KS2 (ENG), KS2 (NI), CfE L2 (SCO), PS3 (WAL), KS3 (ENG), KS4 (ENG), KS3 (NI), KS4 (NI), CfE L4 (SCO), CfE L3 (SCO), KS3 (WAL), KS4 (WAL), KS5 (ENG), KS5 (NI), CfE Sen. (SCO), KS5 (WAL)
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.
Use them during Women's History Month and International Women's Day in March (as well as throughout the year) to plan lessons and activities around women in art and design.
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.
Resources for primary students
Superpower portrait: Lubaina Himid's The Tailor
Ideas for looking closely at an artwork by contemporary artist Lubaina Himid.
Resources for 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.
Lorna Graves and sculpture in relief
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.
Make a paper sculpture inspired by home with Lisa Traxler
Make a 3D artwork inspired by the theme of 'home' and the work of artist Lisa Traxler.
Sculptor's techniques and sculpture in focus videos
Watch videos focusing on women sculptors and their work and discover how sculptors use tools and materials to explore their ideas.
Sculptor's techniques: Susan Cutts
Sculptor's techniques: Ros Burgin
Sculptor's techniques: Christine Kowal Post
Sculptor's techniques: Erin Dickson
Sculpture in focus: Dobbin by Tessa Pullan
Resources for secondary students
Hazel Reeves in her studio with the original clay model for her statue of Emmeline Pankhurst
Telling stories through sculpture: Hazel Reeves' sculpture of Emmeline Pankhurst
Find out how sculptor Hazel Reeves was inspired by the story of Emmeline Pankhurst and her fellow Suffragettes to create this sculpture.
Explore the portraits and techniques of artist Dora Gordine.
Halima Cassell and geometric pattern
Discover how Halima Cassell uses geometric patterns in her ceramic sculptures.
Maud Sulter and the subversive portrait
Analyse the powerful photographic portraits of Scottish Ghanaian artist Maud Sulter.
Prunella Clough: from source materials to abstract paintings
Find out how artist Prunella Clough developed her abstract paintings from photographs and notes.
Rachel Maclean: modern life, make-believe and monsters
Explore the themes behind the mesmerising films of Scottish artist Rachel Maclean.
Terpsichore
(from the series 'Zabat')
1989
Maud Sulter (1960–2008)
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.
Zandra Rhodes: 50 years of fabulous
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.
Zandra Rhodes: 50 years of fabulous
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.
'Breaking the Mould' learning resources
Ben Uri Collection: portrait and identity resources
(Suitable for primary and secondary students)
Explore the lives and work of three women artists, featured in the Ben Uri Collection's portrait and identity resources.
Dorthy Bohm (b.1924), photographer and mixed-media artist
Dora Holzhandler (b.1928), painter
Käthe Strenitz (b.1923), artist and printmaker
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.
Focus: Helen Saunders and the modern city
Vorticist Composition Yellow and Green (formerly 'Gulliver in Liliput')
c.1915
Helen Saunders (1885–1963)
Government Art Collection: Art Spark resources
Art Spark is a series of resources about artists in the Government Art Collection.
Resources for younger ages and families:
Gillian Wearing uses mainly photography and performance to explore themes of identity, self-portraiture and gender.
Download the Gillian Wearing resource
Joan Carlile (1606–1679) painted the earliest artwork by a woman in the Government Art Collection. Find out about the artist and her work.
Download the Joan Carlile resource
Resources for 14+ students and young people
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.
Download the Michaela Yearwood-Dan resource
Madelynn Green (b.1993) works from photo and video reference material as well as her imagination. Her subjects include family and social dynamics.
Download the Madelynn Green resource
National Galleries of Scotland: ARTIST ROOMS resources
(Secondary and 16+ students)
Vija Celmins creates meticulous drawings and paintings of a select range of subjects including the surface of the ocean and microscopic spiders' webs.
Working across a range of media, artist Louise Bourgeois used memories and experiences of childhood and life events to create artworks that explore identity.
ARTIST ROOMS: Louise Bourgeois
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.
Download the Cindy Sherman resource
V&A
(Secondary students)
Find out about fashion designer Mary Quant and explore activities related to fabrics and design with the V&A.
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.
Discover women artists in Curations
National Galleries of Scotland: why are there so few female artists?
This National Galleries of Scotland video addresses the question of why there are so few female artists.
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:
The National Gallery: women in our collection
Self Portrait in a Straw Hat
after 1782
Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun (1755–1842)
Tate: women in art
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.
V&A podcast: women artists
Listen to a discussion about the role of women artists in the nineteenth century and how the context for women artists has changed over time.
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.
Art UK: discover artists
Discover biographies, stories and videos about women artists – as well as their artworks – on our artist pages:
Derby Museums
Discover the Surrealist paintings of artist Marion Adnams, who lived and worked in Derby, with this virtual tour of an exhibition at Derby Museums.
Marion Adnams: a singular woman
Explore Makers in Derbyshire videos. Watch designers and makers at work and find out about the materials and techniques they use:
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.
Jenny Saville, best known for her monumental paintings of the naked female form, discusses her inspirations and motivations.
Sculptor Christine Borland discusses the inspiration of anatomy and the human body as well as her processes and techniques.
Oxford Brookes University
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.
Sketchbook 13: 1938–1940
Sketchbook 14: 1940–1942
Sketchbook 15: 1941
Sketchbook 16: 1942
Royal Academy: short films about women artists
Watch an introduction to the seventeenth-century artist Artemisia Gentileschi in this short video:
Watch artist Tracey Emin discussing her inspirations and work:
Tracey Emin: I want my time with you
Bristol Museums
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:
Hepworth Wakefield
Meet Barbara Hepworth
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.
Explore the 'Meet Barbara Hepworth' resource
Contemporary women artists
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.
Artists include:
National Portrait Gallery: photographers in focus
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:
lick your teeth, they so clutch
2021
Rachel Jones (b.1991)
Tate Kids: 'Who is... ?'
(Primary students and families)
The Tate Kids 'Who is... ?' resources feature stories of over 20 women artists and designers, including:
Activist artists The Guerrilla Girls
Storytelling painter Paula Rego
Turner prize winner Lubaina Himid
Contemporary painter Lynette Yiadom-Boakye
Textile designer and artist Anni Albers
Contemporary artist Rachel Jones
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.
Watch: Emmeline Deane and Anna Bilinska
Discover Emmeline Deane's fascinating portrait of fellow artist Anna Bilińska.
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.
Victoria Art Gallery: Women artists playlist
V&A: fashion designers
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!
Discover the life and extraordinary fashion designs of Nigerian fashion designer Shade Thomas-Fahm.
Watch: Nigeria's first fashion designer
Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Trust
Explore this extraordinary Scottish artist and see her pioneering abstract artworks.
Explore the life and work of Wilhelmina Barns-Graham
White, Green, Ochre, Red and Black
1956
Wilhelmina Barns-Graham (1912–2004)
