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The school year is beginning again, but learning should be a lifelong process, whether you’re in education or not. There is always a new skill to be learnt, a new craft to hone and a new passion to discover. We’ve rounded up some of the best courses and workshops in the North to give you a bit of inspiration in the pursuit of knowledge, experience and fulfilment.
Languages are a great place to start and in Manchester there are two cultural and education institutes that are bringing excellent teaching as well as exhibitions, film clubs, lectures and debates to the public. Alliance Française and Instituto Cervantes are the place to go for those wanting to learn French or Spanish. Based on Portland Street and Deansgate, they integrate a range of courses with cultural and social events that give you the opportunity to converse with others in both languages.
Learning a craft or practising an artistic skill is a great way to sooth your head by occupying your hands. Try your hand at pottery with Seven Limes and Earth Pig, these two studios have a range of courses that will teach you different techniques and allow you to develop your own pottery making beyond the sessions. Over in Yorkshire, you can expand your skill set with stone carving in Halifax, jewellery making in Hebden Bridge or blacksmithing in Sheffield.
In Liverpool, Zap Graffiti is encouraging people to pick up a can and create impressive street scale pieces of art. You can join them for one off workshops or as a group. In contrast to the fast paced, high energy graffiti, why not join Life Drawing Manchester for a relaxed and informal evening of thoughtful drawing.
For something that doesn’t involve getting your hands dirty, we recommend the Manchester based, School of Comedy at the Frog and Bucket. This eight week course is the perfect way to get started on the stand-up scene and launch yourself in comedy. Laughs however, aren’t the only way to get a crowd going. Learn the ropes of DJing at DJ Gym in Manchester and go from total beginner to performing your first sets with an audience.
This is just a sample of the courses and workshops on offer in the North, scroll down to find out more.
Here are our picks
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1. Half Day Cyanotype Printing Workshop at MCDC
cyanotype workshop Half Day Cyanotype Workshop at Manchester Craft & Design Centre, Manchester, 6–29 March 2023, from £45.00 - Book now
Throughout March Victoria Glover will be hosting bi-weekly Cyanotype Printing workshops at Manchester Craft and Design Centre.
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2. Drawing course with Nina Hunter
via Leeds Inspired Drawing course with Nina Hunter at The Tetley, Until 8 February 2023, from £170.00 - Book now
Join the Tetley and Nina Hunter for a six week course where your drawing skills will be expanded, developed, pushed and utilised.
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3. Write Like A Grrrl: Ignite
via Leeds Inspired Write Like A Grrrl: Ignite at Headingley Enterprise and Arts Centre, Leeds, Until 23 February 2023, from £59.99 - Book now
Develop your creative writing skills amongst a community of supportive and enthusiastic womxn, at Heart in Leeds.
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4. Alliance Française de Manchester
Alliance Française de Manchester, 125 Portland St,, Manchester, M1 4QD - Visit now
Manchester’s cultural Francophile hub, has a range of courses for French language learners. Whether you’re starting from scratch or know French as a first language, there are plenty of classes, discussions and culture clubs to get involved with.
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5. Supper Club at the Vegetarian Society Cookery School
Supper Club at the Vegetarian Society at Vegetarian Society Cookery School, Altrincham, Until 17 February 2023, from £50 - Book now
Join the Vegetarian Society as they walk you through step by step delicious meat free meals, which you can build on at home.
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6. DJ Gym at Hatch
Photo by Erik Mclean from Pexels -
7. Life Drawing Manchester
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8. Instituto Cervantes Manchester
Instituto Cervantes Instituto Cervantes Manchester, 326/330 Deansgate, Campfield Avenue Arcade, Manchester, M3 4FN - Visit now
Outside of their regular exhibitions, talks and installations, Instituto Cervantes primarily acts as a school for learners of Spanish, offering a wide range of classes for different abilities and interests.
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9. Cloud Aerial
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10. The Workshop, Jewellery Studio
Jack Downing The Workshop, Jewellery Studio, 9 Hollins Place, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, HX7 8EU - Visit now
Hebden Bridge is well established as a meeting place for makers, artists and craftspeople at the top of their trade. It’s therefore unsurprising to hear of a jewellery studio in this innovative town that is welcoming those wishing to learn the skills and knowledge needed for crafting silver jewellery.
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11. School of Comedy at the Frog and Bucket
Tim Mossholder School of Comedy at the Frog and Bucket at The Frog and Bucket, Ancoats, Until 29 April 2023, from £300.00 - Book now
Learn the essential comedy tips, skills, tricks and frills with seasoned stand ups in the Frog and Bucket’s School of Comedy.
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