Sir John Cass School of Art, Architecture and Design Information

The Sir John Cass School of Art, Architecture and Design, abbreviated as The Cass and nicknamed the Aldgate Bauhaus, is an art school in Aldgate that forms part of London Metropolitan University. It was established in its present form in 2012 from the merger of Sir John Cass Faculty of Art, Media and Design and the Faculty of Architecture and Spatial Design at London Metropolitan University, though it has a history stretching back to the 1800s via its various predecessor institutions. The school takes its name from philanthropist Sir John Cass, who helped establish funding for education in Aldgate and whose statue is displayed in the University. The school is presently based at the Universitys refurbished Aldgate Campus which comprises of three buildings, Goulston Street, Calcutta House and The Calcutta Small Annexe in Aldgate, London.

The school offers courses across a range of subject areas: art (encompassing fine art, photography, English, creative writing, theatre and performance practice), architecture (including spatial planning and urban design) and design, which includes 3D design (fashion, textiles, furniture, product and jewellery), interiors and visual communication. Courses are provided at all levels including short courses, foundation year, undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.

Learning through practice, playing with process and working with clients; students at the School gain real-world experience in both individual and collaborative projects, engaging with professionals, communities and companies. There is a strong emphasis in the teaching studios on socially engaged architecture, art and design applied to both local and global contexts. The many specialist facilities available to students include wood, metal and plastic workshops, darkrooms and digital manufacturing technology. The schools regular exhibitions, including the famous Summer Show, regularly attract large audiences.

A studio or unit is a study group with a particular theme or focus taken by year two and three undergraduate art, architecture and design students and by postgraduate architecture students at The Cass as part of their studies. Studios are led by both academic staff and professional practitioners, sometimes linking to external organisations or project briefs. At the start of each academic year, the leaders of each studio present their studios themes, position and approach to allow students to choose from a wide range of issues, methods of working and types of project. During the year the studios come together for major events such as Celebration Week – when students present work in progress to panels of external critics – and summer exhibitions.

Controversy erupted in late 2015 after Metropolitan University unveiled plans to cut many of the Casss signature programmes while moving the Cass from its traditional Aldgate location (which would be sold) to its Holloway campus; this plan attracted opposition from many of Britains most renowned artists and designers. Senior members of the faculty, such as dean Robert Mull, resigned in protest over the decision and other initiatives, amid protests by students and staff. Despite the opposition, the sale went through in February the next year, though the building continued to be leased out to the university.

In March 2019 London Metropolitan University University formally announced that The Cass would remain in Aldgate. The decision, which was made following a series of discussions with students, staff, industry professionals and the local council, was formally ratified by the University’s Board of Governors and announced to the School by the Universitys Vice-Chancellor Professor Lynn Dobbs

Coordinates: 51°30′55″N 0°04′26″W / 51.5153103°N 0.0739167°W / 51.5153103; -0.0739167

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