London

May 24 – June 1, 2025

Who gets to be an artist?

Program Summary

Explore London’s vibrant visual and performing arts scene to probe who can pursue art careers and access artistic professions. Engage with diverse communities, visit museums and galleries, and discuss with local artists and leaders. Investigate how London navigates inclusivity, representation, and social justice in the arts, sparking critical dialogue on who gets to be an artist and broadening perspectives on their societal roles.

May 24 to June 1, 2025

What's Included

What's Not Included

Itinerary - 9 days

Travel from home to London, England, where you’ll explore the vibrant arts scene and question the barriers that define who gets to be an artist in today’s world.

Enjoy an immersive Afternoon Tea, setting the tone for creative exploration. Take a guided tour of the British Museum, where you’ll delve into the origins of artifacts and explore how artists have rebelled and protested over the years. End the day with a walk through Hyde Park, taking in views of Buckingham Palace and Kensington Gardens.

Visit the Southbank Centre, Europe’s largest center for the arts, to discuss free access to the arts and the privileges often associated with becoming an artist. Explore the National Theatre and engage in a discussion about the campaign “Arts for All,” focusing on who gets access to art and who gets to be an artist. End the day with a stroll along Waterloo Bridge and a visit to Somerset House, learning about its transformation into a representative space for the arts.

Tour the Victoria & Albert Museum, focusing on sculptures and eras that have shaped art. Participate in a workshop on design for change, exploring how innovation can break down barriers in the art world. Continue to the Design Museum to discover how product, industrial, graphic, and architectural design are used to impact the world. Conclude with a visit to Trafalgar Square, a historic site where art meets public space.

Experience the magic of theatre with a behind-the-scenes tour of “Matilda The Musical” in Covent Garden. Participate in a drama workshop, then enjoy a matinee performance of the show. Afterward, explore Covent Garden’s vibrant market and street performers, reflecting on the accessibility of performance arts.

Explore the National Gallery with a self-guided tour, focusing on representation in art. Visit EartH Hackney and Studio 36, community-based arts venues that provide free music training and facilities for young people facing financial barriers. Participate in in-studio workshops on songwriting, recording, and performing, culminating in an open mic community performance that celebrates the impact of removing barriers to creativity.

Visit the Tate Modern for a self-guided tour and activity, exploring contemporary art and its accessibility. Stroll along the River Thames and visit Shakespeare’s Globe. Attend a concert* at the Royal Albert Hall, experiencing the role of iconic venues in shaping the arts.

*Schedule dependent.

Engage in a street art tour and graffiti workshop where you’ll create your own take-home canvas. Explore Spitalfields Market, a makers market that highlights the intersection of art and commerce. Visit the Rich Mix Arts Centre, a community-led space for diverse programming, to further explore the role of community in fostering artistic expression.

Reflect on your journey as you travel back home, carrying with you new insights into who gets to be an artist and how access to the arts can shape creative careers.

Health & Safety

Insight has delivered international trips for a wide variety of audiences, including both adults and youths, since 2013. Our top priority from start to finish is the health and well-being of our participants. In the event conditions change while on trip, Insight may need to adjust the itinerary to ensure participant health and safety.

As with all trips, risks do exist and participants will need to complete Acknowledgement of Risk documentation prior to departure. Insight will take every precaution to ensure this experience is truly unforgettable, all for the right reasons. To learn more about our health and safety practices, please contact us.

Please refer to instructions sent by your school.

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