January offers

Beat the January blues with our treats for Members and Supporters of The Arts Society

Exclusive 10% discount on select V&A courses

Led by experts, the V&A Academy Courses provide an illuminating insight into the arts, covering topics such as fashion and textiles. Members of The Arts Society can enjoy a 10% discount on two short courses: The Making of Modern Theatre(Monday 13 January–Monday 23 March) and History of Furniture: Form, Fashion and Function (Friday 17 January–Friday 27 March). 

From musicals to theories of acting, The Making of Modern Theatre takes a look at the plays and players, directors and writers that changed theatre throughout the turbulent 20thcentury. The 10-week course is led by Arts Society Lecturers Giles Ramsay and Malcolm Jones. In the History of Furniture: Form, Fashion and Function, join Philippa Barton to explore centuries of English and European furniture from the V&A’s collection. Members of The Arts Society can enjoy 10% off the cost of these courses when they enter the code ARTSOCIETY10 at the online checkout. 

The Making of Modern Theatre; V&A Museum, London; Monday 13 January–Monday 23 March

History of Furniture: Form, Fashion and Function; V&A Museum, London; Friday 17 January–Friday 27 March

Click here to discover the V&A’s full programme of courses 

Discounted entry to English Chamber Orchestra concerts (24 January and 16 February)

The most recorded chamber orchestra in the world, the English Chamber Orchestra has provided the soundtrack for films including Atonement, Pride and Prejudice and several of the James Bond soundtracks. This season, Members of The Arts Society can enjoy 20% off tickets to two concerts, The Age of Elegance with Ana de la Vega and Ramon Ortega Quero (24 January) and the English Chamber Orchestra and Leia Zhu (February 16). 

Featuring flautist Ana de la Vega and oboist Ramon Ortega Quero, The Age of Elegance brings together works including Haydn’s Concerto for Two Lire Organizzate in C major, Elgar’s Symphony for Strings and Carl Stamitz’s Concerto for Oboe and Flute in G major. On 16 February, 13-year-old virtuoso violinist Leia Zhu makes her British concerto debut performing Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor. The programme also includes Dvorak’s Romance, Violin and Orchestra op.11 in F minor and Schubert’s Symphony No.3 D.200 in D major. 

To claim your discount, enter the code ECOTAS at the online checkout. Please note that the discount does not apply to £15 tickets.

The Age of Elegance with Ana de la Vega and Ramon Ortega Quero; Cadogan Hall, London; 24 January

English Chamber Orchestra & Leia Zhu; Cadogan Hall, London; 16 February

englishchamberorchestra.co.uk

Free entry for two to the winter Decorative Antiques and Textiles Fair

A treasure trove of antiques, design, and fine and decorative art, this fair brings together pieces from 150 specialist dealers across the UK and Europe. This year, the fair will include a special Alice in Wonderland display, which showcases the diversity of items available. Members of The Arts Society can enjoy free entry for two to the event when they present the e-ticket at the entrance. Click here to download. This also includes entry to The London Antique Rug and Textile Art Fair. 

Decorative Antiques and Textiles Fair; Battersea Park, London; 21–26 January

decorativefair.com

Free entry to the Desire Jewellery and Silversmithing Fair

Head to Chelsea Old Town Hall this February to discover pieces created by around 90 of the UK’s leading jewellers and silversmiths. From Eileen Gatt’s silverware inspired by polar landscapes to jewellers working in platinum and vegetable ivory, the fair has plenty of unique pieces to discover and purchase. Members of The Arts Society can enjoy complimentary entry to the event when they present their Arts Society membership card. 

Desire Jewellery and Silversmithing Fair; Chelsea Old Town Hall, London; 28 February–1 March

desirefair.com

Win Artists’ Letters by Michael Bird

From Vincent van Gogh to Beatrix Potter, Artists’ Letters brings together 100 letters written by leading creatives. Compiled by art historian Michael Bird and published by White Lion Publishing, it provides a fascinating glimpse into the artists’ daily lives, works and hardships. For a chance to win one of three copies, email your name and address to magazine@theartssociety.org with ‘Artists’ in the subject line by 28 February.