From October 2021 - 2022, the Slade celebrated 150 years of fine art teaching and research with a varied programme of events that reflected on the past, showcased the present, and looked ahead to the future.

From Stanley Spencer and Chila Kumari Burman to Rachel Whiteread and Michael Armitage, Slade School of Fine Art has educated and trained generations of world-renowned artists since 1871.

Celebratory events ranged from a Slade 150 symposium series to exhibitions in the UCL Octagon Gallery and UCL Art Museum. All events will seek to engage in critical conversations around access, inclusion and the future of art education.

About Slade School of Fine Art at UCL
Since its foundation in 1871, following a bequest to UCL from Felix Slade, the School has been a leader in fine art education, fostering innovative, interdisciplinary artistic and art research cultures. Its multiple histories have transformed art education, research, and practice, both in the past and present, nationally and internationally.

It is by reflecting on our multiple histories and learning from how these have informed the present that we can chart our course for the future. We hope that our 150th celebrations will involve the entire Slade community in this milestone year. This is also an opportunity to include the public and the whole arts sector, as well as students past, present and future, in the next chapter of Slade’s story.

Professor Kieren Reed, Slade School of Fine Art