New to Festival?
A&S activities are some of the easiest activities at Festival to join in with as a newcomer. Unless stated otherwise in the activity description, just show up at the start of the time slot and join in!
All the main venues have seating available, although you may want to bring your own chair if you’re going to a class at someone’s campsite. For some activities, you may be expected to bring equipment, materials, or a donation to cover printing and materials costs – this will be listed in the activity description.
Some classes may have limited places and require pre-booking. (This will be listed in the activity description.) If you don’t get a place, the teacher may be willing for you to watch and listen, but be prepared for them to say no.
Please check the activity descriptions to see which teachers are comfortable with children and/or teens attending their activities – and remember that children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
Whether you’re an artisan, performer, or curious learner, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Guild Meetings & Artisan Demonstrations
Guilds dedicated to historical crafts, cooking, metalwork, textiles, and other skills hold meetings where members share knowledge and techniques. Artisan demonstrations provide a hands-on look at medieval craftsmanship in action. Guild meetings will be listed in the timetable.
Laurel Prize
A showcase of artistic excellence where artisans present their work for feedback and recognition. Judges, including Laurels (experts in historical arts), evaluate and encourage participants to refine their craft.
Arts & Sciences Collegia
Festival attendees can participate in a wide range of workshops and classes on historical arts, sciences, and crafts. Topics include calligraphy, brewing, armour-making, embroidery, and medieval sciences. The timetable and description for classes will be available closer to the event.
Performing Arts & Social Gatherings
- Bardic Circle – Storytellers, poets, and musicians share their work in an informal, welcoming environment.
- Balls & Dancing – The Caruso Ball and other dance events feature period-appropriate music and courtly dance instruction.
Competitions
- Annual competitions allow participants to showcase their historical attire, objects, or recipes, and are judged on quality, craftsmanship and authenticity.
- Check the Announcements page for details on upcoming A&S competitions.
Sharing Your Skills and Knowledge
Anyone interested in sharing their knowledge or skills can volunteer to teach a class or activity by submitting a proposal. Teaching is a great way to contribute to the festival, inspire others, and help preserve historical crafts and traditions. We’ll have a form for submitting class proposals linked here soon.
FAQ for Teachers
- How many people will I be teaching? Class sizes vary from two to twenty attendees, but most have around five participants.
- How long should my class be? Most sessions run for an hour, though shorter and longer options are possible. Expect five minutes at the start for arrivals and some early departures.
- Do I have to do any administration? No, we handle the logistics based on your submitted form, unless you require bookings.
- Do I need to provide a handout? No, though attendees appreciate them for reference. It’s completely optional.
- Do I need to be an expert? No! If you can teach a beginner, you have valuable knowledge to share.
- What if I have scheduling conflicts? Let us know your availability, and we’ll do our best to accommodate your needs.
Further Information
For general enquiries about the A&S program or to volunteer to run an activity, please contact the Arts & Sciences Coordinator at artsandsciences@festival.lochac.sca.org