Art and Design Archive

BCU holds a large archive of material from the Birmingham School of Art, ranging from the late nineteenth century to the 1980s. Works on paper include a series of historical studies that display a strong Pre-Raphaelite influence in the dress and design depicted, plus costume designs from the 1930s, black and white photographs of theatrical costumes from the same period, fashion designs from the 1960s, and examples of submissions from students applying for RSA bursaries to study theatre design in the 1970s. These and other relevant materials will be the focus of a workshop where attendees will be invited to explore these historical images.