Collections

There are approximately 150,000 items held at Birmingham City University Art and Design Archives, spanning 16 collections which cover the fields of art and design education and public art.

They range in size from less than 50 items to over 40,000 and contain paper documents and books as well as artworks, designs, posters, photographs and slides. Thirteen collections have been catalogued to date.

Shot of the School of Art in Margaret Street

Birmingham School of Art Archive

This collection includes books, student records, programmes and photographs that document the history of the School.
School of Art Archive >>

The Iron Man statue in Birmingham City Centre

Public Art Commissions Agency

The Public Arts Commissions Agency (PACA) was formed in 1987 as an educational charity for public art, art projects and research.
Public Art Commissions Agency (PACA) >>

Marion Richardson Collection

Marion Richardson was an influential art teacher and pioneer of the child art movement. Find out more about the collection.
Marion Richardson Collection >>

Larry Cartoon Collection

Larry Parkes was a cartoonist and illustrator, the collection contains cartoons on the subject of art and art galleries.
Larry Cartoon Collection >>

The Craftsman's Club Collection

The Craftsman’s Club was a group founded in 1902 by Robert Catterson-Smith, Headmaster of the School of Art from 1903 to 1920.
The Craftsman's Club Collection >>

Margaret Street Restoration Project

The collection contains documents and colour photographs that document the progress of the restoration of the School of Art in 1994-1995.
Margaret Street Restoration Project >>

Birmingham Billboard Project

This collection documents an art project organised by Graham Fagen, who was a member of staff at the Birmingham Institute of Art and Design.
Birmingham Billboard Project >>

BIAD Margaret Street Centenary Portfolio

Margaret Street Centenary Folio

The collection is made up of 12 unframed original art prints by members of staff of the School of Fine Art.
Margaret Street Centenary Folio >>

Hodgson Art History Collection

This collection contains files and papers produced by Frank Hodgson as a teacher at the Birmingham College of Arts and Crafts.
Hodgson Art History Collection >>

Bowater Family Collection

This collection focuses on the history of the Bowater family and the artistic development of their daughter Gertrude Ann.
Bowater Familly Collection >>

Plaster Casts Collection

This collection consists of plaster casts used for teaching in the Birmingham School of Art during the nineteenth century.
Plaster Casts Collection >>