Fine art

Building work complete for Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies

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The School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies received official handover of their new building this month.

The £7.6m year-long project has involved a complete refurbishment of the former School of Geography site, to create a first class, inspirational learning environment for current and future students.

Staff will move into the building on University Road from early August, with the building expected to be fully operational for the start of term.

Paul Cook, Project Manager, University Estates Service commented: 

“This has been a thoroughly rewarding project. We are incredibly pleased with the significant transformation of the original building to what it has become now – which is a modern environment that  will enable the School to become a leading Centre for art, heritage and critical humanities and culture in the UK. Working closely with Abigail Harrison Moore and her team throughout the project has ensured the clients’ needs were catered for from start to finish.”

Abigail Harrison Moore, Head of the School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies said:

“We are delighted with our new building. The sympathetic restoration of this historic building, — linked through its architect, Paul Waterhouse, to the architectural style that formed the beginnings of the University of Leeds one hundred years ago — has enabled the development of a School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies ready for the next one hundred years of excellent teaching and research.

“Our students are excited to be starting or continuing their degrees in the amazing new studio, workshop and teaching spaces. Studying in this impressive space for art and culture at the heart of the campus will enable them to continue to benefit from the unique inter-disciplinary approaches to the subjects that our School is celebrated for nationally and internationally.

“We are very grateful to the teams of builders, architects and engineers who have turned our ideas into reality, and to the Estates team that have made this possible. We thank the Vice Chancellor, University Executive Group and University Council for having the vision to invest in the future of fine art, history of art, cultural studies and museum studies teaching and research. We look forward to welcoming colleagues and visitors to our new building.”

Find out more about the Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies building.