
The Attingham Summer School 2023
July 1-16, 2023
Since its foundation in 1952, THE ATTINGHAM SUMMER SCHOOL has enjoyed outstanding success and is highly regarded by museums, universities and historic preservation societies throughout the world for its careful selection of members, and sustained academic standards.
The School has three main purposes:
- To EXAMINE the architectural and social history of the historic house in Britain and its gardens and landscape setting.
- To STUDY the contents of these buildings – their paintings, sculpture, furniture, ceramics, silver, textiles and other applied arts – as well as the planning, decorative treatment and use of the interiors.
- To STIMULATE debate on problems relating to the conservation and presentation of the country house and its contents.
The 70th Attingham Summer School
The 70th Attingham Summer School, a 16-day residential course directed by David Adshead and Tessa Wild, will visit country houses in Sussex, Oxfordshire, Derbyshire, Northamptonshire, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire. From West Dean, our first base, we will study, amongst other houses and gardens: the complex overlays of Arundel Castle, the ancestral seat of the Dukes of Norfolk; Petworth House, where the patronage of great British artists such as Turner and Flaxman enrich its Baroque interiors; Uppark, a Grand Tour house and Standen, an Arts and Crafts reinterpretation of the country house.
Enrollment and Fees
The course fee for this residential course is $6,100. The fee includes accommodation, breakfast, dinner and most lunches. Participants are strongly advised to insure against cancellation, as no refunds will be made following payment, unless the place can be filled by another suitable candidate.
Tuition, admissions and travel by private coach during the course are also included. Accommodation is in standard university accommodation but all bedrooms are for single occupancy and have en-suite facilities. Not included is the costs of drinks, laundry, guide books and membership of the National Trust/Royal Oak Foundation, which is obligatory.
Applications
The deadline for applications is January 29, 2023. All candidates will be notified by the end of March 2023 if they have been awarded a place.
Please note when making your application that this is an intensive and physically strenuous course. There is plenty of walking, standing and climbing stairs and your fitness must be of a level that will not impact on the enjoyment of the group or take up disproportionate amounts of the organizers’ attention. You should have a good level of spoken English. Whilst we are happy to cater for vegetarian and gluten-free needs, other specialist diets cannot always be accommodated.
The Attingham Summer School Application Form and Instructions for US-based Applicants
Deadline: January 29, 2023
Scholarships
In addition to general enrollment, some scholarship assistance is available for qualifying candidates thanks to the generosity of various individuals and charitable organizations.
Any candidate wishing to apply for a scholarship must complete the scholarship application form below. Please follow the instructions on the form to apply for financial assistance.
American Friends of Attingham Scholarship Form