T Dartington College of Arts

DATE: 1962-1990

LEVEL: Series

This series consists of records about the Dartington College of Arts that were primarily collected by the Governors representing the Dartington Hall Trust and more actively involved in the affairs of the College: Peter Sutcliffe, Leonard Elmhirst (until his resignation); Maurice Ash, Christopher Zealley, A O (Pom) Elmhirst, John Lane. It includes reports from the Principal (Peter Cox) and other senior officers. The records document the development of the College through its degree accreditation via the Council for National Academic Awards (CNAA), and its progression to becoming a Local Education Authority assisted institution within the terms of the Further Education Regulations. Correspondence covers the complex issues relating to the changing nature of the College and its relationship with the Trust and Dartington Hall Trustees, and the appointment of Governors. There are records covering the establishing of Honours Degree courses within Music, Theatre and Arts. Also records relating to the Music for Slow Learners project as part of The Arts in the Education of Handicapped Children and Young People. Reference is also made to the College's future in the context of the Government's White Paper: 'Education: a Framework for Expansion' (early 1970s) and in the light of Government public expenditure cuts for higher education (early 1980s). Records include the appointment of the new Principal, Curtis Roosevelt, in 1983.

Dartington College of Arts is the direct descendant of the Dartington Hall Trust Arts Department created in 1934, subsequently re-titled Dartington Hall Arts Centre in 1955, briefly Dartington College and Arts Centre in 1961, and Dartington College of Arts in 1962. The Governing Body of the College involved the Trustees of Dartington Hall Trust and their representatives, representatives of Devon County Education Committee, University of Bristol, University of Exeter and the Chief Education Officer.

It began negotiations with the Council for National Academic Awards (CNAA) for degree status in Music (1974), in Theatre (1976), a DipHE in Art and Design (1976) which became an honours degree in Art in a Social Context (1986). It received assisted status in 1977, this being effective from 1975. In 1989 national funding strategies necessitated that funding of the College be transferred to the PCFC, and on this basis would cease to operate under the Devon County Council 'assisted' status, as a condition of this it was necessary to incorporate the College as an independent charitable company. This was achieved after negotiation with The Dartington Hall Trust, which remained a member with power of appointment. Severe financial difficulties experienced in 1990 were resolved with the help of The Dartington Hall Trust, but a casualty was the closure of the Art in a Social Context degree course.

Peter Cox was Warden of the Arts Centre, becoming Principal in 1962 until his retirement in 1983. He was succeeded by Curtis Roosevelt (1983-1986), and then Peter Hulton. Janet Ritterman was appointed Principal in 1990, followed by Kevin Thompson and then by Andrew Brewerton in 2004.

In 1967 the governors convened the inaugural meeting of the Dartington Arts Society (Limited) to take on the task of administering public performances and cultural events programming. This was to relieve College of Arts administrators of some of the administrative duties and budgetary issues associated with providing a vibrant arts culture at Dartington.

Information for Researchers

All papers belonging to The Dartington Hall Trust Archive (with the exclusion of Dartington Hall School pupils individual records) are held at the Devon Record Office. All enquiries relating to research should be made to Devon Records Office, Great Moor House, Bittern Road, Sowton, Exeter, Devon EX2 7NL
+44 (0)1392 384253
+44 (0)1392 384256
devrec@devon.gov.uk
www.devon.gov.uk/record_office

The following requests should be made direct to the Archives & Records at The Dartington Hall Trust as shown below:
Copies of images as seen on The Dartington Hall Trust online catalogue with appropriate reference number (Ref No.)
Permission to publish or quote from any document held in the Dartington Hall Trust Archive
Former pupils of Dartington Hall School wishing to view their records
Archives & Records
The Dartington Hall Trust
Dartington Hall
Totnes TQ9 6EL
01803 847201
yvonne.widger@dartington.org