A provincial school of art and local industry: the Stourbridge School of Art and its relations with the glass industry of the Stourbridge district, 1850-1905

Founded in 1851, the Stourbridge School of Art offered instruction in drawing, art and design to students engaged in industries, especially glass. Using social history methodology and primary sources such as Government reports, local newspapers and school records, this thesis explores the school’s development from 1850 to 1905 and explicates its relationships with the local glass industry. Within the context of political, economic, social and cultural forces, the school contributed to the town’s civic culture and was supported by gentry, clergy and industrialists. The governing Council held public meetings and art exhibitions and dealt with management issues. Working class men attended evening classes. Women from wealthy families attended morning classes. This thesis argues that a fundamental disconnect existed between the school’s purpose (art instruction to train designers) and its instruction (basic drawing and fine art). The school enrolled men employed in glass decorating but few from glass manufacturing. Classes reflected the South Kensington curriculum, and the art masters were unaware of the design needs of industry. Glass manufacturing firms provided modest financial support but did not encourage employees to attend, creating frustration for the Council. In contrast, similar schools in Brierley Hill and Wordsley were well-supported by the glass industry