'Masterclasses' will offer unique insights from some of the world's most gifted practitioners and will cover a range of disciplines including photography, writing, gardening, cooking and music.
Those directing the courses include:
William Nicholson - twice Oscar-nominated screenwriter, dramatist and novelist
David Montgomery - international photographer whose sitters have included the Queen, Jimi Hendrix, Leonardo Dicaprio and Sienna Miller
Carol Ann Duffy - award-winning Poet laureate and playwright
Tom Parker Bowles - food writer and chef
Alice Bowe - garden designer
The 'Masterclasses' will take place at venues chosen to inspire and provoke open-minded thinking. They will aim to set the bar high and offer stimulating and enlightening experiences.
David Montgomery, internationally renowned photographer, will be directing the first 'Masterclass' in January 2011. He said: "I confess I'm not a great fan of working to a rigid curriculum so instead will use my lifetime's work in a creative way to inspire others by injecting passion, knowledge, fun and photographic intuition. I think what the Guardian has put together is radically different and I'm excited to be involved. "
William Nicholson, twice Oscar-nominated screenwriter, said: "I'm not a teacher, I'm a working writer, and my points of reference throughout this course will be my own work, its successes and failures. I'm not working from a script, and the timetable can be changed as we wish. A writer has to live with failure every day of his or her life. But a writer also lives daily with the addictive buzz of writing."
Alice Bowe, leading garden designer, said: "I'm looking forward to explaining my approach to designing efficient, hardworking gardens, where plants are still the main attraction. My class will start with the basics on the first day and the second day will be spent putting new ideas into practice."
Tony Conigliaro, award-winning drinks pioneer, will deliver an inspiring class in the art of cocktail making. He said: "My class will be aimed at those with a serious interest in making exciting drinks and doing something a little bit more inventive when entertaining friends and family. My influences don't always come from people - sometimes a movement in cuisine, or a book can affect me. Perfumers, for example, bring something very new to the equation."
