Birmingham Society of Arts and School of Design
Foundation date: September 1843
Dissolution date: 1885
Active: 1820 - 1885
Function: Art society
History or description: Founded by John Wilkes Unett who 'publicly brought forward the plan of the Society of Arts' in 1820. ['Report', 3 February 1857]
In March 1843 the 'Society of Arts' was approached by the Government Council of the School of Art and Design, London, with the suggestion that it be made into an 'Art School'. The Council insisted that to receive their funding the Society would make 'the School of Design their sole object.' In return the Council would provide books, plaster casts and a grant of £150 per year. ['Minutes', 14 March 1843] This grant was increased to £250 from 1844. The Society agreed to these terms but added that there should be an 'Annual Exhibition of Sculpture, Painting, Models and Specimens of new inventions in works of Art connected with the Manufacturers of the Town and Neighbourhood.' ['Minutes' 25 April 1843]
Following the Society of Arts collaboration with the Government School of Design, and its primary focus being the running of an 'Art School', it was suggested in June 1843 that the Artists (Society of Artists) who were part of the 'Society of Arts' at this time, 'carry on their operations' and continue to hold exhibitions in the rooms of the 'Society of Arts' on payment of rent. ['Minutes' 18 June 1843] The artists then requested a permanent home in the rooms of the Society of Arts. However, this was declined and instead it was suggested they pay rent to use the building for exhibitions. ['Minutes' 6 July 1843]
The minutes of the Annual General Meeting, September 1843, describe the 'withdrawal of the Professional Committee [i.e. the Society of Artists] and subsequent formation by them of a separate society.' The following document entitled 'Laws and Regulations of the Birmingham Society of Arts and School of Design' (1843), stated that the 'Society shall henceforth be called 'The Birmingham Society of Arts and School of Design', and shall conducted on the plan, and in connection with, the Government School of Design in London.' There would be a committee of 21 annually elected members, and this committee would elect the chair and vice-chair. There would also be 'an exhibition of works connected with the objects of the Society, at such times, and under such restrictions, as shall be appointed by the Committee.' These exhibitions would normally coincide with the Annual General meetings typically lasting for 1-4 days and would be held at the Rooms of the Royal Society of Artists.
There is no mention of classes in 'modelling' in the minutes until May 1845 when the Lawley Prizes list awards for 'modelling'. However, the 1850 annual report described the growing numbers of students in the modelling class, which led to the use of an old store room to accommodate them. From 1851 a moulder was employed in the 'Modelling Branch of Art', 'an expense which your Committee consider they are justified in incurring, in consequence of the superior merit of the production in this class.' ['Report' 1851]
In a report on the 'Schools of Design' (1850) by the Head School of Design, Somerset House, London, Birmingham School is recorded as sending ten models for inspection 'of average merit, but we think this branch of study not sufficiently attended to considering its value to the local manufacturers.' It continues 'we feel called upon to remark, that it would afford valuable assistance to the students if the plan adopted in the head school, of having the works of the best students cast by an experienced modeller at the expense of the school, were adopted in each branch school.' The report records the number of works sent by each branch school: in the modelling category Birmingham sent two 'ornaments', five 'figures' and two models 'from nature, flowers, etc.'
A more detailed report by Ambrose Poynter on the Birmingham School to the Board of Trade (included in the 1850 'Schools of Design' report and dated the 23 October 1849) stated: 'the modelling class is on the increase, but not so rapidly as could be wished, and does not at the present time exceed 15. Mr. Kirke gives satisfaction both to the head master and to the pupils ... it is to be hoped, therefore that the class will ultimately assume its proper importance; but it is certain that any tendency to sudden expansion would be checked by want of room. The committee propose, however, to take in an additional space, which can be made available for the modelling class ...'
Ambrose Poynter's report also discussed the activities of female students: 'It is to be wished that the school might have the effect of extending in favour of females the employments in which their taste and skill might be advantageously brought into action'. It is suggested that 'the manufacture of paper boxes ... is a great and increasing trade in Birmingham, and employs at the present time above 500 women and girls.'
In 1867 the Modelling class had 24 students 'chasers, die sinkers, modellers, jewellers, designers', and its success was recorded as 'being the largest number that has ever attended this Class hitherto. Although the Modelling Class, as far as the Committee has been able to learn is the best attended for any similar class in the Kingdom (not excepting that of South Kensington), it is much to be regretted that want of room at present precludes a further development of it.' ['Annual Report' 1867] It is unclear from the meeting minutes whether or not modelling classes were open to female students; however, in the 1878 listings modelling classes were listed under the 'Male School', but not under the 'Female School'.
The first Branch Schools of the Central School are listed in the report from July 1854.
An extract from the Minutes of the Birmingham and Midland Institute report, printed in the Society's Meeting Minutes from April 1853 defines the relationship between the Society of Arts and the Society of Artists: 'That each Society be absolutely independent of, and uncontrolled by, the other, in its constitution and government' and that 'the present buildings in New Street, known as the Society of Arts, be placed at the disposal of the Society of Artists on certain conditions.' The New Street buildings were still owned by the Society of Arts, but occupied under a tenancy agreement that could only be terminated by the Society of Artists [sic].
From 1870 negotiations began to obtain a separate building for the Society of Art and School of Design's class, as the Institute needed more space to hold its own classes. In 1871 the Society of Arts and School of Design acquired new rooms in Paradise Street described as having been 'formerly a museum', to hold Advanced Classes (these did not include the modelling). ['Report' December 1871] These rooms were in 'Queen's College'.
From July 1875 the Society of Arts was offered £500 from the Society of Arts for the permanent control of the New Street Premises, with the condition that the former would still be granted 21 days in February to hold its exhibition. ['Minutes' 25 July 1875] This was finally resolved and agreed to in February 1877.
Employees, Students & Members
Numbers: 514
Period Start: 1849
Period End: 1850
Percentage Male/Female: 365/-265
Numbers: 520
Period Start: 1851
Period End: 1852
Percentage Male/Female: 386/-286
Numbers: 505
Period Start: 1855
Period End: 1856
Numbers: 923
Period Start: 1862
Period End: 1863
Percentage Male/Female: 754/-654
Numbers: 1009
Period Start: 1864
Period End: 1865
Numbers: 1010
Period Start: 1870
Period End: 1871
Percentage Male/Female: 1219/-1119
Numbers: 1151
Period Start: 1874
Period End: 1875
Locations
Located at New Street master Birmingham England | View on map
1843 - 1853
Located at Temple Row Birmingham England | View on map
1856
Society's rooms were located here.
Exhibitions were held in the rooms.
Meeting room at New Street master Birmingham England | View on map
1843 - 1867
Annual General Meeting were held rooms in New Sreet.
School located at Paradise Street Birmingham England | View on map
1864 - 1885
Meetings held here. Temporary classes were held here from 1881 to 1882. The School was located there from 1882.
School located at Council House Ann Street Birmingham England | View on map
1879 - 1882
Temporary Offices of the School of Art; 'by the kindess of the Town Council, the work of the School will be carried on, during the alterations at the Midlands Institute, in the rooms at the Council House.'
Exhibitions, Courses, Meetings and other Events
Organized The Midlands Association Prize (Birmingham Society of Arts and School of Design), 1884-1903
1884 - 1898
£10
Organized China and Enamel Painting (Birmingham Society of Arts and School of Design), 1878-1885
1878 - 1885
Organized Modelling and Drawing from the Antique and from the Life (Birmingham Society of Arts and School of Design), 1878-1885
1878 - 1885
£1 12s. 6d.
Classes offered included Models of the figure in relief from cast (Birmingham Society of Arts and School of Design), 1878-1885
1878 - 1885
£1 12s. 6d.
Classes offered included Models of head from life (Birmingham Society of Arts and School of Design), 1878-1885
1878 - 1885
Classes offered included Models of head, from copy, full size as a Medallion in low relief (Birmingham Society of Arts and School of Design), 1878-1885
1878 - 1885
£1 12s. 6d.
Organized Special Prize (Birmingham Society of Arts and School of Design), 1878-1885
1878 - 1885
Promoted Messenger Prize (Birmingham and Midland Institute), 1878-1951
1878 - 1885
Details of the Prize were included in the Programmes of the School: 'The attention of students is directed to the following extract from the programme of the Birmingham and Midland Institute.'
Organized Modelling Class Exhibition (Birmingham Society of Arts and Government School of Art), 1859
17 February 1859 (Presumed)
Organized Modelling Class Prizes (Birmingham Society of Arts and Government School of Art), 1851-1866
1851 - 1866 (Presumed)
Organized Lawley Prizes (Birmingham Society of Arts and School of Design), 1845-1852
May 1845 (Presumed) - June 1852 (Presumed)
No listing of the Lawley prize in minutes from June 1952 onwards.
Institutional and Business Connections
Associated with Birmingham Society of Artists
March 1843 (Presumed) - July 1875
The 'Birmingham Society of Artists' split from the 'Birmingham Society of Arts' in March 1843. Negotiations over property lasted until 1875. The Society of Arts held exhibitions at the Society of Artists rooms in New Street.
Collaborated with Birmingham and Midland Institute
1853 (Probable) - 1867
Used rooms at the Institute for classes. First use of rooms here was recorded in the summer of 1859 when 'the long contemplated removal of the School to the rooms provided for it at the Institute Building was effected' ['Report' 17 February 1859].
An extract from the Minutes of the Birmingham and Midland Institute report, printed in the Society's Meeting Minutes from April 1853 defines the relationship between these two organizations: 'That each Society be absolutely independent of, and uncontrolled by, the other, in its constitution and government' and that 'the present buildings in New Street, known as the Society of Arts, be placed at the disposal of the Society of Artists on certain conditions.'
Collaborated with The Midlands Association of Flint and Glass Manufacturers
1884 - 1885
Received prize from Hart, Son, Peard & Co.
1878 - 1879
Succeeded by Birmingham Municipal School of Art, Central School
1885
Associated People
Employed John Gough
1878 - 1885
Curator of the Central School of the Birmingham Society of Arts and School of Design.
Headmasters included Clarke
1849 (Circa) - 1850 (Circa)
Listed as Headmaster in the report on the 'Schools of Design', London, 1850.
Headmasters included Edward Richard Taylor
1878 - 1885
Members included Peter Hollins
1851 - April 1876
Listed as a trustee from April 1876 onwards.
Officers included Peter Hollins
1853 - February 1872
Committee member.
Officers included Samuel Messenger
1853 - 1872
Committee member.
Presidents included W. Morris
1878 - 1879
Presidents included George Edmund Street
1880 - 1881
Presidents included Hubert von Herkomer
1881 - 1882
Presidents included Alfred Waterhouse
1882 - 1883
Presidents included William Blake Richmond
1883 - 1884
Principals included Peter Hollins
1851 - June 1852 (Presumed)
Headmaster.
Principals included George Wallis
1855 (Presumed) - 1857
Headmaster. The First Annual Report of the Wolverhampton School of Practical Art (1855) (in 'Minute Book', c. 1851) notes that Mr. George Wallis was the current head of the Birmingham School of Art.
Principals included D.W. Raimbach
1857 - 1876
Headmaster.
Students included Frank G. Jackson
1850 (Circa)
Described as a pupil of the school 'more than fifty years ago'. See 'Mr. F. G. Jackson', Birmingham Daily Post, 28 December, 1904, in 'Birmingham Biography', vol. 5, (1904-1906), pp. 75-76.
Students included George T. Morgan
1866 - 1867
Probably studied here; there was a student named George Morgan
Students included Hayes
1875 (Presumed) - 1876 (Presumed)
Possibly a student here. Listed as Thomas Hayes, and won a prize for Modelling in 1876 [see \'Minutes\' 3 August 1876].
Teachers included T.E. Davis
1878 - 1882
Teacher of 'China and Enamel Painting' at the Central School of the Birmingham Society of Arts and School of Design.
Teachers included William Sidwell Butler
1 July 1914 - 1914 (Presumed)
Listed in the Staff Book (c.1900-1921) as teacher of Modelling at the Golds Hill Road Brach School of the Central Municipal School of Art.
Teachers of architecture included A. Freeman Smith
1884 - 1885
Teacher of 'Solid Geometry, Building Construction, Machine Drawing and Architecture.'
Teachers of modeling included Kirke
1849 (Circa) - 1850 (Circa)
Listed in the report on the 'Schools of Design', London, 1850.
Teachers of modeling included William Henry Sounes
1857 - September 1863
Master of Modelling. After this appointment Sounes went on to be Head Master of the Sheffield School of Art.
Teachers of modeling included Charles H. Whitaker
September 1863 - December 1867
Master of Modelling. Replaced W.H. Sounes. Decribed as having also 'occupied the same position for a short time' before either 1857 or 1863 [summary - dates unclear from minutes - see 'Birmingham School of Arts and Government School of Art' report 1863].
Teachers of modeling included Charles Toft
January 1868 - 1873
Master of Modelling.
Teachers of modeling included Frank G. Jackson
March 1873 - 1877 (Probable)
Jackson was already the Master of Practical Design, and was employed for two evenings a week to teach the Modelling Class. His skills are described as follows: 'The practical knowledge of Mr. Jackson of the mechanical process of Modelling in connection with his power as a draughtsman and knowledge of applied design, induce the Committee to believe that this arrangement will be highly conducive to the best interests of the School' [summary 'Annual Report' 1873]
Sources
Annual General Meeting of the Donnors, Subscribers and Friends of the Society held in the Rooms, New Street, 19 February 1872
19 February 1872
pp. 1-2.
Annual General Meeting, 6 February 1877
6 February 1877
pp. 1-26.
Annual Meeting of the Donnors and Subscribers , held in the Rooms of the Society, New Street, 22 February 1871
22 February 1871
pp. 1-7.
Birmingham Society
of Arts and School of Design. Report for the Year 1873
1874
pp. 1-8.
Birmingham Society of Arts and Government School of Art, in connection with the Department of Science and Art of the Board of Trade, 17 February 1859
17 February 1859
pp. 1-3.
Birmingham Society of Arts and Government School of Art, in connection with the Department of Science and Art of the Board of Trade, 29 January 1856 Birmingham School of Art
29 January 1856
pp. 1-4.
Birmingham Society of Arts and Government School of Art, in connection with the Department of Science and Art of the Board of Trade, 3 February 1857
3 February 1857
p. 1.
Birmingham Society of Arts and Government School of Art, in connection with the Department of Science and Art of the Board of Trade, 4 February 1858
4 February 1858
pp. 1-4.
Birmingham Society of Arts and Government School of Art, in connection with the Department of Science and Art of the Board of Trade, 4 July 1854
4 July 1854
pp. 1-3.
Birmingham Society of Arts and Government School of Art. Report of the Committee of the Birmingham School of Art for the year ending 31 December 1864
5 July 1865
pp. 1-15.
Birmingham Society of Arts and Government School of Art. Report of the Committee of the Government School of Art for the year ending 31 December 1861
February 1862
pp. 1-10.
Birmingham Society of Arts and Government School of Art. Report of the Committee of the Government School of Art for the year ending 31 December 1863
17 May 1864
pp. 1-11.
Birmingham Society of Arts and Government School of Art. Report of the Committee of the Government School of Art for the year ending 31 December 1866
27 February 1867
pp. 1-15.
Birmingham Society of Arts and Government School of Ornamental Art, 13 September 1853 Birmingham School of Art
13 September 1853
pp. 1-3.
Birmingham Society of Arts and Government Society of Art, meeting minutes, April 1853
April 1853
pp. 1-3.
Birmingham Society of Arts and School of Design in connection with The Government School of Design, 21 June 1850 Birmingham School of Art
21 June 1850
pp. 1-2.
Birmingham Society of Arts and School of Design in connection with The Government School of Design, 29 July 1851 Birmingham School of Art
29 July 1851
pp. 1-2.
Birmingham Society of Arts and School of Design in connection with The Government School of Design, 29 June 1852 Birmingham School of Art
29 June 1852
pp. 1-3.
Birmingham Society of Arts and School of Design, Meeting Minutes, June 1950 Birmingham School of Art
June 1850
Birmingham Society of Arts and School of Design. Annual General Meeting, 5 September 1843 Birmingham School of Art
5 September 1843
pp. 1-2.
Birmingham Society of Arts. Meeting of the Committee held at the Societies Rooms on the 6 July 1843 Birmingham School of Art
6 July 1843
pp. 1-5.
Birmingham Society of Arts. Meeting of the Committee held at the Societies Rooms on Tuesday 14 March 1843 Birmingham School of Art
14 March 1843
pp. 1-3.
Birmingham Society of Arts. Meeting of the Committee held at the Society's Rooms on the 18 June 1843 Birmingham School of Art
18 June 1843
pp. 1-2.
Meeting minutes at the monthly meeting of the Committe held in the rooms of the Society, Paradise Street, 23 February 1864 Birmingham School of Art
23 February 1864
pp. 1-3.
Meeting Minutes of the Commitee, 27 April 1876 Birmingham School of Art Minutes
27 April 1876
pp. 1-3.
Meeting Minutes, 25 July 1875 Birmingham School of Art Minutes
25 July 1875
pp. 1-3.
Meeting of the Committee held in the Rooms of the Society, Paradise Street, 27 March 1873 Birmingham Society of Arts and Government School of Art Minutes
27 March 1873
pp. 1-5.
Meeting of the Committee, 18 April 1878 Birmingham School of Art Minutes
18 April 1878
pp. 1-7.
Schools of Design, 1850
15 August 1850
p. 5, p. 13 and pp. 22-25.
Staff Book
1908 (Circa)
pp. 1-141.
Citing this record
'Birmingham Society of Arts and School of Design', 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=msib4_1205839904, accessed 27 Sep 2023]