Free self-paced eLearning - Includes a downloadable EDI guidance resource


About This Resource


Not everyone needs the same level of EDI learning.

You may be looking to strengthen your own understanding, choose learning for a wider team, or find something more detailed for people who influence policies, projects, people or organisational practice.

Exploring EDI gives you a short introduction to some of the principles covered in our full courses, before helping you identify the most appropriate learning route.


What will you explore?

The resource introduces some of the key ideas behind equality, diversity and inclusion in creative, cultural and heritage settings.

You will explore:

  • Equality, equity, diversity and inclusion, and how they relate to one another.

  • How access, representation and participation can affect people’s experiences.

  • The relationship between diversity, inclusion and creative practice.

  • How seemingly ordinary decisions can create barriers to participation.

  • Practical questions you can consider within your own work or organisation.

Interactive diagrams, short scenarios and knowledge checks give you a chance to explore the ideas before moving on to the course finder.


Free EDI guidance resource

You will also be able to download our EDI: Key Guidance Resource.

This practical guide brings together:

  • Key EDI principles and terminology.

  • An overview of the Equality Act 2010.

  • Different forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment.

  • Practical prompts covering recruitment, accessibility, workplace culture and participation.

  • Considerations for creative, cultural and heritage organisations.

  • Links to trusted sources of further guidance.

Keep it as a reference for your own work or share it with colleagues.


Find the right learning for you


At the end of the resource, a short course finder will help you consider what level of learning is most relevant.


Understanding EDI: Essential Principles for Inclusive Practice

Designed for people who want to build their understanding of EDI, equality law and inclusive everyday practice.

It is suitable for staff, freelancers, volunteers, practitioners and others who do not necessarily hold responsibility for organisational policies or systems.


Applying EDI: Organisational Practice and Change

Designed for people who manage others, lead projects, influence decisions or help shape organisational practice.

It includes the core learning from Understanding EDI, followed by additional content on areas such as organisational processes, action planning, workforce practice, accessible programme design and monitoring progress.

If you are choosing learning for a wider organisation, the right answer may be a combination of both courses for people with different responsibilities.

Who is this for?

Exploring EDI is useful if you:

  • Are unsure which of our EDI courses is right for you

  • Are choosing learning for colleagues, staff, freelancers or volunteers

  • Want to see the style and approach of our EDI learning before enrolling

  • Would like a short introduction or refresher on some core EDI concepts

  • Want a practical EDI resource to keep and refer back to



How long will it take?

Allow around 20–30 minutes to explore the main activities and course finder. You may want to spend longer if you work through every example or use the downloadable guidance resource alongside the learning.

Start exploring

The resource is completely free. Work through the activities at your own pace, download the guidance and use the course finder to decide which learning route best matches your needs.

This course is brought to you by the expert trainers at Artswork Professional Development, who are proud to share their decades of experience of personal and professional development within the creative, cultural and heritage sectors.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is this a full EDI course?

    No, this is a short, free learning snapshot designed to introduce some key equality, diversity and inclusion concepts, give you a feel for our learning approach and help you identify which of our full EDI courses is most relevant to you.

  • Do I need any previous EDI training?

    No. The resource is designed to be accessible whether you are completely new to EDI or simply want a refresher before deciding which course to take.

  • Is this only useful if I work in the creative, cultural or heritage sectors?

    No. The examples are shaped around creative, cultural and heritage settings, but the underlying principles are relevant much more widely, including charities, community organisations, education and other people-centred settings.

  • Can I use this to choose training for other people?

    Yes. The course finder is designed to help whether you are choosing learning for yourself, for colleagues or for a wider team. It can also help where different people within the same organisation need different levels of learning.

  • What is included in the free resource?

    You will explore a selection of interactive EDI activities, consider some of the key principles behind inclusive practice, download a practical guidance resource and complete a short course finder to help you choose between Understanding EDI and Applying EDI.

  • How long does it take?

    Allow around 20–30 minutes to explore the main activities and course finder. You may want to spend longer if you work through every example or use the downloadable guidance resource alongside the learning.

Choose Your Next Step