Cardiff Metropolitan University has come a long way since opening the doors to the School of Art in the Old Free Library Building in St Mary's Street in 1865. From that modest beginning a colossal academia was formed and the university now has more than 16,000 students studying its degrees, 5,000 of which are studying at centres around the world - from London to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
The Public Libraries Act of 1855 gave as one of it's objectives the establishment of science and art schools, and at a public meeting in 1865, a resolution was passed recommending the provision of such facilities in Cardiff. The Cardiff Free Library Committee asked Mr James Bush to become the head of the School of Art when classes first began in the Old Free Library Building, St Mary's Street, Cardiff. Mr Bush had previously been running art classes in Newport after studying for his art master's certificate. The Cardiff School of Art offered night classes in geometry, machine drawing, building construction, mathematics and art.
Tom Hurry Riches is one of the first known students to attend the Cardiff School of Science and Art. He was born on 24th November 1846 and went on to win prizes in Magnetism and Electricity at the Art School in 1870, before gaining a scholarship to the Royal School of Mines. Riches died in 1911. Take a look at the School of Art and Design page to find out more about the first Art students.
The Technical Instruction Act of 1889 empowered county and borough councils to develop technical education by the establishment of local technical schools and colleges. Cardiff took advantage of this opportunity and the Technical Instruction Committee was appointed. The committee consisted of representatives from University College South Wales and Monmouthshire and classes took place in their buildings on Newport Road and it was from here the title 'Cardiff Technical School' came into use.
In 1894, the University College had bought the old Cardiff Propriety School in Dumfries Place. The Cardiff School of Art and the Cardiff Technical School were both based here as of 1900. The first principal of the University College, Viriamu Jones, was also acting as the Principal of the Technical School.
In 1918, the Cardiff Technical Instruction Committee interviewed for the post of Head of the School of Art, to take over from Mr James Bush, the first Head of School. The Committee shortlisted 5 of 35 candidates for interview with the Education Committee, all from various arts and crafts schools from around the country.
The building had previously been the Crwys Road Board School which closed as a school in 1940. The Catering and Domestic Arts Sections and the Buildings Department of the College were also transferred here in 1947. By 1950/1, bakery courses were also transferred to the Crwys Road site. Now that all the bakery, confectionery and catering sections were under one roof, it eventually became known as the College of Food Technology.
During the Second World War heavy demands were made upon Cardiff Technical College for the training of personnel for the armed Forces as well as courses in science and technology at a higher level. A major contribution to the training of war-time personnel was made by the engineering department which provided courses for engineering cadets, machinists, welders, vehicle mechanics, fitters and turners. The physics department also made a viable contribution training 783 radio mechanics for the Navy.
In an attempt to ease the acute accommodation problem at the time, the Arts Department was moved to St John's School, a disused elementary school building situated in the Friary.
The College was housed in a converted military camp, the buildings previously housed the Cardiff Emergency Training College. Courses were offered in Education and Sport and there were a total of 44 students and 5 academic staff. The college continued to operate here until 1974, although new buildings were provided at the Cyncoed Campus from 1962. Picture: The Training College Rugby Football Club 1950-51.
In 1952, workmen first broke ground on the Llandaff Campus.
