Established | 1890 |
---|---|
Founder | John Edward Elam |
Parent institution | Faculty of Creative Arts and Industries, University of Auckland |
Head | Fiona Jack [1] |
Location | , New Zealand |
Website | Elam School of Fine Arts |
The Elam School of Fine Arts, founded by John Edward Elam, is part of the Faculty of Creative Arts and Industries at the University of Auckland. It offered the first Bachelor of Fine Arts programme in New Zealand starting in 1967. Students study degrees in fine art, across three buildings, the Mondrian building, Building 431 (or the "Main" fine arts building), and Elam B, which includes the studios for postgraduate and doctoral students on Princes Street, in central Auckland, New Zealand.
The school was founded from a bequest on the death of Dr. John Edward Elam in 1888 of ten thousand pounds. His will stated 'in the selection or admission of pupils those shall be preferred who, from poverty or circumstances, are unable at their own charge to obtain for themselves the advantages furnished by the school.' [2] Edward William Payton was the first director, retiring in 1924 after 35 years. [3] It opened in 1890 and for the first 60 years ran full and part-time instruction in art to both adults and children. [4]
The first premises of the school was in 'rooms located under the bell tower of what is now the Auckland City Art Gallery'. (History - Elam School of Arts) [4]
Archie Fisher was appointed principal in 1924 and was instrumental in the school's inclusion within the University of Auckland in 1950. [5] A fire in 1949, which destroyed the school and library, was the catalyst, as well as the loss of pre-1950 administrative records, that resulted in joining with the University. [6]
The Bachelor of Fine Arts programme was established in 1967 and was the first fine arts bachelor degree in the country. (History - Elam School of Arts) [4]
In 1994 the George Fraser Gallery started to be administered by Elam School of Fine Arts, and it is mainly an exhibition space for their students. The gallery was before managed by the Sargeson Trust, named after Frank Sargeson. It is located in the downstairs premises of a historic stables in Princes St, Auckland. [7]
The Fine Arts Library housed New Zealand's largest collection of specialist monographs, and had an extensive collection of art books, which is believed to be the largest in New Zealand. [8] In 2018 students and staff protested at Auckland University's Fine Arts Library as its proposed closure. [9]
Notable alumni include:
Notable staff include:
The University of Auckland is a public research university based in Auckland, New Zealand. The institution was established in 1883 as a constituent college of the University of New Zealand. Initially located in a repurposed courthouse, the university has grown substantially over the years. As of 2024, it stands as the largest university in New Zealand by enrolment, teaching approximately 43,000 students across three major campuses in central Auckland.
Melvin Norman "Pat" Day was a New Zealand artist and art historian.
George Baloghy is a prominent New Zealand artist. He is a painter, preferring to paint with oil on canvas.
Paul John Beadle was a New Zealand sculptor and medallist.
Maureen Robin Lander is a New Zealand weaver, multimedia installation artist and academic. Lander is of Ngāpuhi and Pākehā descent and is a well-respected and significant artist who since 1986 has exhibited, photographed, written and taught Māori art. She continues to produce and exhibit work as well as attend residencies and symposia both nationally and internationally.
Peter Robinson is a New Zealand artist of Māori descent. He is an associate professor at the Elam School of Fine Arts at the University of Auckland.
Vida Isabella Steinert was a New Zealand painter, born in Hamilton, New Zealand. Also known as Vida Isabella Vickers, Vida Isabella Steinert, or Vida Steinhart.
Suzanne Goldberg (1940–1999) was a New Zealand painter, born in Auckland, New Zealand.
Selina Foote is a visual artist from New Zealand. Pieces by Foote are included in the collections of the Chartwell Trust and Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.
Elizabeth Froomes Christie was a New Zealand painter.
Jean Alice Horsley was a New Zealand artist. Her work is held in the permanent collection of the Auckland City Art Gallery.
Elise Constance Mourant was a New Zealand artist. Works by Mourant are held in the collection of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.
Sina Helen Gibson Woolcott was a New Zealand artist, born in Ba, Fiji.
Carole Marie Shepheard is a New Zealand artist. She specialises in printmaking and her work is held in national and international collections including the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa and the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki.
Mary Margaret Gore Spicer (1908–1984) was a New Zealand artist.
Eve Armstrong is a New Zealand artist. She uses everyday found objects and arranges them into sculptural collages.
Megan Lillian Jenkinson is a New Zealand photographer.
Edward William Payton was a photographer and painter in New Zealand.
Luise Fong is a Malaysian-born New Zealand artist.
Rutland Group or Rutland Arts Group was a New Zealand art association formed by students from the Elam School of Fine Arts in Auckland, New Zealand. The group took its name from the location of the original Elam Art School which was on Rutland Street. It is considered to have existed from 1935 through 1958. Members of the group, which changed over time, exhibited yearly. The shows were often covered by the New Zealand art press.