Shape your artistic future at these 5 best art schools in Newcastle, UK
At some point, we convinced ourselves that art was either a natural talent or not worth pursuing seriously. You were either “gifted” or just someone who doodles occasionally, even after walking through a few inspiring art galleries.
But watching people improve with proper guidance changed that perspective quickly. Technique, practice, and feedback are skills that can actually be developed over time, not just admired from a distance.
Looking into an art school in Newcastle, UK, made it clear that creativity is something you can grow. So for anyone wanting to explore or sharpen their artistic side, we rounded up schools that help turn interest into real skill.
How much do art classes cost in Newcastle?
Art classes in Newcastle typically cost between £80 and £300 for short courses. Full-time degree programmes can range from around £17,000 to £20,000+ per year for international students.
1. Newcastle Arts Centre
Address: 67 Westgate Rd, NE1 1SG
Contact Details: +441912615618
Business Hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 9:30 AM – 5 PM
Newcastle Arts Centre has been around since 1981, operating from a cluster of historic buildings that now house galleries and a performance venue. It runs independently without regular public funding, which explains the strong community-driven setup.
Short courses here focus on hands-on practice, covering painting, life drawing, and printmaking in modular formats. Sessions are priced clearly, with life drawing at around £17 and workshops typically between £30 and £60.
Also, course themes go beyond the usual basics, with options like surreal painting and illumination art. These aren’t part of a fixed syllabus, so the learning feels more exploratory than structured.
Life drawing sessions run regularly, including evening “Life Drawing Late” events that feel both social and skill-focused. The space also includes an art supply shop and framing service, so materials and finishing work are handled onsite.
At the same time, there’s no formal accreditation or degree pathway here, which limits its use for career progression.
The staff are quite nice and patient
“Had an amazing time listening to jazz music at their jazz bar tonight! The environment is great, the staff are quite nice and patient, the singer has a beautiful voice, and the musicians are very chill and skilled as well. Also, the aisle to the bathroom and the bathroom have amazing mosaic tile paintings, so impressive. Would come back here. If you are looking for a cozy underground bar with fantastic live music and cozy environment, make sure don’t miss this place. It will surprise you. Btw, tickets are 10 pounds online and 12 pounds at the door.”
- E. H., Google Review
10/10 customer service
“Lad in the shop was extremely helpful (stripey shirt, brown hair, didn’t get his name). 10/10 customer service, directed us to what we were after, offered advice on the products and felt he was genuinely engaged. The blonde lady in the cafe made me a lovely coffee and also seemed genuinely happy to be there. 11/10.”
- Hannah Godfrey, Google Review
2. SA Performing Arts Centre
Address: Potts St, Byker, NE6 1ED
Contact Details: +441912245604
Business Hours:
- Monday: 8 AM – 8:30 PM
- Tuesday to Friday: 8 AM – 5 PM
- Saturday: 8:45 AM – 4:30 PM
- Sunday: 9:15 AM – 2 PM
SA Performing Arts Centre has been running since 2015, combining a children’s centre with a structured performing arts academy. Training focuses on dance, drama, and musical theatre.
Classes follow a weekly schedule with ongoing enrolment, usually costing around £5 to £10 per session after a free trial week. However, there’s no provision for painting or design, which limits options for those looking for broader art forms.
Even so, their youth academy is split by age groups, from toddlers to teens, creating a clear progression. This setup feels closer to a long-term training system, where students build skills over several years.
Students train across acting, dance, and musical theatre in one programme, reflecting how performers work in real productions. Learning leads to staged shows at venues like People’s Theatre, where tickets are typically around £15.
Rehearsals are group-based, focusing on ensemble work and full productions instead of solo practice. From experience, the structure feels output-driven, and it works well for those serious about stage performance.
Fantastic experiences over the years
“My youngest daughter has been attending SA Performing Arts stage school since she was 3 years old, & my eldest daughter attended from the age of 5 to 15. I honestly cannot recommend it highly enough. Both of my girls have benefitted from some fantastic experiences over the years, working with amazing teachers & industry professionals, & taking part in countless productions. They have both made some lovely friends, & I have always felt that there is a really positive atmosphere, & that all children are supported & encouraged to showcase their talents. I wouldn’t send my children anywhere else. I only wish there had been somewhere like it around when I was younger. It is a truly amazing place.”
- Lydia Nelson, Google Review
Receive high-quality teaching
“I can’t recommend SA Performing Arts highly enough. My two boys have been training at SA since the ages of 5 and 7, and have had the best experience. They receive high quality teaching in dance, drama and singing in the most nurturing of environments. Both boys have excelled in all three areas, and have had the opportunity to take on additional dance classes in ballet and tap. Their confidence has improved generally in all aspects of life. They have also been signed to the casting part of SA ‘SA castings’ and have had multiple tapes, auditions, and work through SA Castings, but without huge pressure on them. A bit shout out to Lou, Lucy and the whole team at SA!”
- Rachel Gore, Google Review
3. Turpentyne Fine Art Classes & Art Supply
Address: 10 Ashburton Rd, Gosforth, NE3 4XN
Contact Details: +441919084458
Business Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 4 PM – 7 PM
- Saturday: 10 AM – 4 PM
Turpentyne runs as both a fine art school and supply shop, with studios in Gosforth and Whitley Bay. Classes follow a term-based system and cover ages from 4 to adults.
Lessons focus on technical skills like observational drawing and colour theory. Students work on portraiture and landscapes, which feels closer to academic fine art training than casual workshops.
Each student follows an individual plan based on skill level, so progress doesn’t depend on the group pace. Sessions run weekly, with adult classes around £20 for two hours or £100 for five weeks.
Moreover, materials are included in the fees, covering mediums like charcoal, watercolour, and oil paint. Having the supply shop on-site also means tools and framing are easy to sort during the course.
Classes stay small, so guidance is direct and corrections happen in real time, making improvement noticeable. One limitation is that digital art isn’t part of the curriculum, so it doesn’t support skills like illustration or design software.
Been developing their skills very well
“My two daughters have their classes for years and its been brilliant. They love their classes and been developing their skills very well.”
- Jobin Mathew Joseph, Google Review
Friendly and talented instructors
“Nice small classroom, friendly, talented instructors. Good stock of art supplies.”
- Robyn Allwright, Google Review
4. Qbicart Interdisciplinary Art School
Address: 5, Watergate Buildings, 58 Sandhill, NE1 3RG
Contact Details: +905314948443
Business Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 9 AM – 9 PM
Qbicart has been operating globally since around 2017, with workshops in Newcastle and other cities like London and Paris.
Their programmes mix disciplines such as drawing, ecology, and sound-based activities within a single session. Some workshops even include robotics or chess elements, shifting the focus from technique to concept-building.
Classes take place in different environments, including museums, parks, and public spaces. However, most programmes are designed for children from age two, which limits their appeal for adults seeking structured training.
Still, we love that signature courses like “Museum Safari” and “Wearable Art” mix art with movement and design thinking, which feels quite different from standard classes.
Sessions can be taken in groups, one-to-one, or online, with a free demo lesson before enrolment. The mix of artists and scientists in the teaching team adds variety, and it’s something we found genuinely engaging overall.
Attentive communication
“This is a highly successful organization that connects children with art in every setting, tailoring its programs to each family. Their ability to truly listen to families’ needs and desires and create solutions accordingly is invaluable. They strive to meet the expectations of every child and family by developing new methods and tools. Most importantly, they have a child-centered approach. Programs are shaped according to the child’s interests, rhythm, and development. Implementing this approach with the right instructors greatly enhances the quality of the environment. They are a team that supports children’s creativity, connects them with art naturally, and maintains strong and attentive communication with families. Being a part of such an organization is truly invaluable.”
- Merve Keles, Google Review
Profound experience
“It was a great experience for my 5-year-old daughter. We attended a workshop at the Baltic Museum in Newcastle. My daughter was already used to going to museums, but contemplating and pondering the works, and experiencing the confidence to share her interpretations with her friends, was a much more profound experience. Thank you, qbicart!”
- Gülce Kantürer, Google Review
5. ClassBento
Address: Level 3, Business Centre, Clavering Pl, NE1 3NG,
Contact Details: +447830303084
Business Hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 9 AM – 9 PM
ClassBento launched in 2016 and expanded to the UK in 2020, operating as a workshop marketplace. It connects students with independent artists across Newcastle, offering access to thousands of classes globally.
Classes cover painting and craft-based sessions, with typical prices between £30 and £90 per booking. Most sessions run for 60 to 90 minutes, which makes them easy to fit into a busy schedule.
We appreciate that bookings are done online, where you can filter by price, time, and then join public or private sessions. Workshops can take place in studios, cafés, or even at home through mobile bookings.
Some classes include material kits for online sessions, while others run as social formats like paint and sip events. It’s a fun and engaging setup that everyone can join.
Instructors vary from hobbyists to specialists, so the teaching style changes depending on who you book. Just note that there are no formal qualifications or certificates offered, which affects those planning a professional art path.
It was a great experience
“I had booked a pottery class gift card at new dawn pottery in Manchester. It was a great experience and something new to try, I would definitely reccomend this as a gift for someone to do together, I had booked it for a Father’s Day present but hadn’t redeemed it until the November time, the expiration date on the gift card was 3 years so gives a lot of flexibility to when to do the activity. Class bento made it so easy to understand and gave lots of information would definitely book something via them again !”
- Carla Tudor, Google Review
Very therapeutic and engaging
“I attended the eco resin class by Chelsea Southern through Class Bento, and had an amazing experience! My sister got a gift voucher for my birthday and I must I thoroughly enjoyed the session. It was very therapeutic and engaging. There were plenty of refreshments including hot drinks which made the whole experience even better!”
- Syeda Shah, Google Review