Venue

Birmingham is a vibrant, multi-cultural city, whose diversity is reflected in its culture. The city has a rich heritage in art and design: home of notable innovators, such as John Baskerville, inventor of the Baskerville font, and Matthew Boulton, founder member of the lunar society; centre for the arts and crafts movement, including iconic buildings such as the Birmingham Art School; and associated with the pre-Raphaelite movement, which is well represented in its art gallery. It is home to the Birmingham Royal Ballet and the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, which recently celebrated its centenary..The university has strong links with these cultural organisations, and is involved in much of the cultural life of the city. Within the School of Fashion and Textiles we hold the Birmingham School of Art Dress Archive, recently discovered and bequeathed by Kate Elizabeth Bunce, the Pre-Raphaelite artist.  The collection features garments from Bunce’s own dress collection dating back to 1775.