Introducing The School of Art (Birmingham City University), Birmingham, UK

Here we feature the beautiful terracotta building in Margaret's Street, Birmingham, home to Birmingham City University's School of Art.


The Birmingham School of Art is on Margaret Street in Birmingham. Now run by Birmingham City University. Between Edmund Street and Cornwall Street. It is next to the Birmingham & Midland Institute.

Birmingham School of ArtBirmingham School of Art (February 2010). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

History of the Birmingham School of Art

The School of Art is opposite Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery (Council House Extension). This used to be The College of Art, part of the old Birmingham Polytechnic, which later became the University of Central England and now Birmingham City University. The Birmingham School of Art was a municipal school based in the centre of Birmingham. Although the organisation was absorbed into the Birmingham Polytechnic in 1971, it is now part of Birmingham City University's Birmingham Institute of Art and Design, it is Grade I listed. The building is on Margaret Street, and it remains part of the university's Department of Fine Art, but it is still commonly referred to its original title. The building is a red Victorian Gothic structure, completed after the death of architect J. H. Chamberlain, by his partner William Martin and his son Frederick Martin. Foundation stone laid in 1884, completed a year later in 1885. An extension was built in 1892-93 by Martin & Chamberlain running east down Cornwall Street. It was renovated and refurbished between 1992 and 1996 by Associated Architects. When it was listed in 1970 it was listed as the Art And Design Annexe, Birmingham Polytechnic.

Birmingham School of ArtBirmingham School of Art (March 2019). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Memorial Stone

This memorial stone was unveiled in May 1884 by Richard Tangye Esq. William Cook Esq. was the Mayor. The architects was William Martin and John Henry Chamberlain.

Birmingham School of ArtMemorial stone at Birmingham School of Art (February 2010). Photography by Elliott Brown

Project dates

23 Sep 2019 - On-going

Passions

History & heritage, Art; Culture & creativity, Education
Modern Architecture

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Contact

Your Place Your Space

Jonathan Bostock

0121 410 5520
jonathan.bostock@ yourplaceyourspace.com