About us

We provide free art history courses to under-represented students, providing life-changing opportunities for those who study with us while transforming the future of the arts in the UK.

Since 2016, Art History Link-Up has been providing opportunities for young people in state supported education to study art history without charge in their free time. We foster a community of art history lovers by offering the very best teaching. We work in partnership with significant collections such as the Courtauld Institute, the National Gallery and Waddesdon Manor.

We offer a range of courses including Art History A Level and Art History EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) to students across the UK. We are currently piloting accredited programmes for younger students. Over 500 young people from more than 300 state schools across the UK have studied with us, many of whom go on to study Art History at university.

A Message from our CEO

As an Art History teacher, I passionately believe in the power of art history to transform lives. I founded Art History Link-Up because I believe that all young people should have the opportunity to study the subject.

It gives us great pleasure to work with a truly diverse cohort of committed, enthusiastic students each year who gain a vital interest in art history, confidence, the opportunity to gain qualifications, like-minded friendships and new careers paths. No other charity is doing this work but it wouldn’t be possible without the support of generous individuals, organisations and partners.

Rose Aidin,
Founder & CEO

Our Reach

+500



Students have studied with us

+300


State Supported Schools

48%







Students from ethnic minority backgrounds

Why our work matters

Development of important and transferable skills

Through art history, students develop observation, communication, creative, critical, and theoretical thinking skills, along with cultural understanding and interdisciplinary connections.

Nurturing future talent

Art History leads to diverse careers in a visual world. The Creative Industries employed 2.4 million people and generated £126 billion for the UK in 2022. There's a vital need to offer arts education to all young people.

Making museums and art relevant for younger generations

Art offers life-long enjoyment and career paths. By boosting young people's confidence to engage with art, we provide skills, opportunities, and ensure museums remain relevant to future generations.

Diversifying the sector

The arts must reflect society. Only 3% of UK gallery staff are ethnic minorities. In 2022/23, 48% of our students were ethnic minorities. We aim to promote social mobility and diversify the arts sector.

Providing much-needed teaching in a reducing field

Arts GCSE entries fell 47% in the last decade, with a 23% reduction in arts teachers. Art History Link-Up collaborates to offer arts teaching and learning in a declining field.

AHLU was very influential in my confidence in navigating art history and I’m sure is a large reason I did well in the Cambridge interview process and was awarded a place. I’m really grateful for the opportunities that AHLU gave me, especially coming from a low-income, immigrant household where art history as a field felt entirely out of reach.

– 
ALHU Student

Meet the people behind AHLU

Rose Aidin

Founder and Chief Executive

Rose Aidin founded Art History Link-Up in 2016. She has undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Western and Asian Art History, a PGCE with QTS teaching qualification in Art and Art History, and extensive experience of teaching in the state-supported and independent sectors. Rose started her career in the commercial art world, then in journalism at The Art Newspaper, and as a freelance writer specialising in modern and contemporary art, and the art market. It was the Saatchi, Tate Modern and Young British Artist years and so Rose interviewed many of the artists whose work AHLU now teaches, for publications including The Times, Sunday Times, Guardian, Observer, Telegraph, and The Financial Times.

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Fay Lofty

Research and Evaluation Coordinator

Fay Lofty has worked on social justice and educational outreach programmes for over a decade. She was involved in delivering the National Aim Higher programme in the South East, then with the Widening Participation team at the University of Brighton. Most recently she has been working on the delivery of the Office for Students’ Uni Connect programme in Sussex. Fay has a BA in English Literature and an MA in Education Studies from the University of Sussex.

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Ludo Amory

Education and Outreach Officer

Ludo Amory graduated from the University of Cambridge with a BA in History of Art and from the Courtauld Institute with an MA in Conceptual Art. He is keenly interested in contemporary art, urban theory and palaeontology. He is passionate about Art History Link-Up, having seen at first-hand the ways in which the charity has been transformative for young peoples’ aspirations and opportunities. Ludo has been working with AHLU since 2019.

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Nadine Thompson

Marketing and Communications Consultant

Nadine is a marketing and communications consultant with substantial experience in the cultural and heritage sector that spans brand development, promotional and fundraising campaigns, capital development projects, audience development strategies and corporate communications. Having led communications and marketing teams in-house at Tate, the English National Opera and the Art Fund, she went on to be the COO of an international communications company working with a wide range of clients across the commercial and not-for-profit sectors. She works as a consultant for Art History Link-Up. Nadine has a degree in Art History from the Courtauld and is one of our EPQ mentors.

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Lauren Blake

Lauren Blake recently completed her MA at the Courtauld Institute. She previously studied Modern Languages and Cultures at Durham University where she found her primary interest in the intersection of religious arts and phenomenology. Lauren has worked with AHLU since 2023.

Beatrice Dallas

Beatrice studied History of Art at the University of Edinburgh before an MA at the Courtauld Institute. Beatrice facilitates museum and gallery workshops for both student and adult audiences, and is a gallery educator at the National Portrait Gallery. She has been working with AHLU since 2024.

Jack Dunleavy

Jack Dunleavy is AHLU’s Lead Teaching Assistant. Jack went to a comprehensive school in London, where he took Art History A level, before studying English and History of Art at the University of York. He is currently a postgraduate student at Goldsmiths, University of London. Jack has worked with AHLU since 2017.

Stephanie Farmer

Stephanie Farmer is Head of Art History at Notting Hill & Ealing High School, having taught Art and Art History at Townley Grammar School. She has an MA in Art History and a BFA in Fine Art. She has also worked for arts organisations, including the British Council. Stephanie is currently undertaking a PGCE with QTS. Stephanie has worked with AHLU since 2020.

Matilda Fleming

Matilda Fleming studied English and History of Art at the University of Glasgow before completing an MA at the Courtauld Institute. Since graduating, Matilda had worked in educational roles in a variety of museums and galleries, currently at the National Portrait Gallery. Matilda has worked with AHLU since 2021.

Ed Hands

Ed Hands is a recent graduate of Critical Practice from the Royal College of Art. Alongside teaching, and offering volunteer technical support and photography to Art History Link-Up, Ed is Director of Studies at Art History Abroad and a Visiting Lecturer on the Foundation in Art and Design programme at the University of Westminster. Ed has worked with AHLU since 2022.

Dr Roz Hayes

Roz Hayes first became interested in Art History during her Foundation in Art and Design at Plymouth College of Art, and went on to study a combined honours in History and History of Art at the University of York. She recently received a PhD from the History of Art department at UCL, where she researched animals, art, and nineteenth-century Britain. Roz has worked with AHLU since 2019.

Nicola Hepworth

Nicola Hepworth has a degree in Fine Art (History of Art and Art) from the University of Edinburgh and a PGCE from the Institute of Education. She teaches History of Art at The West London Free School and is a practising painter. Nicola has worked with AHLU since 2021.

Katerina Mesterovic

Katerina Mesterovic studied History of Art and Ancient History at the University of Sydney before completing her MA at the Courtauld Institute. Katerina has worked with AHLU since 2023.

Marjotte Miles

Marjotte Miles studied Art History at the Courtauld Institute before completing an MA at the University of Oxford. She is currently undertaking a PhD with the Museums of Liverpool. Marjotte has worked with AHLU since 2019.

Isaac Nugent

Isaac Nugent studied Art and History of Art at the University of Edinburgh and completed an MA in Cultural, Intellectual and Visual History at the Warburg Institute. He is currently undertaking a PhD in Art History at the University of York. Isaac has worked with AHLU since 2020.

Eliza Owen

Eliza Owen graduated from The Ruskin School of Art, University of Oxford, in 2022. She works as a practicing artist in London, with work in the contemporary collections of the Ashmolean Museum and Mansfield College, Oxford. She is currently undertaking a Masters in Fine Art at the Slade School of Fine Art, University College London, as the Thomas Scholar.

Meitao Qu

Meitao Qu studied Fine Art and Art History at Goldsmiths College before specialising in contemporary Chinese art at the Courtauld Institute. She graduated from the MFA program at the Ruskin School of Art and is currently pursuing a visual art practice alongside teaching roles in Art and Art History. Meitao has worked with AHLU since 2021.

Jessica Raja-Brown

Jessica Raja-Brown studied History of Art at the University of Cambridge. She is currently studying for an MA in Curating the Art Museum at the Courtauld Institute. Jessica has worked with AHLU since 2023.

Dr Tilly Scantlebury

Tilly Scantlebury gained a PhD at the Courtauld, following an MA degree there and an undergraduate degree in Art History from University College, London. Tilly is an educator at the National Gallery and Courtauld, delivering accessible arts talks and workshops to schools, colleges and adults across the UK. Tilly was AHLU’s first teaching assistant in 2016-17, and re-joined the AHLU teaching team in 2022.

Jo Selman-Smith

Jo Selman-Smith holds an undergraduate degree in English and Comparative Literature from Goldsmiths University, then completed The Courtauld’s Graduate Diploma in History of Art, followed by an MA. She teaches Art History A level at St Mary’s School School. Jo has worked with AHLU since 2022.

Sanyukta Shrestha

Sanyukta Shrestha recently completed an MA in Buddhist Art History and Conservation at the Courtauld Institute and is also an artist and filmmaker. Sanyukta has worked with AHLU since 2023.

Elisa Stafferini

Elisa Stafferini studied Art History at the Università di Roma la Sapienza and is currently completing a PhD at the Warburg Institute, University of London. She has taught courses on iconography and iconology at La Sapienza and currently works as a teaching assistant at University College, London. Elisa's interests include early modern art, the relationship between texts and images, and early feminist discourses. She is passionate about making the art history accessible to all and is excited to be a part of AHLU.

Henry Tudor Pole

Henry Tudor Pole took a foundation year at the Royal Drawing School and a BA in History of Art at the University of Oxford. He tcompleted an MA in History of Art at UCL, and is currently undertaking a PhD on Carlo Crivelli. He teaches Art History A Level at Harris Westminster Academy and pursues a practice in critical and creative writing. Henry has worked with AHLU since 2022.

Fania Weatherby

Fania Weatherby graduated from the University of Oxford (BA Hons, History of Art) and the Courtauld Institute (MA). She has led Art History programmes in major museums across Europe, and taught Art History A Level at Wycombe Abbey and Westminster School. Fania has worked with AHLU since 2022.

Dr Penny Wickson

Penny Wickson completed her MPhil and PhD in History of Art at the University of Birmingham. She is currently Head of History of Art at St Mary’s, Calne. She worked for many years as a examiner and Team Leader for AQA and as a Scrutineer for Pearson Edexcel. Penny has worked with AHLU since 2021.

Toby Monk

Chair

Toby Monk is a director at Christie’s, overseeing Global Recruitment and Engagement. He sits on the global committee for Equality Diversity & Inclusion and chairs the Corporate Social Responsibility committee for EMEA. Toby has an MBA, holds Chartered Manager status, is CIPD Qualified and has a degree in Economics and Social History.

Jessie Bridgett

Secretary

Jessie Bridgett is a solicitor who specialises in litigation. She advises individuals, charities and companies on various contentious issues and has volunteered for legal advice centres and charities. She studied History at Yale University where she volunteered at the Yale University Art Gallery. She then worked at Christie's before embarking on her legal career.

Ngân Jones

Treasurer

Ngân is a Finance Professional who currently works for a private equity firm. Previously she worked for a number of UK Government departments after graduating from the University of Cambridge with Economics degrees and gaining her accounting qualification at PwC. In her free time, she is a blogger and writer, with has a keen interest in theatre and art.

Katherine Taylor

Vice Chair

Katherine Taylor is Pfizer UK’s Patient Advocacy lead, working with organisations that champion the needs of patients across multiple conditions. She is formerly Chief Executive of Ovarian Cancer Action. Katherine studied History of Art at the Courtauld following an MA in History from Trinity College, Cambridge.

Taymoor Atighetchi

Trustee

Taymoor Atighetchi is British-Iranian. He studied History of Art at the University of Cambridge. Taymoor is CEO of Papier and attributes much of his success to his background in art history and visual culture. He is passionate about widening access to the arts and to associated careers.

Sophie Bloomfield

Trustee

Sophie Bloomfield is a former Junior Policy Fellow of Cambridge University’s Centre for Science and Policy, and holds an MA in Classics from Emmanuel College, the University of Cambridge. Sophie has worked in the Office of the Chief Executive and Chairman at NatWest Group, and at HM Treasury.

Kate Gordon

Trustee

Kate Gordon is the founder and CEO of London Art Studies and a co-founder of the Association of Women in the Arts. A trustee of The Art Academy and Chair of Serpentine Patrons, she is also Senior Advisor (Arts) to Cancer Research UK and a member of Chelsea & Westminster Hospital’s CW+ Design Board.

Zainab Hakim

Trustee

Zainab Hakim is a solicitor specialising in employment law. She acts for companies and individuals across a range of industries. Zainab studied History of Art at University College London and worked as a programme director for an educational charity, teaching in inner-city state schools across the world.

Dr Judith Jammers

Trustee

Judith Jammers is Head of Art History at Highgate School. She has a PGCE, has worked as an examiner for AQA and Pearson, and is extremely familiar with the delivery and assessment of the Art History syllabus. Judith studied Art History, Classical Archaeology and Philosophy of Religion at Freie Universität Berlin and her PhD in History of Art is from Humboldt Universität Berlin.

Dr Joe Spence

Trustee

Joe Spence was Master of Dulwich College and co-director of the Southwark Schools’ Learning Partnership. He is a trustee of the Mark Evison Foundation and also a playwright and librettist.

Verity Babbs

Founder, Art Laughs

Deborah Drake

Owner and Creative Director, D3S

Maya Fletcher-Smith

MA Candidate, Curating the Art Exhibition, The Courtauld Institute of Art

Molly Gearan

PhD Candidate in History at Magdalene College, University of Cambridge

Angela Inglese

Head of History of Art, Senior Tutor, St Dominic’s Sixth Form College

Ananya Jain

MA Candidate, History of Art, The Courtauld Institute of Art

Dr Judith Jammers

Head of Art History, Highgate School

Katy Landles

Exhibition and Sales Assistant, Valerie Max Hetzler

Tom Mackinnon

MA Candidate in Art History, Curatorship and Renaissance Culture, The Warburg Institute

Jess Raja-Brown

MA Candidate, Curating the Art Exhibition, The Courtauld Institute of Art

Angus Maguire

Founder, Angus Maguire Ltd

Dr Thomas Marks

Associate Fellow, The Warburg Institute, University of London

Andy Mee

Head of Art History and English Teacher, University College School

Joanna Meeson

Art Consultant, Art Historian, Art History Course Director and Art History Teacher

Christina O’Brian

MA Candidate in Conservation of Easel Paintings

Marjotte Miles

ESRC funded History PhD Candidate, University of Liverpool

Tom Parsons

History of Art and English Teacher, St Mary’s School Ascot

Jo Selman-Smith

Art History Teacher, St Mary’s School Ascot

Oliver Brind

Head of Business Development, Aperio Intellegence Limited

Dr Joe Spence

Former Master, Dulwich College

Lily Thomson

Intern, Christie’s

Nadine Thompson

Arts and Heritage Consultant

Dr Penny Wickson

Head of History of Art, St Mary’s Calne

Lydia Willford

Freelance Writer and History of Art Graduate, University of Cambridge

Samuel Yates

Teacher of History and Law, Crimson Global Academy

Where our students come from

AHLU students join our courses from state supported schools across the UK. Find out the schools and colleges AHLU alumni have studied at:

AHLU Schools & Colleges

Art History is under threat

We believe art history should be for everyone, however fewer than 1% of state supported secondary schools offer Art History A Level. As a result, there is a lack of diversity in the arts sector and an increasing skills shortage. We are the only charity offering formal Art History teaching to school-aged students from all backgrounds. Your financial support will ensure that everyone has an opportunity to study art history: together we can transform the future of the arts.

Donate now