School of Art

School of Art

Since 1853, the Academy has encompassed a school of art, at first known as the Bristol School of Practical Art. This school was supported by artist members of the RWA and studio space was later provided within our building.

In 1936, this became the West of England College of Art, which continued until 1969. Today, the school is managed by the Stroud and South Gloucestershire College (SGS) and still operates within our building, using the oldest life drawing studio in the country still to be in use for its original purpose.

The RWA School of Architecture was officially opened in 1921 by the then Prince of Wales (future King Edward VIII). It was later taken over by the University of Bristol in 1963, and finally closed in 1983.