Hornsey college of art

Please be aware that we are not currently able to offer access to or undertake searches of the Hornsey Archive. Tickner, L. It is a collection of original material produced by the Hornsey College of Art which was established in and formed part of Middlesex Polytechnic in Middlesex County Council took over responsibility for the School from the Swinstead family in The College grew rapidly, expanding into several annexes around north London.

In the students occupied the Crouch Hill building for about six weeks in a protest for student autonomy and a restructuring of art education.

Hornsey surname

The College moved to a purpose-built site at Cat Hill, Barnet in but work on this building was not completed until Scope of the Archive The collection comprises records of the Hornsey College of Art including minute books, account books, prospectuses, Swinstead family material including photographs and a scrapbook, programmes, press-cuttings and examples of student work.

There is a significant amount of material relating to the centenary exhibition of the College in and the Sit-In of The archive contains material dating from to s. Against a backdrop of political demonstrations started in Paris, a group of students decided to hold an all-night protest at the Crouch End building at Hornsey College of Art on 28th May Initially triggered by a disagreement with the college about student union funds, this developed into an organised occupation which lasted six weeks.

Image: David Page.

Why middlesex university

The activist group, including some sympathetic staff members had become increasingly frustrated by what they felt was an authoritarian management. This Association of Members of Hornsey College of Art drew up lists of issues to resolve ranging from the purpose of art education to leaks in the building. The sit-in was highly organised with rotas for the library, cleaning, cooking and the practical day-to-day running of the campus, and also a programme of discussions, meetings and seminars.