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We have gathered together a selection of resources from Art UK and museums, galleries and art collections around the UK that explore the work of women artists and designers.
The first section of this Round-up includes links to learning resources created specifically for schools and young people. They include resources that explore individual artists as well as more general themes relating to women and the arts.
Art UK resources
A selection of Art UK resources including lesson plans, videos and activities created for teaching primary and secondary students.
Focusing on a textile artwork by artist Jann Howarth, this resource considers the visibility of women artists and the role of textiles in art, including gender associations and stereotypes.
These lesson plan ideas are inspired by a workshop that took place at a SEND / ASN school with a variety of ages. It focuses on the sculpture of Cumbrian artist Lorna Graves.
Museums & Galleries Edinburgh – City of Edinburgh Council
Aberdeen Art Gallery
The art of empowerment (Primary and secondary resources)
These resources explore the depiction of women and women as cultural producers against the background of the Suffragette movement. Watch the video and download resources designed for primary and secondary students.
A look at the work of the experimental and flamboyant British fashion designer Zandra Rhodes. Watch the video and download resources designed for primary and secondary students.
Arts Council Collection: 'Breaking the Mould: Sculpture by women since 1945'
Discover resources produced to accompany the 'Breaking the Mould' exhibition. They include an education pack and video that can be used in the classroom to explore artworks from the Arts Council Collection online.
Courtauld Collection: Helen Saunders and the modern city (Primary students)
This resource looks at the drawings and paintings of Vorticist artist Helen Saunders and her depictions of cities. It includes ideas for creative activities inspired by her work.
Discover what makes these emerging contemporary artists tick as they introduce their artwork, describe their passions and inspirations and the life events that have shaped them.
The paintings of Michaela Yearwood-Dan (b.1994) are often based on observations of society and self. Her works explore themes of class, culture/race, gender, nature, love, loss and reflection.
Working across a range of media, artist Louise Bourgeois used memories and experiences of childhood and life events to create artworks that explore identity.
National Portrait Gallery: Cindy Sherman (Secondary students)
Artist Cindy Sherman manipulates her appearance, inspired by a range of cultural sources from film to advertising. This resource on art and photography from the NPG encourages students to question what a portrait can be.
This section of the Round-up lists overview resources about women artists and designers. These haven't been produced specifically for schools and teachers but use them to research information, ideas and images for lesson planning. Some of the videos could be used within lessons for teaching secondary or 16+ students. These resources would also be helpful for self-directed adult learners.
Art UK: discover women artists
This A-to-Z of women artists pulls together artists from collections across the UK in a series of Curations. Use them for inspiration or to research and explore women artists in lesson planning.
The National Gallery: women artists in the collection
This resource from The National Gallery explores the representation of women in the collection – the artists, the patrons and the women who inspired the paintings. It examines the social and cultural environment to understand what it took to succeed as a female artist in times when opportunities for women were so few. Although not specifically for schools, it is a useful contextual resource for teachers:
Research and discover the stories and achievements of women artists. This resource pulls together videos, articles and artworks. Use it as a source of inspiration or for lesson planning ideas.
Use these resources to research individual women artists and designers. They haven't been produced specifically for schools and teachers but might be useful for sourcing ideas and images in lesson planning.
Some of the resources have been written for young people. Others could be used by older secondary-level students, 16+ students and self-directed adult learners.
Megan Crook designs and produces bespoke knitwear, clothing, interiors and textiles jewellery. Each piece is skillfully crafted in vibrant and detailed patterns.
Janine Mannion-Jones began working in clay when she was eight years old. She founded JMJ Pottery, which creates bespoke pots and handmade domestic stoneware and containers, coated in their unique coloured glazes.
Curiousa & Curiousa design and manufacture hand-blown glass lighting from their Derbyshire workshop and have a showroom in Islington, London. Esther Patterson, the designer and founder of the company, has a real passion for all things British-made and for true craftsmanship and traditional manufacturing skills.
National Galleries of Scotland | NOW | Jenny Saville and Christine Borland
Watch video interviews featuring contemporary artists at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art.
Explore the fascinating sketchbooks of artist Evelyn Dunbar, who is best known for recording women's contributions to the Second World War on the home front, particularly the work of the Women's Land Army. She is also notable for being the only woman on the payroll of the War Artists' Advisory Committee on a salaried basis.
This video resource is one of a series made by Bristol Museums celebrating local artists and creatives. Bristol-based artist Helen Wilson Roe's paintings and sculptures often focus on the untold stories of Black people. Watch the artist discussing her work:
Be inspired by Barbara Hepworth. Find out about the artist, key themes in her work and her inspirations and influence. This resource, created as a collaboration with Google Arts & Culture, includes videos, information, and artworks with zoomable images so you can explore them in detail.
Discover information and videos about some of the contemporary women artists who have exhibited at the Hepworth Wakefield. You can find more women artists on the Hepworth's artist pages.
Find out what influences photographers, who they have enjoyed shooting and tips for preparing for a photographic session in these interviews. Women photographers featured in the resource include:
Victoria Art Gallery, Bath and Northeast Somerset Council
The Victoria Art Gallery are in the process of creating a series of videos focusing on women artists in their Collection. Use the links below to find out more.
Rosa Bonheur was one of the most famous and successful female artists of the nineteenth century. Explore the life and works of this French artist who specialised in painting animals, (and had a rebellious streak!)
Discover more women artist videos on their YouTube playlist.
Find out all about the ground-breaking British fashion designer Vivienne Westwood. See fashion designs in the V&A collection, read articles and watch videos of her designs in action on the catwalk!