Created by Open City, the charity behind the acclaimed Open House festival and a much-loved year round programme of public tours, the Golden Key Academy covers everything a skilled guide needs to create and deliver an insightful, entertaining, culturally-aware, critically-ambitious and financially successful outdoor event explaining the city and bringing its many stories to life.
The taught programme – running from February through to September – features a series of informative and interactive lectures covering core competencies including: editorial programming, critical interpretation, and the ethics of cultural production; guiding responsibilities and crowd safety; self-promotion and confidence in public speaking.
Applications will be accepted until Monday 13 January 2025, but apply early to secure your place.
The course fee of £800 is fully inclusive of all sessions, activities, assessments, and administrative costs.
If you are an Open City Friend you will receive a 15% discounts on a full price place on the Golden Key Academy.
Bursaries
Thanks to the support of our sponsors, we are pleased to offer a limited number of bursaries subsidising the course fee to just £650 with instalment payment options available.
We also offer one free place on the course to a candidate otherwise unable to participate in our training.
Please apply early and complete the relevant sections of the form below for consideration for the discounted bursary or free place which aims to open up the art of tour guiding to wider audiences and those experiencing financial hardship.
General Info
Organiser