A place to belong, a creative place, a place to do and create amazing things. The York School of Art seeks to inspire the next generation of artists, designers, and creative thinkers to make their mark on the world.
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Welcome to the rejuvenated York School of Art, where a legacy dating back to 1842 meets the aspirations of a new generation of artists.
Founded in 1842 as one of Britain’s first provincial art schools, York School of Art nurtured the budding talents of prominent Victorian artists such as Albert Moore (1841-1895), his brother Henry Moore (1831-1895) and Joseph Alfred Terry.
Initially known as York School of Design and situated in Little Blake Street, it moved to Minster Yard six years later, it was here that the name changed to York School of Art. In 1892, the Art School had outgrown its accommodation in Minster Yard and relocated to Exhibition Square (York Art Gallery). In 1976, York School of Art became part of York College at our former Tadcaster Road site. The merger of York College with York Sixth Form College followed in 1999 before the move to our current Sim Balk Lane premises 17 years ago.
In 2024, it felt like the right time to recognise our historical connection to the York School of Art and the historical importance to the City of York for this much-loved institution. The school has a rich history and legacy, and we are pleased to reconnect York College & University Centre with its past in this respect and emphasise our commitment to art education as an institution.
Our York School of Art courses are already firmly established on campus, with students benefitting from the use of our fully-equipped studios and workshops, expert teaching staff and a gallery in which their work and that of guest artists is regularly displayed.
Did you know? The City of York is one of only 12 UNESCO Creative Cities in the UK and it is unique in being the UK’s first and only UNESCO Creative City of Media Arts.
Our history
The York School of Art has a rich history that dates back to 1842 on Little Blake Street. The School of Art moved many times around the City of York, before finally becoming part of the College at our former Tadcaster Road site in 1976. We are proud to be part of its history and its future.
Explore the history of York School of Art here.
We aim to inspire students to explore, experiment, and evolve as artists. Our supportive community is committed to fostering a culture of collaboration, diversity, and inclusion, where every voice is valued, and every talent is nurtured. Our aim is to unleash the boundless potential within each student, equipping them with the skills, confidence, and passion to shape their future in the arts.
Studying within York School of Art places you at the heart of a strong, vibrant and supportive community. With smaller class sizes and a flexible timetable where possible. You will have ample opportunity to take advantage of increased one-to-one tuition and more time for any other commitments you may have.
Our courses allow you to advance your creative potential and imagination while developing the technical skills required to build a successful career in the creative industries.
Led by practitioners in their field, this dynamic department will guide you through your chosen course to enable you to gain practical skills and learn how to apply tools and techniques in order to produce high-quality work.
Our York School of Art degree courses have been developed in collaboration with employers and students to deliver programmes that meet the needs of both today’s students and the industry’s future.
