The Bench Blog November 2025

A brand-new building to inspire young artists

“The Bench building will be a transformative creative hub for our students, and I can’t wait to see their reactions when they walk into such an inspiring space. As Programme Director, it’s incredibly exciting to help shape a campus that will elevate aspirations in Dover and unlock new possibilities for our young artists.” 

Jacob Weeks, Programme Director for Art and Design, EKC Dover College

There’s an uplifting feeling of anticipation as we walk into EKC Dover College, as they prepare to move their Art and Design department into the new Bench building.

We caught up with Amy Ward, Group Head of Marketing and Student Recruitment, and Chantal Massie, Campaigns and Communications Manager, to see what’s planned for the building’s first cohort of art and design students when they join next September.

Art and Design at Dover

Amy explains that there’s a sea change taking place locally: “EKC Dover College is renowned for its more traditional vocational courses such as electrical, plumbing and engineering. Now, we’re extremely proud to say that we’re becoming recognised for our arts offer, as we look forward to moving into our new creative hub in The Bench building next summer.

“We currently offer level two and level three Art and Design University of the Arts London (UAL) courses to our Dover students. Level two sets out the foundation for our learners, so they can explore many different art mediums and start to find their voice as an artist and find out more about what they like. Level three focuses on three main pathways, with students choosing to specialise in fine art, photography or graphic design and illustration.”

Forging relationships with local employers

At EKC Dover College, the focus is on developing strong links with local employers showing students the career paths that are available. The creative skills that they learn can be applied to a range of creative industries. There are businesses in the local area that really need these skills and can benefit from them.

Last year, students worked with Kent Crisps, reimagining and redesigning the packaging. This year, they’re working on a similar project with Solley’s Ice Cream, and the students will gain valuable experience as they help to develop the packaging and advertising for a new flavour.

EKC Dover College’s Art and Design students work closely with external partners, such as the Maison Dieu, Artswork Dover and Cactus Graphics, as well as on community projects including Dover at Night and the Christmas lights switch on events.

The motivational force driving students to aim high

Chantal goes on to talk about the college’s programme director for Art and Design, Jacob Weeks:

“Jacob is a real inspiration to Dover’s art and design students - as both their teacher and mentor - but also as an artist following his passion. He has recently experienced great success with a piece of his art displayed at the prestigious Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition in London. When you have someone who loves what they do, who is very much a practising artist, you cannot help but be motivated and inspired yourself.”

Jacob’s work has also been selected for the Visual Art Open Finalist Exhibition, the ING Discerning Eye at Mall Galleries, and The London Group Open 2025.

Will the programme expand?

The current Art and Design qualifications are for full-time students (typically aged 16 to 19), but the college’s vision is to expand the programme for adult courses too once they have settled into the building. Watch this space!

The teachers and students are looking forward to getting to know their new neighbours (cultural development company, Screen South and new business start-ups, East Kent Spatial Development company) and they have plenty of ideas for collaboration with local schools and the community once they’re established.

Upcoming Open Evenings

If you love art and design and are looking at where to study, come along to the next open evening at EKC Dover College on 24 November 2025, drop in from 4pm to 7pm

• School leavers and adults looking to study UAL courses or to try something new are warmly invited.
• Meet current students and supporting businesses such as Artswork and Cactus Graphics.
• See the EKC Dover College website to register (or just pop in on the day).
• Additional opening evenings take place on Thursday 29 January 2026 (4pm to 7pm) and Tuesday 5 May 2026 (4pm to 7pm).

Other Arts qualifications

Students can study a range of creative and design qualifications across EKC Group’s Colleges at Levels 2, 3 and 4. EKC Group was rated Outstanding by Ofsted in 2023.  

 

The Bench Blog - June 2025 - meet our Contracts Manager and Quantity Surveyor from Jenner Group who explain what the project means to them.

The Bench Blog March 2025 - For International Women's Day we profiled three of our female team members working on the design, architecture and management of the project.