Swindon School of Art

The origins of the School can be traced back to 1843 when educational classes for their employees were started by the Great Western Railway Company. It began life as a Mechanics' Institute providing training to railway and allied workers, and also as a secondary school. It was believed to have had the first lending library certainly in the British Isles if not further afield. The late 19th century saw the development of the School of Art, which was the first purpose-built art school in the south-west of England.