All Architecture

Eighteenth-Century House and Garden [Autumn]

Inspired by their Grand Tours of Italy and increasing connoisseurship during the eighteenth century, the Georgian rich tried to emulate and even surpass the best of the classical world. This fashion is illustrated by the plethora of new country houses and estates that were built or re-modelled in the classical style during the Georgian period. This course sets out to enlighten you about the elegant and sumptuous lifestyles of the wealthy Georgian aristocrats.

Each week particular eighteenth-century country house estates will be studied in detail; from these you will gain an understanding of how and why these estates were built, altered, lived in and cared for. Alongside this, you will be introduced to the philosophies, literature and art of the day, all of which combine to create what is known as the Age of Enlightenment.

Visits and town walks will help you discover the delights of elegant living in Georgian England. The study trip takes us to the world-renowned house and garden of Stourhead in Wiltshire and the garden of Prior Park, Bath.

Subject areas: Art, Architecture, Architectural History and History.
Check with your home institution for specific information on fulfilment of major/course requirements.

Printmaking [Autumn & Spring]

The course is designed to introduce students with little or no previous experience of printmaking to the craft of etching. Based in the workshop of the Bath Artist Printmakers, students will learn the techniques of 'hard ground', 'soft ground' and 'aquatint' and will be encouraged to develop their own creativity in this rich and expressive medium. The history of the etching process can be traced to the fifteenth century when European craftsmen, goldsmiths and armourers engraved on metal. Although there have been some exciting technological developments, Rembrandt is still the undisputed master. The study of the history of printmaking is incorporated into the course and the students will have the opportunity to focus on particular artists. Students will be taught by a professional artist / printmaker who will supervise the studio sessions.

Subject areas: Art, Architecture, Architectural History and History.
Check with your home institution for specific information on fulfilment of major/course requirements.

The Triumph of Georgian Bath [Spring]

In less than seventy years, during the eighteenth century, Bath grew from a medieval city of narrow streets into one of the most beautiful cities in the world, marked now by its status as a World Heritage Site. Primarily three men achieved this triumph of architecture, culture and entertainment. Firstly, Richard ‘Beau’ Nash, who became Master of Ceremonies and organized the social life of the city into a state of unified elegance previously unknown outside London. Secondly, the young architect, John Wood, who dreamed of building a magnificent new Rome; and the entrepreneur Ralph Allen. Almost everyone of consequence came to visit for ‘the season’ including royalty, Alexander Pope, David Garrick, Dr. Johnson and Fanny Burney.

Bath’s hey-day was over almost as quickly as it had begun and visitors such as Jane Austen and Admiral Lord Nelson found the expanded city more sedate but, more importantly, a much less exclusive resort.

This architectural, art and social history course includes illustrated lectures, visits, walks and presentations. We will examine why Bath’s popularity faded and how post-war politics had such a detrimental effect on the unique heritage of Bath in the twentieth century.

Subject areas: Art, Architecture, Architectural History and History.
Check with your home institution for specific information on fulfilment of major/course requirements.

Outrageous Art [Autumn & Spring]

Throughout history, British artists have pushed acceptable boundaries, created outlandish work. Yet few modern art critics think of British art as shocking and confrontational. By focusing on the most compelling and outrageous art, artists and critics from 300 years of British art history, this course will seek to challenge such conventional misperceptions.

We will consider, for example, why John Constable was once considered a blasphemous amateur; and why JMW Turner’s work was seen as extravagant and gratuitous. We will find out what was so scandalous about the red initials PRB with which Dante Gabriel Rossetti signed his paintings; examine the
disastrous libel trial between John Ruskin and JM Whistler; and look at how Richard Hamilton’s ‘pop’ art altered the course of art education forever. Finally, we will consider the modern day ‘bad boy’ Damien Hirst. Does true art have to be in opposition to the taste of its historical period? Why does confrontational art become acceptable through time?

The course will be taught through lectures, readings, classroom presentations and film and will include a visit to the Tate Modern in London.

Subject areas: Art, Art History.
Check with your home institution for specific information on fulfilment of major/course requirements.

The American Museum (internship) [Autumn & Spring]

The American Museum in Britain offers a unique opportunity to study how North American decorative arts and history are viewed from a British perspective. The museum collections are displayed in a series of period rooms from seventeenth-century Massachusetts to New Orleans on the eve of the Civil War. The museum also has a renowned collection of quilts, North American Indian displays, Folk Art, and a prestigious map collection. The placement is likely to be based with the curatorial and education departments and would be of particular interest to students of history, but also of museum studies, education, or art and design.

For general information on ASE Internships, please visit The Internship Programme.

Subject areas: Museum Studies, History, Art History.
Check with your home institution for specific information on fulfilment of major/course requirements.

Watson, Bertram and Fell, Architects (internship) [Autumn & Spring]

Architecture Intern at the office This internship is open to Architectural Studies majors and offers them the opportunity to work in some of Bath's most prestigious architects' design studios, guided by an architect within each practice. Here students will learn about the issues of restoration, planning and development as they relate to Bath in its unique position as a World Heritage City and home to some of the finest eighteenth-century architecture and Roman remains in England. Students will complete a final project which may consist of both written and design components. For general information on ASE Internships, please visit The Internship Programme.

Subject areas: Architectural Studies, Art and Business
Check with your home institution for specific information on fulfilment of major/course requirements.

Black Swan Arts Centre (internship) [Autumn & Spring]

Black Swan Arts Centre is a dynamic venue for contemporary arts and crafts, situated in Frome, a small country town approximately 15 miles from Bath. High quality, innovative work is exhibited in two galleries. An extensive education programme includes talks, workshops and residencies linked to exhibitions. The Arts centre also has three craft studios, a café and a craft shop stocking a wide range of original work, including ceramics, jewellery, textiles, wood and metalwork. The internship provides the opportunity to engage with many aspects of work within the centre, including administration and publicity.

For general information on ASE Internships, please visit The Internship Programme.

Subject areas: Art, Business.
Check with your home institution for specific information on fulfilment of major/course requirements.

City of Bath College - Creative Arts Department (internship) [Autumn & Spring]

Two placements are available for students with an interest in Fine Art and Gallery Management. The Fine Art Department delivers a full complement of courses in painting, drawing, sculpture and printmaking, including vocational courses leading to Higher Education at degree level. The first placement is offered to a student interested in learning about teaching Art and Design, and offers the opportunity to get involved in the practical aspects of supporting Fine Art courses in studio and workshop environments. The Hot Bath Gallery runs a broad programme of international and local exhibitions across the Arts, Media and Education. This internship is open to an enthusiastic applicant wishing to gain experience in all aspects of gallery management and administration. .

For general information on ASE Internships, please visit The Internship Programme.

Subject areas: Art, Business, Education (Fine Art Department) and Museum Studies (Hot Bath Gallery)
Check with your home institution for specific information on fulfilment of major/course requirements.

The Holburne Museum of Art (internship) [Autumn & Spring]

Bath’s museum of decorative arts and crafts offers a placement working alongside museum staff on a variety of projects. Typically, there will be extensive opportunities for the intern to liaise with local schools and colleges through the museum’s Education department, and to help produce the museum's promotional materials, as well as additional work assisting in the setting up of special exhibitions or the maintenance of the permanent one. A readiness to work with school age children, good interpersonal skills and confidence with written language are therefore all pre-requisites for the successful candidate.

For general information on ASE Internships, please visit The Internship Programme.

Subject areas: History, Art, Education and Business
Check with your home institution for specific information on fulfilment of major/course requirements.