Manchester School of Art Archive
Institutional archive of the Manchester School of Art from 1838 to 1970
Collection overview
This archive records the organisation and work of the Manchester School of Art, from its establishment as the Manchester School of Design in 1838 to its incorporation as part of Manchester Polytechnic in 1970.
The archive records the evolving institutional organisation of the School, the changing curriculum and its relationship with local and national governing bodies, and the changing nature of the student body. It also includes examples of student work in a range of fields and time periods.
Image: Photograph from the series Women at the Manchester School of Art, 1930s
Types of records include:
- School Annual Reports and Calendars
- minutes of meetings of governing bodies
- prospectuses
- student registration cards
- photographic records of students’ work and social activity
- photographic records of School buildings
The archive is not currently available to search online. It can be viewed in person in our Reading Room by making an appointment. If you’d like to bring your students to see some of the archive, enquire about a group visit.
Access the archive
Photography and Copyright
You can photograph our collections for personal study and research only. Just ask for a Photography Permission Form when you visit.
If you’re not able to visit us in person, we may be able to send you a scan or photograph of the item instead.
Contact us if you need an image for use in social media, print or online publication, or commercial purposes.
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