Specialist Skills Awards
Dive deeper into the world of calligraphy and related skills, with our Specialist Skills Award courses.
Each course is carefully crafted by Accredited Tutors and teaching Fellows of CLAS, to provide thorough and high-quality instruction, ensuring you receive the best learning experience possible.
Whether you are interested in perfecting letterforms, exploring different styles, or delving into related arts and crafts, these courses cover it all. Not only do they offer a pathway to honing your calligraphy skills, but they also open doors to broader artistic exploration.
And if you have your sights set on gaining the CLAS Diplomas, the Specialist Skills Award courses are an excellent resource to help you prepare and excel in your journey towards that goal.
For further details or to express your interest in arranging a course, please reach out to the Specialist Skills Awards Administrator at ladder@clas.co.uk.
For the SSA Tutor Agreement document for affiliated groups, please contact ladder@clas.co.uk.
List of CLAS Specialist Skills Awards
CLAS Specialist Skills Awards: A Guide for the Course Organiser
Specialist Skills Awards Topics
Majuscules Medley
Uncial
Italic
Copperplate
Design I and Design II
Colour & Texture
Traditional Skills
Gilding
Heraldry
Alternative Tools
Teaching Calligraphy
About the Courses
All SSA tutors are Accredited by CLAS and / or are teaching Fellows.
Each course generally spreads across one year, giving time for work to be created in between sessions. Submission of work for Award assessment is optional, not compulsory. If a candidate is successful in attaining the Award, a certificate will be presented at the following AGM.
In-person and at any location in the country
If you’re interested in a course that’s entirely in-person, a CLAS Affiliated Group will organise it. If you’re keen on joining a Specialist Skills Award course, please reach out to the workshop organiser of a nearby group you’re willing to travel to. If there’s enough interest to hold a course within that group, they will coordinate with the CLAS Specialist Skills Awards administrator.
See our list of CLAS Affiliated Groups to find one closest to you.
Online
The aim of providing the SSA in online formats is to enhance accessibility and encourage calligraphers without access to a CLAS Affiliated Group to reach out directly to the SSA administrator for guidance on establishing such courses.
Join Our Community
Become a CLAS member and enjoy a wealth of benefits — from receiving The Edge magazine and CLASnews updates, to reduced fees for courses and competitions. Members also gain exclusive access to our diploma, free entry to the annual exhibition, and opportunities to exhibit their work.