Our Approach

How art-K Began

Kathryn spent her life practicing art; drawing on every piece of paper she could get her hands on. She also wanted to have a career working with children, leading her to pursue Speech and Language Therapy at University (although some of her University interviewers were a bit taken aback when Kathryn asked if there was an art option during the course!)

Kathryn excelled as a Speech and Language Therapist in her chosen specialism: paediatrics. By her twenties, she was Head of Paediatrics at Epsom and Ewell NHS Trust, whilst continuing to sell her art on the side in exhibitions and shops. Although it was exciting to be given such responsibility, her managerial role dominated her time and took her away from what she truly loved; art and working with children.

Speed forwards a few years and Kathryn realised how limited the art resources were for her two daughters – Rebekah and Emily – at school. Kathryn decided to make the leap and channel her expertise into creating an age-based developmental art programme for children; somewhere she could teach her children – and others – how to grow their visual and artistic skills. art-K was formed.

Kathryn’s club went from strength to strength. After operating for 10 years in 2010, people were travelling over an hour to reach art-K Ashtead as there was nothing like it in their area.

After graduating, Emily was on course to join an Investment Banking Department within a major bank. The challenging environment was exciting and a great experience, however she found the lack of autonomy and creativity limiting. She missed the connection to the real world and work that benefited real people.

Having started the art-K journey together in 2000, Kathryn and Emily decided their skills and experience could grow art-K into a national brand that represents the future of arts education. Since deciding to expand art-K in 2016, art-K has grown to 50+ clubs, teaches 6000+ students per week and employs over 150 art teachers.

None of this would have been possible without the third member of their team, David. David ran various companies for 20 years and helped mentor and develop art-K to create a company with a strong corporate governance. He drives areas such as health and safety, customer relations, new systems and many more.

Our goal is to ensure that every child or adult passionate about art has the opportunity to be a part of an art-K club in their local area. We’re looking to build a community of individuals who share a common passion and enthusiasm for creating art.

Our classes focus on building on the basic fundamental principles of art and using these skills as a foundation to build on to develop our student’s confidence in experimenting with all different artistic styles and mediums. That’s why our classes are tailored to each individual and open to everyone.

Our Teaching

Our programme is based on an understanding of child development, child engagement, visual skills and artistic techniques. Art skills take time to develop, just like playing the piano, and the art-K programme grows with the child; the more confident they are, the more they are able to bring their creativity to their projects.

All our teachers undergo in depth training on the art-K programme and art-K’s teaching methods to ensure that our students receive the best art teaching we can offer. As the UK’s leading art tuition service, we pride ourselves in treating every child individually and creating an inspirational, creative hub where ideas become reality!

Our Studios

art-K has studios across the UK, including locations in London, Leeds, Brighton, Bristol and the South East. Our studios are powered by 100% green energy and, where possible, they use air flow heat pumps (instead of radiators or gas heaters) to keep energy consumption to a minimum. Any energy that is consumed, we offset with Ecologi; you can see the garden we’re growing here. In our studios, we up-cycle materials, incorporating plastics into the structure of our 3D projects. We believe in teaching by example and we love to share knowledge with (and also learn from!) our students.

The Team Making it Happen

Find out who makes art-K what it is today! Below is inclusive of our teachers, franchisees and central support team.

Kathryn

Creative Director

Kathryn started art-K in 2000 as a result of the lack of art at school for children. With Kathryn’s speech and language degree she is able to create projects at the appropriate developmental level for each individual child. Kathryn mentors all franchisees in the art-K teaching methods to ensure that each pupil receives an exciting, personalised programme.

Emily

Managing Director

Emily started art-K when she was 6 years old and became an art assistant at 16, before returning after University to launch the Franchise with Kathryn. Emily has helped all the franchisees successfully launch their businesses as well as launch the directly-owned branches. Emily supports and coaches all members of the art-K team, working together to drive success.

David

Operating Director

With 20 years experience running various companies, David provides his expertise to art-K. David supports Kathryn and Emily as a Non-Executive Director; his core focus is implementing new operations in order to create a company with a strong corporate governance.