University News Last updated 21 January 2022
The Grade II-listed Ruskin Hall in Bournville has welcomed students and staff from Royal Birmingham Conservatoire’s Acting courses.
The School of Acting has relocated from its previous home at Millennium Point, taking up residence at the historic 1903 building in the leafy South Birmingham suburb.
Ruskin Hall, previously home to the School of Art, has been fitted out to support a high-quality learning and teaching experience for students and staff including rehearsal spaces, social areas and other facilities.
The first public building in Bournville, the hall was originally designed as a social centre for the village with the aim of providing a school of arts and crafts for the community to further the ideas and principles of John Ruskin. In 1911 it became the School of Arts and Crafts and an art college in the 1920s.
There are plans for Acting courses to also have a teaching space in Digbeth's Creative Quarter within walking distance of Birmingham City University’s City Centre Campus, in addition to the home at Ruskin Hall and Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.
The School’s Production Department and Stage Management course will continue to be based at Unit 3B Heneage Street, near the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.