Free Courses
Here at MBC we're perhaps best known for our range of free arts courses. We work hard to win grants from a range of funders and we're always adding new educational opportunities for adults and families in our community. We deliver these programmes from our headquarters in Norfolk Street along with a number of other venues across the North East. We offer longer term courses in arts and crafts such as ceramics and glass fusion. All you need to take part in one of these is to be a resident living under Sunderland City Council and that you have an employment or well-being need. You can read about our ten-week courses below. If you'd like to discuss any of them or get enrolled, then give us a call on 0191 5659355.
Please visit our Ticket & Events page to view the availability of our free workshops.
Free Beginners Ceramics
Free Beginners Ceramics
Our ceramics courses are designed to be fun, friendly and hands-on. Working with one of our specialist ceramics tutors you’ll be guided through every step of the way, learning a range of hand-building and glazing ceramic techniques.
You’ll explore a range of art styles, seasonal themes, different types of ceramics, and really get to grips with the range of styles and techniques used by the professionals.
You will have the opportunity to make things such as masks, plaques, decorative pieces, and you’ll learn how to sculpt and create a range of 3D forms. In addition to this you’ll get the chance to try out a range of glazing techniques which will bring your work to life with rich colours.
We offer ceramics courses for beginner learners so if you'd like to know more then give us a call on 0191 5659355 If you want to see up to date scheduling of the different courses and workshops, then please click the on the link below which will take you directly to our Events page.
Free Intermediate Ceramics
Our ceramics courses are designed to be fun, friendly and hands-on. Working with one of our specialist ceramics tutors you’ll be guided through every step of the way, learning a range of hand-building and glazing ceramic techniques.
You’ll explore a range of art styles, seasonal themes, different types of ceramics, and really get to grips with the range of styles and techniques used by the professionals.
You will have the opportunity to make things such as masks, plaques, decorative pieces, and you’ll learn how to sculpt and create a range of 3D forms. In addition to this you’ll get the chance to try out a range of glazing techniques which will bring your work to life with rich colours.
We offer ceramics courses for intermediate learners so if you'd like to know more then give us a call on 0191 5659355. If you want to see up to date scheduling of the different courses and workshops, then please click the on the link below which will take you directly to our Events page.
Free Intermediate Glass
Our glass courses are designed to be informative, engaging and creative. You will work with one of our highly skilled glass tutors who would take you on a journey looking at a range of different art styles and cultures whilst learning the methods to create your own decorative glassware.
You'll learn how to: draw and design, how to layer, how to cut, how to paint and how to fuse, in addition to a number of other different techniques used by professionals.
You will have the opportunity to make things such as pendants and jewellery, decorative jars, images made from glass and many more mini projects throughout the program. Have a look at our gallery to see the kind of creations learners have produced in the past.
If you'd like to know more about these opportunities, then give us a call on 0191 5659355. If you want to see up to date scheduling of the different courses and workshops, then please click the link below which will take you directly to our events page.
Free British Sign Language
BSL was officially recognised as a language in
2003 and there are over 150,000 people across the UK who are registered deaf and hard of hearing.
Our introductory British Sign Language (BSL) courses are great for those who have little or no experience in BSL but wants to develop their skills and learn a new language.
If you'd like to know more about these opportunities, then give us a call on 0191 5659355. If you want to see up to date scheduling of the different courses and workshops, then please click the link below which will take you directly to our events page.
Free Yoga Classes
Our free yoga courses are both therapeutic and rewarding. During the classes you’ll be given the opportunity to exercise your body, clear your mind, and learn the ancient art of Iyengar yoga. The benefits of yoga are of course varied but most practitioners record gains in things such as: muscle tone, balance, strength, calmness, and flexibility.
If you'd like to know more about these opportunities, then give us a call on 0191 5659355. If you want to see up to date scheduling of the different courses and workshops, then please click the link below which will take you directly to our events page.
Free Beginners Glass
Our glass courses are designed to be informative, engaging and creative. You will work with one of our highly skilled glass tutors who would take you on a journey looking at a range of different art styles and cultures whilst learning the methods to create your own decorative glassware.
You'll learn how to: draw and design, how to layer, how to cut, how to paint and how to fuse, in addition to a number of other different techniques used by professionals.
You will have the opportunity to make things such as pendants and jewellery, decorative jars, images made from glass and many more mini projects throughout the program. Have a look at our gallery to see the kind of creations learners have produced in the past.
If you'd like to know more about these opportunities, then give us a call on 0191 5659355. If you want to see up to date scheduling of the different courses and workshops, then please click the link below which will take you directly to our events page.
Free Home Fragrances
Our free Beginner's Home Fragrances courses are both fun and educational. During the course you will learn of the processes involved in making your very own candles, soaps, wax melts and diffusers. Working with our expert fragrance tutor you will incorporate a blend of essential and fragrance oils, into your products, as well as working with natural soy wax and a variety of soap bases.
If you'd like to know more about these opportunities, then give us a call on 0191 5659355. If you want to see up to date scheduling of the different courses and workshops, then please click the link below which will take you directly to our events page.
Free Mindfulness Classes
During our free mindfulness and meditation courses you will engage with many different meditation and mindfulness techniques which you can incorporate into everyday life. This course is great for those who are looking to help relieve stress, develop new coping mechanisms, explore their feelings and absorb important information on how to promote and protect their wellbeing.
If you'd like to know more about these opportunities, then give us a call on 0191 5659355. If you want to see up to date scheduling of the different courses and workshops, then please click the link below which will take you directly to our events page.
Free Reaching Communities Classes
With thanks to funding from The National Lottery's Reaching Communities fund, we're delighted to be able to bring you a whole range of free courses, workshops and tasters.
If you'd like to know more about these opportunities, then give us a call on 0191 5659355. If you want to see up to date scheduling of the different courses and workshops, then please click the link below which will take you directly to our events page.
Coalfield Isolation Project
With thanks to funding from Sunderland Coalfields SIB Board and The National Lottery's Reaching Communities fund, we're delighted to be able to bring you a whole range of free courses, workshops and tasters, which will be delivered in Houghton-le-Spring.
If you'd like to know more about these opportunities, then give us a call on 0191 5659355. If you want to see up to date scheduling of the different courses and workshops, then please click the link below which will take you directly to our events page.
With thanks to funding from Sunderland Coalfields SIB Board and The National Lottery's Reaching Communities fund, we're delighted to be able to bring you a whole range of free courses, workshops and tasters, which will be delivered in Houghton-le-Spring.
If you'd like to know more about these opportunities, then give us a call on 0191 5659355. If you want to see up to date scheduling of the different courses and workshops, then please click the link below which will take you directly to our events page.
Reaching Communities Independent Groups
With thanks to funding from The National Lottery's Reaching Communities fund, we're delighted to be able to bring you a whole range of free courses, workshops, tasters and groups.
If you'd like to know more about these opportunities, then give us a call on 0191 5659355. If you want to see up to date scheduling of the different courses and workshops, then please click the link below which will take you directly to our events page.
Flowers in Homes
With thanks to funding from Sunderland Coalfields SIB Board, we are delighted to offer this wonderful Flower in Homes course where you will develop your skills in floristry, as well as becoming a Community Ambassador.
If you'd like to know more about these opportunities, then give us a call on 0191 5659355. If you want to see up to date scheduling of the different courses and workshops, then please click the link below which will take you directly to our events page.
Awards for All
With thanks to funding from The National Lottery's Awards for All fund, we are delighted to bring you this programme of activities.
If you'd like to know more about these opportunities, then give us a call on 0191 5659355. If you want to see up to date scheduling of the different courses and workshops, then please click the link below which will take you directly to our events page.
Sport England Free Yoga Sessions 70+
With thanks to funding from Sport England we are delighted to bring you this programme of free yoga activities.
If you'd like to know more about these opportunities, then give us a call on 0191 5659355. If you want to see up to date scheduling of the different courses and workshops, then please click the link below which will take you directly to our events page.
With thanks to funding from Hadrian Trust we are delighted to bring you five weeks of free creative activities here at MBC Arts Wellbeing.
If you'd like to know more about these opportunities, then give us a call on 0191 5659355. If you want to see up to date scheduling of the different courses and workshops, then please click the link below which will take you directly to our events page.
With thanks to funding from the Neighbourly Community Fund we are delighted to bring you this wonderful Wildflower Seed Pack activity.
If you'd like to know more about these opportunities, then give us a call on 0191 5659355. If you want to see up to date scheduling of the different courses and workshops, then please click the link below which will take you directly to our events page.
With thanks to funding from the Barbour Foundation we are delighted to bring you these wonderful arts activities.
If you'd like to know more about these opportunities, then give us a call on 0191 5659355. If you want to see up to date scheduling of the different courses and workshops, then please click the link below which will take you directly to our events page.
With thanks to funding from the Barbour Foundation we are delighted to bring you these wonderful arts activities.
If you'd like to know more about these opportunities, then give us a call on 0191 5659355. If you want to see up to date scheduling of the different courses and workshops, then please click the link below which will take you directly to our events page.
With thanks to funding from the Barbour Foundation we are delighted to bring you these wonderful arts activities.
If you'd like to know more about these opportunities, then give us a call on 0191 5659355. If you want to see up to date scheduling of the different courses and workshops, then please click the link below which will take you directly to our events page.
With thanks to funding from the Barbour Foundation we are delighted to bring you these essential winter hints and tips workshops.
If you'd like to know more about these opportunities, then give us a call on 0191 5659355. If you want to see up to date scheduling of the different courses and workshops, then please click the link below which will take you directly to our events page.
With thanks to funding from the Barbour Foundation we are delighted to bring you these essential winter hints and tips workshops.
If you'd like to know more about these opportunities, then give us a call on 0191 5659355. If you want to see up to date scheduling of the different courses and workshops, then please click the link below which will take you directly to our events page.
With thanks to funding from the Barbour Foundation we are delighted to bring you these essential winter hints and tips workshops.
If you'd like to know more about these opportunities, then give us a call on 0191 5659355. If you want to see up to date scheduling of the different courses and workshops, then please click the link below which will take you directly to our events page.