All direct recruiting is at schools located in areas of social/economic deprivation or geographic isolation.
We aim to have 80% of participants from less advantaged backgrounds.
“I love these courses! The teaching is of such a high standard. No one is disadvantaged as materials are sent out and tuition is free. It’s just an unbelievable opportunity with each lesson packed full of new skills. There’s no way my parents could afford courses like these.”
The Creative Dimension Trust Workshop Programme has evolved with COVID-19 developments.
Free 5-day workshops are offered either online or at venues with social distancing.
Please click here to learn more about the workshops and to apply.
TCDT won’t let COVID-19 stop your creative development, learning and fun. We want to help you continue building your portfolio during these uncertain times.
We all need to stay positive, engaged and motivated.
I didn't know it at the time...but these courses really shaped my future. They sparked my intrigue into the medium of glass and they helped me to build a portfolio which helped me to land a place in my current degree course.
- Hannah Peverley, TCDT Alumna
The Creative Dimension Trust (TCDT) offers workshops, where tuition and materials are free, to young people who show potential in forging a career pathway where precise hand-eye co-ordination, and the ability to understand and construct 3-dimensional shapes are prerequisite. We are pleased to announce that our workshops are now open to 14-19 year olds.
TCDT offers a wide range of workshops from stone letter carving to sign writing on skateboards and architectural model making. The Trust is determined to show our talented young attendees the vast range of potential employment opportunities related to the transferable skills which students develop through our diverse programme.
The Creative Dimension Trust are pleased to offer unique and exciting work experience opportunities to our students and alumni aged 16 and over. We offer placements in the following areas; architecture, historical costume making, painting conservation, furniture conservation, marbling, and puppet making. Please click here for more information on the current opportunities.
It was the best experience of my life so far. I was able to work in an office doing my dream job, that I have longed for since I was 15. I learnt a lot about life in the office and how projects in the real world work.
- Work Experience Student, Allies & Morrison
It was phenomenal...the workshop is fantastic. Top equipment...and an amazing, very skilled tutor. Looking at the wider picture of my experience with TCDT all the workshops have taught me very valuable skills I wouldn't have learnt elsewhere.
- Student, Sign Writing
Students are to be congratulated for their sophisticated realisations and diverse use of media. The wonderful sculptures, puppets, and etchings created by students at TCDT workshops made a significant contribution to the assessment process. I can’t thank you enough for organising such a wonderful experience for our students.
- Teacher
For me, TCDT has not only made me appreciate craft, but made the person I am today. It has honestly been an experience of a lifetime, and something that has made my life a lot better.
- Jay Patel, TCDT Alumnus
If you are good at sport there are lots of ways to meet others like you, to train and improve. The same is true for music or dance. But if you want to work with your hands, and learn bench work skills, there aren’t enough opportunities to develop your career. We’re fixing that.
- Penny Bendall, founder and CEO of The Creative Dimension Trust
The experiences my son had will be life-changing. He has been absolutely energised and is beginning to recognise that he has something really special.
- Parent
The Creative Dimension Trust is an admirable and hugely worthwhile initiative. All crafts - and indeed, aspects of art such as drawing - need to be handed on from generation to generation. Unless this happens, these skills will dwindle away. So the courses organised by TCDT are as valuable to the rest of us as to the young students who take part.
- Martin Gayford, Art Critic, The Spectator
The breadth of activities and techniques learned has inspired our students and filled staff with envy! (I wish I had the opportunity to learn Silversmithing, Marquetry, stone masonry etc at their age). We have also noticed those involved in the process have been far more willing to take creative risks within their sketchbooks which significantly contributes to the higher grading boundaries when assessing work.
- Pedro Anastasi, Head of Art, Dame Alice Owen’s School
Working with Penny, The Creative Dimension and the students has been a real pleasure. Penny’s passion and enthusiasm and the ethos of what the Creative Dimension stands for is truly inspiring and I was glad to be part of it and to be able to offer my skills to such an exceptional group of young adults.
- Laura Clarke, etching tutor
Visit our online tutorials to keep learning while at home, using materials from around the house.