The Royal College of Art : its influence on education, art and design 1900-1950.

The Royal College of Art is considered through its teaching of art and design, and its work as a centre for the training of art teachers. The ideas of some of the staff are evaluated with regard to the need for art and design education. The influence of the diplomates of the College on the areas of education, art and design is appraised with a view to assessing the value of the work of the College. The relevance of government bodies to the Royal College of Art is examined in some detail, notably the Board and Ministry of Education, the Board of Trade and the Treasury. The relationship between the Civil Servants and the College Principals, Visitors and College Council are considered. The extent to which the College was prevented from achieving its original aims and objectives is explored. This is appraised together with examples of criticism the College received from government circles and external bodies. How such criticism was adapted for future educational policy at the College is also noted. When the Royal College of Art obtained independence from the Ministry of Education the College established its status as a post-graduate institution and was able to address the requirements of modern design education. The Appendices provide details of the Royal College of Art's chronology of events, statistical information and summarised results of a questionnaire given to ex-students.