The History of NCAD

The National College of Art & Design occupies a unique position in art & design education in Ireland. It offers the largest range of art & design degrees in the state including postgraduate degrees. No matter where you are you will probably find that a graduate of the National College of Art & Design has contributed to the visual culture, which surrounds you. In the past many of the most important Irish artists, designers and art teachers have studied in the College and it has long been the central and most important art & design educational institution in Ireland.

The College has had many guises over the years, the origins dating from 1746 when Robert West had a private drawing school in George's Lane in Dublin. In its present structure the National College of Art & Design was established in 1971 by Act of An tOireachtas and is now governed by a board (An Bord) appointed by the Minister for Education & Science. Students have two places on that board.

We have been located in Thomas Street since 1980 but it has only been since 1998 that all of the Faculties and Departments of the College have been located on this one campus.

During the academic year 2000/2001 the College completed a Campus Development Plan. While the current financial climate is delaying progress in realising these ambitions, this radical address of the college's infrastructure and development remains a priority. Copies of the Campus Development Plan can be read in the Faculty and Departmental Offices, the Library and in the Students' Union.

In 2008 the College completed the refurbishment of what was the old fire station in Thomas Street. Now renamed Harry Clarke House, this building houses the Faculty of Visual Culture, a number of lecture theatres and the NCAD gallery. The gallery has a programme of exhibitions scheduled each year.

This year will be both exciting and challenging for the College. Our Academic Alliance with UCD comes into effect from 1st September 2011. Beyond becoming the validating body for our degrees, the relationship with UCD offers exciting possibilities for collaboration at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels some of which will be manifest in the coming year. At the same time, the College will continue to face many challenges in the coming year, some from recommendations from the Hunt Report (National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030) and other from the continuing pressures of reduced finance available for Third Level education. Student input to decisions will focus on Department/Faculty Board membership and at Academic and An Bord membership by the Student Union Representatives.