Get Creative Today!
We've come up with some simple ideas of creative things you could do in your spare time.
We believe that being creative can be good for your mental health and wellbeing - but it's not always easy to know what to do! We've pulled together a list of ideas which should be quick, simple and cheap to do.
Some of this content was published in our Journal which we launched in February 2023.
Give us a tune!
Head to the music practice rooms in Martin Hall to make music – sing your heart out, play the piano or take your own instrument.
Check out some student art
The main corridor in EHB (Loughborough campus) showcases work bought from the School of design and Creative Arts Degree Shows under the Edward Sharp Prize. As well as paintings and textile pieces there’s even a sculpture made from fungus!
Create your own poster
Got a drawing, photo or doodle you’re proud of? Turn it into a poster with Creative and Print Services and put it up in your room or give it to someone. You can order a print of your poster through Creative and Print Services online store.
Go for a sculpture walk
Get some fresh air and exercise while taking in some public art! On our Loughborough campus you can access a Google sculpture trail on your mobile or in London, follow the public art trail starting from Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
Get your hands dirty!
Try making bread, baking, sculpting with air drying clay or another messy craft activity.
We have lots of hands-on arts and crafts workshops running as part of our events programme.
Take some photos
Set yourself a photo challenge and head out and about with your camera (just your phone is fine) to photograph your chosen subject. Subjects might include nature, animals, buildings, sculptures - anything that takes your fancy. Experiment with black and white and different filters and special effects.
Write a poem
Use the poems in our journal as inspiration and have a go at writing your own poetry. it can be a way of capturing your feelings at a moment in time or a reflection on something that has happened. There are lots of different types of poetry you can try to see what works for you, from a three line Haiku to free verse and rhyming poetry.
Dance to your favourite music
Put on your favourite tunes and dance like no-one's watching! Dancing is a great form of exercise too.
If you're a student at our Loughborough campus then there are lots of dance student societies as well as LU Dance Club. For London students there are lots of dance studios and classes in the area near Here East if you do an internet search.
Visit an art gallery or museum
Take a break from your studies or work and visit a gallery or museum. Best of all, entry to many of these places is free.
If you are at our Loughborough campus or in the local area then we've compiled a few suggestions below:
We have a regular programme of lunchtime exhibitions on our Loughborough campus in Martin hall. Check out our events programme for details.
Fine Art Gallery Space (behind Edward Barnsley Building) - any upcoming events will be listed on the School for Design and Creative Arts website
Modern Painters, New Decorators (Carillon Court Shopping Centre)
Sock Gallery (Loughborough Town Hall)
Loughborough Carillon Tower and War Memorial Museum
For London students, pick up an arts map from reception or visit our dedicated London webpage to find out about some of the galleries in your local area - you're spoilt for choice!
Delve into our Radar archive
Check out our weird and wonderful archive of Radar contemporary art projects!
Walk and eat a living artwork!
Walk and eat a living artwork! Discover Fruit Routes, a series of orchards on campus connected by paths planted with edible plants.