National College of Art
Other names: Metropolitan School of Art (1877), National College of Art and Design (from 1971)
Foundation date: 1938
Function: Art school
History or description: New name given to Metropolitan School of Art, Dublin in 1938. First appears as new title in Director's Report for session 1937-1938, dated 28th Dec. 1938.
Also noted in the same report [above], that due to an 'insufficient demand for instruction in the craft, the Stained Glass class was suspended as from the 3rd Feb. 1938, and the accommodation was subsequently adapted for carving in wood and stone'.
Additionally, reference was made to accommodation and facilities in the college being provided for the artists commissioned to execute the interior decorative panels for the Irish Pavilion at the Glasgow exhibition, 1938.
For further information about the National College of Art see entries for Metropolitan Schools of Art, Dublin and National College of Art and Design.
Institutional and Business Connections
Formed out of Metropolitan School of Art, Dublin
1938 - 1971
Precursor to National College of Art and Design (NCAD)
1971
Associated People
Assistant teachers of sculpture included Wilfrid Edgar Dudeney
11 April 1938 - 25 September 1939
As outlined in Director's Annual Report of the National College of Art (formerly Metropolitan School of Art, Dublin), for the session 1937-1938, p. 4. He took up his post on 11th April 1938.
Appointment renewed for session 1938-39, as per letter to Dudeney from Dept., NCAD Reports and Minutes Folder, file 27.
Handwritten note in same file above, stating that Dudeney had called to the college on 25th Sept. 1939 and stated that he was returning to England on 26th Sept. 1939. A letter received from him prior to his departure in which he requested leave of absence during the war. His modelling tools were handed by him to Registrar to be kept for him until later.
Competition for the part-time post of Assistant to the professor of Sculpture in the National College of Art.
Conditions of Service:
Contract states that the appointment is temporary and non-pensionable. 3 mths notice by either side. Post is part-time and subject to the direction of the Prof. of Sculpture, and '...give no less than 20 hrs instruction weekly, throughout the school session. Also 'to act as demonstrator in modelling, casting and carving, and will include day and evening attendance as may be required'.
Post offered at salary as follows:
Man 200-0-0 per annum inclusive.
Woman 160-0-0 per annum inclusive.
At the foot of this typescript copy, is notated by hand in black ink :' Mr. Wilfred Edgar Dudeney took up duty on 11th April 1938'.
Principals included Michael Bourke
1941 - 1945 (Circa)
'M. De Burca' signed the Director's Annual Reports of the National College of Art for three successive years, sessions ending 1942, 1943, 1944 and additionally see below
Letter of resignation, addressed to Bourke as 'Director of the National College of Art', from Peter Grant, dated Dec. 7th 1944.
Professors of design included Johannes Bernardus Romein
1 June 1938
As outlined in Director's Annual Report of the National College of Art (formerly Metropolitan School of Art, Dublin), for the session 1937-1938, p. 4.
Appointed 'Professor of the School of Design in Industry'.
Professors of sculpture included Friedrich Herkner
18 March 1938
Appointed Professor of School of Sculpture at the National College of Art, Dublin (formerly the Metropolitan School of Art), on 18 March 1938. Above reported in Director's Annual Report on the College, p. 3. Dec. 1938.
Professors of sculpture included Laurence Campbell
30 October 1939
As mentioned in the Director's Report of the National College of Art, Dublin, 1938-39, p. 4:
'Appointed acting Professor of the School of Sculpture, and took up duty on 30th October, 1939'.
As mentioned in NCAD Reports and Minutes File, file no. 29. Letter from Director M. De Burca to the Chief Inspector [of the Ed. Dept?].
Mr Campbell was Acting Professor [of sculpture] from October 1939 and has been reappointed for each session since then (letter dated 5 Nov 1942), seeking appointment of an Assistant, as owing to the increasing numbers studying sculpture, afternnon classes also need to be given, in addition to Campbell's classes 3 mornings per week.
Teachers of design included Art O'Murnaghan
23 January 1939
As mentioned in the Director's Report of the National College of Art, Dublin, 1937-38:
'A special class was arranged for the study of original design of Celtic ornament, and begasn on the 23rd of January, 1939, with Mr. Art O' Murnaghan as instructor'.
Teachers of sculpture included Peter Grant
14 March 1940 - 7 December 1944
First letter of appointment dated 14th March 1940, see NCAD Reports and Minutes Files, file no. 29.
Letter of resignation, addressed to Bourke as 'Director of the National College of Art', from Peter Grant, dated Dec. 7th 1944. In same file as above.
March 1940. Grant employed as an Assistant Teacher of Modelling in the college for two hours each week from 1st March to May 31st. Remuneration of 10/- per two hours of actual reaching.
30 Jan. 1940. Grant reappointed to same position from 31st Jan to 31st May at same remuneration nad hours.
13th Feb. 1942. Grant reappointed to same position from 16th Feb. to 22nd May.
1st Feb. 1943. Grant reappointed to same position, but max of 15 hrs per week instead, at rate of 5/- per hour.
5th Oct. 1943. Grant reappointed to same position for max 15 hrs per week at 5/0 per hour and commemnced on 5th Oct 1943.
Grant taught up to and including 28th June 1944, when he left to do special private work (erection of monument to Fr. Manus Sweeney, Achill). Mr. Donal Murphy acted as substitute for Mr. Grant up to end of session w/ending 28th July 1944. Paid by Mr. Grant.
Sources
National College of Art, Dublin. Director's Report for the Session 1937-1938 Director's Annual Reports
New name given to Metropolitan School of Art in 1938. First appears as new title in Director's Report for session 1937-1938, 28 December 1938.
Citing this record
'National College of Art', Mapping the Practice and Profession of Sculpture in Britain and Ireland 1851-1951, University of Glasgow History of Art and HATII, online database 2011 [http://sculpture.gla.ac.uk/view/organization.php?id=msib3_1216815655, accessed 28 Sep 2023]
