Warrington School of Art

Warrington Mechanics Institute founded in the 1840's had declined for want of funds and working-class support by 1850. However, from it grew Warrington School of Art originally based in the Warrington Museum and Art Gallery from 1857. It aimed to provide education that would allow young artists to find employment in industry. By 1877 the School of Art struggled due to an increase of students in an already tight space allocated to them the museum. The School of Art was to remain in the Museum for another 7 years before moving to a purpose-built art school across the road in 1884. Its most well-known student was the Royal Academician Sir Luke Fildes.