RA Collection: People and Organisations
The Royal Female School of Art was a professional institution for the training of women in art and design. It was founded in 1842, as part of the Government School of Design, predecessor of the Royal College of Art.
The Female School of Design was moved out of Somerset House in 1849, which until then accommodated both male and female classes, and remained in separate premises for the rest of its existence, notably in Gower Street from 1852, then Queen Square from 1860. When Henry Cole took over management of the Schools of Design in 1852 he established more advanced and technical classes for women within the senior, central school, which moved to South Kensington in 1858. It obtained the title Royal Female School of Art in 1885.
In 1909 it was transferred to the control of London County Council, initially via the Central School of Art and Design (now part of the University of the Arts London), with which it was merged from 1914.
References can be found to a number of names, including: School of Design for Females, Female School of Design, Gower Street School, Metropolitan School of Art for Females, Royal Female School of Art, Queen Square School of Art, Royal Female School of Art, Government School of Art for Ladies.
The Royal Female School of Art Foundation continues to work to support students accessing art education.