor Programme 2026

What will I do in the sessions?

Workshops run Friday – Sunday so students can travel from across the UK to join us. They always have a practical making element as we believe we learn best through making and doing, although we also build in time to reflect, discuss and critique. These sessions explore five key themes:

1. Encouraging risk and experimentation.
2. Exploring personal narratives and stories.
3. Responding to places, personal spaces and connections.
4. Refining and removing to discover the essence.
5. Translation and interpretation.

The process will take you on a journey over the year with the primary purpose of expanding your personal practice. Running through the programme is the development of your critical voice through personal projects, one to ones and group crits. Developing confidence in translation and interpretation is also a ‘creative muscle’ worked on constantly over the course of the year.

Will I be taught new skills?

Each workshop is designed to enhance your skills and empower you to push your creative boundaries, The sessions are varied and you will come across a new technique or nugget of information that you can bring into your practice but the focus is not about painting skills. It is about discovery, taking risks and gaining insights. We design the sessions to limber up your creative practice, to energise and to build the critical voice you need as an artist.

How much contact time is there with tutors?

The lead tutor will be there every weekend and there will also be a guest tutor running the creative workshop over two of the days. There will be a number of one to ones over the programme as well as group crits with your peers. In between sessions the tutor is not physically available, but our bespoke online course management programme provides a platform for students to discuss and share their work, offering peer support and encouragement. The final weekend session with your lead tutor will be a chance to reflect on your journey and to plan your next steps.

What happens when the programme ends?

We programme in a number of long weekends exclusively for alumni for those that feel they would like to touch base again and refresh. After that we have a number of offers including artist retreats ranging from five days to a weekend, the opportunity to hire one of our studios with a one to one crit, as well as some online meet ups. 

Who is it for?

We cater for a range of students from early stage artists to those with more experience looking to challenge and stimulate their practice. We believe that developing a strong practice is where you start. The focus is not on the secrets of getting gallery representation or making a living as an artist, or even on how to improve your painting technique. It is about helping you become the artist you want to be. This is the first most critical and exciting step, and we believe this is what we can help you with. The time goes very quickly on the programme and you will get the most out of it only if you can invest in your practice in between the sessions to develop work, experiment and research.

How is it structured?

Over 8 weekends, you will enjoy a mix of individual tutorials and guidance from our lead tutors, accompanied by a structured and varied creative programme taught by our guest artists.

The weekends run over three days, 4-6 weeks apart, with a break in the Summer.

Who else will be on the programme?

Every year is different. We have had new graduates to people who have retired and now have the space to devote to their creative practice. We have had textile artists to filmmakers, those with degrees and MAs to those who have developed their practice from doing short courses. Many people travel to St Ives to do the programme. People have travelled from London, Wales and all parts of the South West. Whatever age, background or experience you will all be there for the same aim of unlocking the artist you want to be. Your peers will often become a solid group of support that you can take with you far beyond the length of the programme.

How much does it cost?

£415/ weekend (£3,320) with an instalment option if required.

The fee includes tuition and your materials during the workshop weekends in our studios in St. Ives.

What will I do in the sessions?

The workshops, run online over set weekends, always have a practical making element as we believe we learn best through making and doing, although we also build in time to reflect, discuss and critique.

The overall process will take you on a journey over the 10 months, with the primary purpose of expanding your personal practice. Running through the programme is the development of your critical voice through personal projects, one to ones and group crits. You will learn to develop key ‘creative muscles’, experience risk taking and experimentation, alongside the art of translation and interpretation.

Will I be taught new skills?

The sessions are varied, and most people will come across a new technique or nugget of information they will find valuable. However, the primary focus is not on developing your painting skills in these sessions. It is about discovery, taking risks and gaining insights.

We design the sessions to limber up your creative practice, to energize and to build the critical voice you need as an artist. We are happy to advise you on our shorter courses online and face to face studio courses that offer a range of practical skills development.

How much contact time is there with tutors?

Every 4-6 weeks there will be a weekend workshop, a small group follow on discussion, and you will have a personal one to one tutorial.

We will also have an online platform for your group to discuss and share work on, offering peer support and encouragement.

What happens when the programme ends?

You will retain access to your group platform for three months after the programme ends, including all the recordings of your live sessions.

You will also be eligible to join our long weekend studio sessions in St Ives, exclusively for alumni who would like to touch base again and refresh. These sessions incorporate a practical workshop and individual tutorial sessions. After that we have several offers including artist retreats ranging from five days to a weekend.

Who is it for?

We cater for a range of students from early stage artists to those with more experience looking to challenge and stimulate their practice. We believe that developing a strong practice is where you start.

The focus is not on the secrets of getting gallery representation or making a living as an artist, or even how to improve your painting technique. It is about helping you become the artist you want to be. This is the first most critical and exciting step and we believe this is what we can help you with.

How is it structured?

Over 10 months, you will enjoy a mix of individual tutorials and guidance from our lead tutors, accompanied by a structured and varied creative programme taught by both lead and guest artists. Your lead tutor will follow up with the group after each of the 8 workshop weekends, to maximise your learning.

Who else will be on the programme?

Every year is different. We have had new graduates to people who have retired and now have the space to devote to their creative practice. We have had textile artists to filmmakers, those with degrees and MAs to those who have developed their practice from taking short courses.

There will be a maximum of 12 spaces, so the cohort will be small. Whatever age, background or experience you will all be there for the same aim of unlocking the artist you want to be. Your peers will often become a solid group of support that you can take with you far beyond the length of the programme. To ensure the programme is the right choice for you we recommend you give us a call to talk it through before booking your space.

How much does it cost?

£2,320

Instalment options available if required.

Alison Cook

We caught up with Alison Cook, an alumnus of the Porthmeor Programme Online, as she talks through her practice.

Gwynne Penny

We caught up with Gwynne Penny, whilst visiting ‘Ebb & Flow’, one of three successful exhibitions put on by MAC | RAGS.

Sue Watt

We caught up with Porthmeor Programme alumnus Sue Watt to get an insight into life before, during and after the programme.