We provided core funding for the creation of the Art Academy London by its then Principal, sculptor Tanya Russell, some 25 years ago. The Academy aims to offer something different: ‘the vibrancy and diversity of a contemporary art school combined with the best of an old-school atelier approach’. From its small beginnings in a rundown warehouse near Waterloo station, the Academy now occupies an impressive new Bankside campus, offering courses at all levels from BA to evening and weekend courses, across a range of art forms including sculpture, ceramics, drawing, painting, pottery, printmaking and watercolour. The Academy has trained over 40,000 students and earned itself a reputation as one of the leading independent art schools in the UK.
The founding aim, as articulated by Tanya Russel, was threefold:
The Academy started in a small warehouse near Waterloo Station, initially catering for a handful of students wanting to become professional sculptors. The course was specifically designed for students looking for a more structured and in-depth approach to their training, and aimed to give them the skills and vision to succeed as professional artists. In these early days, Tanya Russell, as Principal, and the course teachers gave all they had just to keep the operation going, for which they received very little financial reward. However, as the demand for the courses increased, the Academy’s income began to rise, it became possible to hire permanent administrative staff, courses were accredited, more sponsorship was received, the range of courses expanded, larger premises were acquired, and, in time, the Academy developed into one of the UK’s leading institutions for education in the arts.
The Academy now offers courses at all levels from BA to evening and weekend courses, across a range of art forms including sculpture, ceramics, drawing, painting, pottery, printmaking and watercolour. The alumni of the Academy have made significant contributions to the art world, exhibiting internationally, receiving awards, and leading innovative project in various creative fields.