About Us
An arts education is often elitist and expensive, so our mission since we opened in January 2020, has been to make creative learning easy to access without breaking the bank.
Every week, about 150 people come through our doors and get access to a range of classes, courses and workshops which enables a suck-it-and-see experience.
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From life drawing and printmaking to ceramics and stone carving, our offer is bold and audacious and is actually, in real life, fostering a strong artistic community.
With a team of skilled self-employed tutors and a commitment to providing personalised, hands-on instruction, we have seen the impact and difference an arts education makes to people.
Our Venues
NYAS Shop
The NYAS Shop (currently located at 79 Newborough in Scarborough opposite M&S), first opened in May 2023 and was initially a way for us to promote, and sell the work of artists who attend North Yorks Art School.
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Since then, we have expanded. We now stock a huge range of high-quality art supplies and art books.
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Students who purchase one of our Pre-Pay Bundles are entitled to 10% off all purchases made in the shop. ​
Our Journey
2020
January: North Yorks Art School is created by Christopher Shaw. The website goes live on January 31.
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March: First classes - Life Drawing and Painting - begin. Mike Tilling and Howard Britton are the first to book a class.
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March: Numerous lockdowns follow.
2021
June: Investment in new printroom with money made available through COVID business grants.
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July: Pay-As-You-Go Printmaking added to timetable.
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October: Andrew Perkins joins NYAS as Head of Operations.
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December: First Student Review exhibition held.
2022
More Pay-As-You-Go classes added to timetable.
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New Printmaking courses introduced.
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November: First NYAS shop opens at South Street venue.
November: Second Student Review exhibition held.
2023
March: First workshops take place in Scarborough.
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NYAS Shop opens at St. Nicholas Cliff Scarborough.
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July: Pilot of workshops at other locations begin with a stint in Middlesbrough.
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August: Our Town Postcard Competition opens. Elena Stogneva wins.
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October: Workshops and courses begin at Hummersknott Academy, Darlington.
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October: bookaclass.org booking platform created
October: VAT threshold met.
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November: First Christmas Postcard Competition opens. Jane Greening wins.
2024
Jan-Feb: More locations added to timetable, including:
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Knaresborough
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Winteringham
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Bempton
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Botton Village
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Richmond
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Danby Lodge
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Beeforth Hive
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February: Introduction of children's classes.
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July: Our Town 2 Postcard Competition opens. Marion Mason wins.
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September: NYAS Shop expands to sell art materials, books and magazines.
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September: NYAS on track for 2000 people to attend 280 workshops and 30 courses across 10 venues. ​​
2025
January: Celebrated 5 years of NYAS.
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Jan-Mar: New courses added to timetable.
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February: Cober Hill launched as our new venue for residentials.
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June: First residential holidays taking place at Cober Hill with our week of creativity.
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June: Announcement that our new gallery Nicholas Cliff will be opening in Scarborough.
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July: Purchased bookaclass.com URL to replace bookaclass.org
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July: Portrait Artist of the Year winner Brogan Bertie delivers workshops at Cober Hill
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August: Portrait Artist of the Year Wendy Barratt and Landscape Artist of the Year Finn Campbell-Notman join us for two consecutive residentials at Cober Hill.
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September: Landscape Artist of the Year Elisha Enfield delivers workshops at NYAS.
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September: bookaclass.com signs three year lease for a property on Scarborough High Street.
