The Medical Artists’ Education Trust celebrated their 25th anniversary in 2022, holding a celebratory exhibition of student artworks at the Old Operating Theatre and Herb Garret, 9a St Thomas Street, London SE1 9RY, alongside publishing an anniversary and exhibition publication. For a copy of the publication, please see below for further information.
The Medical Artists’ Education Trust is a charitable trust whose primary focus is the advancement of education in medical art, through its Postgraduate Training Programme, workshops and webinars. This Programme teaches the skills required to understand and communicate visually and at all levels, aspects of medicine and surgery. To ensure the course is flexible and open to all, seminars are run on a part-time basis and fees are subsidised. It is intended for artists, or students of science backgrounds, who wish to progress to a professional qualification in medical art and gain professional membership to the Medical Artists’ Association.
The Trust provides Open Days twice a year. Here you can find out about the course and receive portfolio feedback. Written applications are then accepted, and followed by a formal interview with portfolio presentation at the Barber Surgeons’ Hall in London. Interviews are held in March and September with a view to beginning the course in October.
Historical Background
The Medical Artists’ Association was founded as a result of a meeting of practising medical artists in Oxford in April 1949. Selecting and training new entrants into the profession formed it to gain recognition for the profession of medical art and to safeguard standards. It has endeavoured to maintain and improve the contribution the artist can make to medical teaching.
In its short history the Association has seen medical artists take a recognised and respected place in the field of medical education. In 1994 the Association received a bequest on the death of one of its former members, Miss. Charlotte S. Holt, with her express wish that this fund be used to help train and educate future students of medical art. At the same time the Association applied to the Charity Commission of England and Wales to seek charitable status, which was granted in 1997 solely for its training and educational activities.
Photo: Miss Charlotte S. Holt (in red)
The Medical Artists’ Education Trust was thus founded to administer a postgraduate programme in medical art, as a self-governing educational body with charitable status, separate from the MAA itself. On successful completion of this programme the candidate will be awarded full professional membership of the Medical Artists’ Association of Great Britain.
The MAA produces a newsletter and holds an annual conference. It is actively involved with other professional institutes and associations, both in the United Kingdom and Europe. It remains, however, a small friendly group of artists working in and for the continued development of this historic profession.
Anniversary Publication
The thirty-two page exhibition publication, showcasing medical artwork, is available for a nominal £5 as a donation to the Trust. Please follow the link below and a copy will be posted to you.
Donate to the Trust
If you wish to donate to the Medical Artists’ Education Trust, please use the paypal donate button below. Once you click the donation button, you can choose how you wish for your donation to be used. Either towards the running costs of the Trust, student medical art education (which can include text books and medical models), public education and engagement (which can include webinars and workshops) and collaborative science and art projects. Thank you for your help in furthering education!