University Collections receive Arts Council accreditation

The University of Reading’s Art Collections and Lettering, Print and Graphic Design Collections have received Full Accreditation from Arts Council England. 

Accreditation is the benchmark for well-run collections, museums and galleries, meaning the University of Reading’s Collections are properly managed and governed to the nationally agreed industry standard. Collections are properly taken care of, shared with visitors and kept safe for future generations. 

The University of Reading Art Collection was formally established in 2015 and includes paintings, drawings, prints, sculpture, and digital art. Spanning from the 16th century up to the present day, the collection contains approximately 1,500 artworks. Many of these are of national and international importance. Much of the collection is on display in buildings around the University of Reading’s Whiteknights, London Road, and Greenlands campuses. 

Dr Hannah Lyons, Curator of University Art Collections, University of Reading, said: “The Art Collection is intimately tied up with both the history of the University and with the town, offering a window into the teaching and appreciation of art during a period of significant change in the 20th century. The highlight is our works on paper collection, amassed as a teaching collection to introduce students to works of art first hand. Building on this ethos, we continue to use the collection for teaching and research today, though now we aim to engage audiences in Reading and beyond."

The Lettering, Printing and Graphic Design Collections in the Department of Typography & Graphic Communication at the University of Reading cover twentieth-century graphic design, typography, and book, printing and publishing history. Since the 1970s, they have underpinned collections-based research, education and public engagement in collaboration with museums, libraries and galleries worldwide. Of particular significance are the collections of C19 and C20 printed ephemera in the renowned Centre for Ephemera Studies, the Otto and Marie Neurath Isotype Collection and Type Design Collection, including Arabic and related scripts, Indian scripts, Greek, Amharic, Hebrew and Thai.

Professor Sue Walker, Director of the Lettering, Printing and Graphic Design Collections, said: “Our truly inspirational collections stimulate student interest, professional design practice, world-leading research, and public engagement. Recognition through Accreditation highlights the cultural value of lettering, printing and graphic design, and we look forward to encouraging people to use and engage with the Collections in interesting, thought-provoking and collaborative ways. Working towards Accreditation provided us with the opportunity to prioritise and plan to ensure continued access and care for these sector-leading collections.”

Learn more about and find out how to visit the University of Reading Art Collections

Learn more about and find out how to visit the Lettering, Printing and Graphic Design Collections

Images: 

The two images at top of article show staff and students examining artworks in the collection and artwork by Peter Paul Rubens, Study for the Head of Marie de' Medici, 1622, black chalk on paper. UAC/10539.

The two images at the bottom of the article show a selection of items from the Type Design Collection and hat box lining made by Betty Bros. of Bristol, 1885. Maurice Rickards Collection of Ephemera.