An alternative art school for independent artists
Develop your practice alongside a small cohort of artists through ambitious projects, thoughtful critique and a supportive community.
Whether you’re returning to making after time away or looking for fresh momentum in your practice, Ri Projects offers the structure, challenge and encouragement to help you keep moving forwards.
30
Weeks of Support
<15
Artists
3
Projects
1
Public Exhibition
Meet Dean, Your Programme Director.
Dean Melbourne is an artist, educator and mentor with over two decades of experience supporting artists at every stage of their creative journey.
Throughout his career, Dean has taught across further and higher education, led artist development programmes and worked closely with hundreds of artists to help them develop stronger, more confident and more critically engaged creative practices.
His approach is rooted in conversation, experimentation and thoughtful critique. Rather than prescribing a particular way of making, Dean encourages artists to ask better questions, challenge their assumptions and discover a direction that is genuinely their own.
As Programme Director, Dean leads each cohort, guiding participants through every project with weekly sessions, small-group critiques and individual tutorials. His aim is simple: to create the kind of supportive and, at the same time, challenging environment in which artists can do their best work.
Why Ri Projects?
There are plenty of opportunities to learn new techniques, and plenty of programmes focused on the business of being an artist. Ri Projects was created to offer something different.Drawing inspiration from the best parts of art school, we’ve created a year-long programme centred on ambitious projects, thoughtful critique and a community of artists committed to developing their work together.
Imagine where your practice could be in a year.
Over the next year you’ll...
- Complete three substantial creative projects- Develop a stronger understanding of your own practice- Receive regular individual tutorials- Take part in regular critique and discussion- Build lasting relationships with fellow artists- Exhibit your work publicly-Leave with greater confidence in both your work and your voice as an artist
How Ri Projects works
Ri Projects is built around three connected projects. Each one builds on the last, taking you from experimentation through to public presentation.
Project One: Process
Sept – Dec 2026 (10 weeks)
What could your practice become?
Through research, experimentation and practical work, you’ll explore new ideas, materials and approaches while developing a project in response to a brief.
The focus is on curiosity rather than certainty.
Project Two: Practice
Jan – March 2027 (10 weeks)
What wider conversations is your work part of?
As your project develops, you’ll begin connecting your work to artists, ideas, history and contemporary practice.
You’ll spend time reflecting on why you make the work you make and where it sits within broader artistic conversations.
Project Three: Presentation
April – June 2027 (10 weeks)
The final stage focuses on sharing your work.
You’ll refine your project, think about documentation and installation, and prepare towards a final exhibition that celebrates the year’s work.
Unlike a traditional year-long art school programme, Ri Projects is designed to fit alongside work, family and other commitments. Expect to dedicate around 4–6 hours each week, including the weekly group session and time developing your own practice, giving you the structure and momentum to develop your work without putting the rest of your life on hold.
Testimonials from Ri Projects #1
Earlier this year, we ran a pilot programme with a small cohort of artists. Here's what they had to say...
"I will continue to apply these methods for future projects as they allow for greater clarity and understanding of what lies at the core of my practice. "
"The project helped me draw new connections and explore perspectives and areas that may otherwise have been overlooked."
"The course has challenged me, excited me and left me totally discombobulated with regards to my practice. That, I feel, is a very positive outcome."
"The demarcation between the phases kept me focused at each stage, which made me feel more confident in taking the project further. "
Is Ri Projects for you?
Ri Projects is for artists who want to develop their practice through ambitious projects, honest critique and regular conversation with a small community of fellow artists.You’ll get the most from the programme if you’re curious, committed and open to being challenged. Whether you’re returning to making after focusing on a career, family or other commitments, or you’re looking to bring greater structure, accountability and momentum to an active practice, you’ll be joining a cohort of artists with a shared commitment to developing their work.We welcome artists from a wide range of backgrounds, including self-taught artists, emerging artists, recent graduates and established practitioners.Because each cohort is intentionally limited to around 10–15 artists, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute, receive personal feedback and build lasting relationships within a supportive creative community.
Throughout the year you’ll receive
- Weekly sessions combining discussion, critique and project development- Small-group crit sessions- At least six individual tutorials across the year- Guest talks from practising artists, curators and creative professionals- A final exhibition and showcase- Discounted one-to-one mentoring with Dean, should you want additional supportRather than moving from one disconnected course to another, everything builds towards a sustained body of work developed over the course of the year.
Tuition
We offer flexible payment options to suit your needs.
Join the Founding Cohort
From £80 per month.
Secure your place with a £150 deposit, followed by 10 monthly payments of £80 (total tuition: £950).
Or pay £850 in full and save a further £100.
To celebrate the launch of the new and extended Ri Projects programme, we’re offering reduced tuition to our Founding Cohort. This introductory rate is available until 31 July 2026, or until the first five places have been secured, after which the standard annual tuition fee of £1,200 will apply.
