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A New University Centre... And A Homecoming To Corsham Court
This article is 15 months old. It is presented here as part of an historical archive and as such, the information contained within it may no longer be accurate or up to date. Readers are advised to check with the University before acting upon the information contained herein.
The long and illustrious association of world class arts and humanities teaching and practice is to be resumed at the historic Corsham Court in Wiltshire.
Bath Spa University has announced plans to establish a new University Centre in the Court after an absence of more than 20 years. Corsham Court became the home of the Bath Academy of Art (now Bath School of Art and Design and part of the University) when its premises were destroyed during the Second World War. Walter Sickert, who taught in that School was also a mentor to Lord Methuen RA, owner of the Court. From 1946 until 1986 the Academy established an international reputation in the arts and education, during which time a string of renowned artists, academics and intellectuals contributed to its teaching programmes. Their work represented a major contribution to the modernist movement and post war social reconstruction.
The new Bath Spa University Centre will build on these traditions to provide a focus for Higher Education in the wider region. It will include development support for research projects, postgraduate and research studios and study areas for artists and designers undertaking Masters level study and Doctorates, facilities for project work for all undergraduate students, and a conference suite for the use of academic and support departments across the University.
Prof Ron George will be moving from his present post as the Head of the University's Bath School of Art and Design in order to spearhead this new project. In his role as the Head of the Corsham Court Centre, he says "It is particularly gratifying to have the opportunity to restore and now extend the long tradition of higher arts education at Corsham Court. The new Centre will provide a stunning base for Bath Spa University in the region and contribute significantly to its already rich cultural life. Our new facilities will be a resource for the schools, colleges, business and cultural enterprises in the area and provide them with direct access to one of the most successful new universities in the UK. We regard this initiative as an important part of delivering our Mission to be a leading contributor to liberal arts education, and it will be a significant addition to University-level provision in Wiltshire."
Many key figures in British fine art taught at Corsham Court including Kenneth Armitage, Terry Frost, Peter Lanyon, Adrian Heath, Bernard Meadows, and William Scott. Sir Howard Hodgkin said of his time teaching there "… the other teachers shone out and we all wanted students to take art as seriously as possible. Amazingly enough, they listened …". Sir Herbert Read's contribution to the Academy became highly influential in the training of a whole generation of teachers of the arts and humanities many of who became the innovators and leaders of today's education services.
James Methuen Campbell, the current owner of the Corsham Estate says " I am especially happy that artists will continue to draw inspiration from these beautiful surroundings; the setting here is unique "
The Centre will be open from 1 January 2009 and enquiries may be forwarded to the Bath Spa University: Corsham Court Centre: Corsham: Wiltshire: SN13 0BZ
Telephone number: 01249 714293, Email: j.green@bathspa.ac.uk
Press Release Issued 20 November 2008.
