The School of Applied Art (Edinburgh)
Other names: Board of Manufacturers
Foundation date: 17 October 1892
Dissolution date: June 1906
Active: 1892 - 1906
Function: Art school
Policy: Vocational training for the the industry of applied arts. Classes taught included 'Modelling, Wood-carving, Furniture, Sculpture, metal and plaster work, and 'the necessary woodwork inolved in the construction of such articles as would be craved or decorated, and also light metal work. Also classes in arts handicrafts.'
Founded to supply what the South Kensington system failed to give
Rules: Day and evening school to provide advanced art training 'for the sons of employers in the different crafts who may desire a higher class training that is to be had in the ordinary workshop, and who should be paying students.'
A requirement of the selection of teachers was that candidates be practising in the special crafts they were engaged to teach.
The Curriculum of the School was limited to four years, then extending to five, as that coincided with the usual term of apprenticeship.
'Winter sessions were devoted to the study of architectural forms and their decorative features, historical ornament and modelling, advanced students being led to undertake designs for original work...Summer sessions occupied with the study of colour and figure drawing'
Annual fee for students - £10 per annum.
Awards given include; Masons, Plasterers, Wood Carvers etc. and Modellers.'
History or description: Established by the Edinburgh architect, Sir Robert Rowland Anderson. The School of Applied Arts was regulated on the methods of South Kensington School, and was only nine years in existence before ending due to lack of funds. During this time the school accumulated assets in the form of books, collection of casts, school furniture and records of ancient Scottish Applied Arts.
1n 1894 it was resolved that instruction in Modelling be made compulsory, due to low numbers of voluntary attendance to these classes.
Activities: art classes
Publications: annual reports
Benefits: eligible for awards, free entry to exhibitions, grants and prizes, guaranteed inclusion in exhibitions, participation in all events, prizes, use of library, use of studio
Funding types: bequests, fees
Employees, Students & Members
Numbers: 68
Period End: 47
Locations
Address Royal Institution Building The Mound Edinburgh | View on map
1892 (Circa) - 1902 (Circa)
Held an exhibition at Royal Academy National Galleries The Mound Edinburgh | View on map
31 December 1900 - 14 January 1901
Exhibition of student work. Total number of public attendance was 4172
School located at 3 Hanover Street Edinburgh | View on map
1896 - 1902
Due to lack of available space at the Royal Institution, extra classrooms were secured at this address at an annual rent of about £50.
Workshop located at 3 Hanover Street Edinburgh | View on map
1898 (Circa)
Institutional and Business Connections
Amalgamated with Heriot-Watt College
Amalgamated with Trustees Academy of Arts
1892 - 1902
Managed by The School of the Board of Manufacturers
1892 - 1903
Precursor to The Edinburgh College of Art
1903 (Circa)
'Under the charge of the Board of Manufactures'
Associated People
Gave prize to Douglas Frail
1895
1st Prize for Modelling and Studies. £rd Prize in Figure Class. Awarded £5 for 1st prize.
Members of committee included William Birnie Rhind
1892 - 1903
Students included John Hutchison
1894 (Circa) - 1895
Attended evening modelling class, where he came third top.
Teachers included Robert Burns
1893
Taught decorative painting, colour class inc tapestries.
Teachers of modeling included Robert Innes
1892
1893 minutes p. 8
Sources
Edinburgh College of Art: Research and Archive Services
2 Minute books - 1892 to 1902.
Citing this record
'The School of Applied Art (Edinburgh)', 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=msib6_1214816366, accessed 01 Jun 2023]
