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

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 02 Apr 2023]