At Colchester School of Art we are proud to have a history dating from 1885, the year the original Art School was founded. As well as being witness to the many great developments and upheavals of the twentieth century, the Art School has adapted to the increasing pace of change in contemporary art and design practice.

Opening ceremony of the original School of Art in 1885

Today we strive to maintain the integrity of our courses, at the heart of which is a desire to develop concepts, designs and objects that will challenge and inspire. We believe in skill, traditional or otherwise, as a basis for understanding how ideas can exist. We believe that people learn best when they work together, engaging in the process of debate and dialogue, instruction and construction. Our focus is on developing an environment where your imagination and creativity can flourish, in studios and workshops that are equipped to offer you the opportunity to express and realise your ideas and ambitions.