Art & Society

London is a city of juxtaposition: Simultaneously Old-World history yet increasingly cosmopolitan. Wealthy but hard for many of its inhabitants to make ends meet. A place where classic and counter-cultures meet. The 21st century thus far has been a challenging and rewarding one for this famed city.

Amidst this backdrop, Deerfield Academy students and faculty will explore how Art–in its many forms, mediums, and spaces–is reflective and reactive to contemporary culture and society. Students will also experience art as a vehicle for social justice and cultural expression, while diving into workshops and courses with experts that advance their technical skills. Finally, they will visit key public and private spaces in London and its outskirts, with Art as the theme driving these explorations. For the first week, students will explore London, visiting local museums, capturing their observations through art, and working on technical skills through classes with Deerfield faculty. During the second week, students will take classes at the University of the Arts London with local professors. Students will return to Deerfield with a deepened understanding of art in a real-world context, strengthened skills as an artist, and a body of work inspired by this trip.

Program Notes

  • Students will be given the option to meet at a U.S.-based airport for the beginning of the trip
  • Families are responsible for transporting their students to and from a U.S. based airport to begin the trip and to their home destination for the remainder of the summer
  • Depending on your nationality, a visa may be required to travel to the UK. Please click here to check if you will need a UK visa.
  • During this trip students will stay in hotels and eat meals at the hotel and at local restaurants.
  • This trip conflicts with the June 11 ACT

Program Dates

June 4 – June 18, 2022 

Program Eligibility

This program is open to all current 9th, 10th and 11th grade students with a preference towards students who have taken at least one term of studio art. All interested students are encouraged to apply by March 27. Financial aid is available to all qualifying students.

Faculty Trip Leaders

  • Mercedes Taylor; David Payne

Approx. trip cost: $9,100 (*includes estimated roundtrip airfare from Boston based airport)

Deerfield Academy’s Center for Service and Global Citizenship is committed to running all of our travel programs at cost with overhead expenses subsidized by the Academy.

Helpful links

2022 Itinerary

*This itinerary is subject to change

Day 1: International Arrival

  • Preparing for the program and setting expectations

Days 2-4: Exploring London

  • Daily Art Lessons by Deerfield Faculty
  • Private Tour of the Tate Britain
  • Private Tour of the Tate Modern
  • Private Street Art tour in East London

Day 5: Day Trip to Richmond by Boat

  • Sketching from the Water

Day 6: Cheyne Gardens

  • Figure Drawing Lesson and Student Art Exhibition

Day 7: Day Trip to Bristol

  • Street Art and Art as Activism

Day 8-12: London

  • Monday-Friday: Classes at University of the Arts London (UAL)

Day 13: International Departures-Travel back home**

** Families are responsible for transportation from U.S.-based airport to the student’s final destination at the end of the trip.

Notes From The Field

United Kingdom 2018

United Kingdom #10: Teamwork

Maddie Lee ’20 describes a successful day creating a “wearable sculpture” and a late afternoon spent enjoying traditional English tea.

United Kingdom 2018

United Kingdom #9: Drawing & Sculpting

Natasha Leong ’21 describes a day at Central Saint Martins experimenting with “a range of different mediums” including drawing, clay, plaster and bright blue alginate, followed by an afternoon of “student choice” exploring the National Gallery and enjoying some delicious Vietnamese food.