The Arts and Sciences (A&S) provide the foundation for the beauty and splendor of the SCA. Without them, we wouldn’t know what to wear, what to eat, or how to fight. Through A&S, we learn how people lived during our period and how useful items were created, like spinning and weaving the fabric used in clothing. In addition to researching and reading about these activities, we actually learn how to do these things. At any SCA event or demo, you can find people spinning yarn, weaving fabric or trim, embroidering garments, making jewelry, chain mail, or plate armor, or any one of a number of activities that might have been done by people before the 17th century.

In fact, just about any activity that a person in our period would have done would be considered appropriate to learn about. SCA members investigate and research such things as soap-making, alchemy, siege weapons, portrait painting, gardening, animal husbandry, herbology, cookery, etc. The SCA offers many ways to assist someone who is interested in learning a new skill or gaining knowledge in a particular field. In addition, the SCA promotes A&S by offering its members the opportunity to share work they have completed through displays or through organized competitions at SCA events. These opportunities provide a learning experience for both participants and non-participants.