The Sun.
London, England, 1851-11-04 00:00:00

ELEMENTARY DRA WING AND

MODELLING SCHOOLS.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

511,—1 am instructed by the Council of the So-
ciety of Arts to forward you the inclosed notices lately
issued by them on the subject of the education of the
lower classes in drawing and modelling. The increas-
mg anxiety shown by the public for the success of the
Important movement of which this forms a part war-
rants my hope that you will take some notice of it in
your journal.

I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
GEORGE GROVE, Sec.
Adelphi, London, Oct. 6, 1851.
" The Council of the Society of Arts have proposed,
for some time past, that the aid and influence of the
society should be directed to promote the establish-
ment of elementary drawing and modelling schools,
chiefly for artisans ; but the preparations for the Great
Exhibition, which absorbed the energies of those who
were most likely to be interested in advancing that
object, induced the council to pause in pressing for-
ward the proposal until the Exhibition should be
drawing to a close. This period has now arrived, and
the council return to the subject.
" The Exhibition has proved that the council did
not overrate the importance of their proposal; and
itself has materially strengthened a growing convic-
tion that one of the most serious disadvantages
under which ornamental British manufactures are
produced, is the want of artistic knowledge and exe-
cutive ability on part of the artisans engaged in pro-
ducing them. Every one competent to judge admits
that the ornamental productions of the French ex-
hibit much more ability, on the part of the French
workman, in drawing, modelling, chasing, &c., than
our own. The council believe that a radical cure
for many imperfections of British manufactures
will be found in a mach more enlarged and liberal
system of art-education than at present exists—an
education which shall make the power of drawing at
least as easy to be acquired as that of writing, and
shall begin at an early period of life. The council
are convinced that there is hardly any handicraft in
winch a workman can be engaged, as a carpenter,
mason, smith, tailor, &c., which would not be greatly
Improved by an ability to perceive the form of objects
correctly, and represent it with precision.
" The Council are strongly impressed with the be-
li▪
ef that our young artisans desire to obtain a know-
ledge of drawing, and they are aware of the difficul-
ti▪
es which at present impede the acquirement of this
knowledge by them.
``. The council do not limit their appreciation of the
advantages of drawing and modelling solely to those
improved facilities in manufacture which they unques-
tionably afford to artisans ; but trust that these useful
arts will be found to occupy the young in pursuits
tending in every way to their improvement, and to
provide them with wholesome sources
.of instruction
and enjoyment.
" Looking to the comparatively slow progress
which has been made in establishing the Government
schools of design, the majority of which have been
oftentimes officially reported to be mere ' drawing
schools.' the council consider that it is not ex-
pedient to wait longer in the hope that Govern-
ment may extend schools of design, but that the
establishment of drawing and modelling schools can
be :nest successfully accomplished by the public
themselves, through their own conviction of the
importance of them. It is the opinion of the
council that the schools of design can never pro-
perty fulfil their original purpose until it is made
a necessary condition of entrance to them, that the
student has already acquired the power of drawing
and modelling. The council consider that one means
of rendering schools of design effective, is to cause
elementary drawing and modelling schools to be ge-
nerally established ; and they will endeavour to show
how they consider that the public may themselves
establjsh, support, and manage these schools.
"The principles on which the schools of design
are supported are, partly by a government grant,
partly by students' fees, and partly voluntary sub-
scriptions. Under this system, most of the schools
of design are in debt, and the progress of them is
rendered doubtful and disheartening. As some time
must elapse before it can reasonably be hoped that
elementary drawing and modelling schools can
be altogether self-supporting, some assistance will be
required temporarily, at least, in the provision of
suitable house accommodation. Having the experience
of the present state of the schools of design before
them, the council venture to advise those localities
which desire to possess the advantage of ele-
mentary schools, not to rely on subscriptions as
any permanent source of income, but rather to ob-
tain power from the legislature of raising a moderate
rate, and to reject the system of convassing for sub-
sees peeseee, or Vero oz.pc.skokiesr.a. nhtailling An ads-
quate endowment. It may be estimated that a very
moderate rate indeed, not exceeding a penny in the
pound on the rental in the majority of instances,
would enable many hundreds of localities
to have the benefit of an elementary school. But as
some time must necessarily elapse before the requisite
powers can be obtained from Parliament to levy a

rate, the council recommend that the school be esta.

blis bed in , the meantime by means of subscriptions
and donations, aided by fees from the students, which,
at the beginning, ought not to exceed a penny for
each time of entering the school to receive a lesson.
" building required for such schools should be
aeledted rather for the suitability of its position than
for any architectural features, or other advantages not
beawing upon its actual use. .Artisans generally hesi-
tate from connecting themselves with, or sending
their children to, institutions in which the accommo-
dation provided appears to be of too elevated a sort,
awarding to their notions. The more unpretending
the arrangements, so that convenience is pro-
perly insured, the better, both for economy and the
real purpose of the schools.
" As soon as a locality shall have signified its de-
sire to establish an elementary drawing and modelling
school, the council will be prepared to afford the co-
operittion of the society upon the following con-
ditiol a a :

" That such schools shall be called by the names
of the localities in which they are established---' The
Drawing and Modelling School in connexion with
the ;Society of Arts.
" 11. That localities, whether represented by cor-
porate, or parochial authorities, or by a committee,
shall engage to provide, keep clean, warm, and light a
suitable room, and fittings for the use of the school;
and also to guarantee a sufficient sum, arising either
fromfrates, subscription?, donations, and students' fees,
for the support of the school.
"11. That each locality shall appoint a committee
of management, which shall include some of the mem-
bers or the Society of Arts (not less than three) re-
siding in the neighbourhood.

That this committee shall adopt the general
rules framed by the society for the government of
their affi;iated schools.
"V. That the committee shall be responsible for
the custody and safe return of the property of the
society which is lent for the use of the school.
"VI. That the committee shall appoint a secretary
and treasurer, who shall keep minutes and accounts ;
and that the committee shall annually make a re-
port to the council of the society of the state and pro-
gress of the school.

"Uponacornpliance with these conditions, the
members of the society engage to render every sup-
port and facility in their power, and to use their in-
fluence to insure the success of the schools established.
They propose_
1. To prepare a concise code of general rules,
which shall form a useful manual of management and
instruction.

"2. To recommend a suitable trained instructor.
"3. To assist in the provision and loan, until the
school is self-supporting, of bul -
sufficient totabl3 drawings, mo-
dels, and examples,
useful exhibition ; and, occasionally, bein
themselves a
of books of
referEnce.
"4. To recommend a rotatkin of visi cr
k s well
qualified to superintend the course of instruction and
the eon-duct of the school.
"6. To give, at their annual distribution, by the
hand of their president, medals and rewards to those
students who have distinguished themselves by ability
and good conduct.
" "Published by order of Council,
" Sept., 1861." " GEORGE GROVE, Sec.
41
SOCIETY 07 ARTS.—SPECIAL PRIZES FOR CO.
1..0
~.0 P ....OYES AND DRAWING INSTRIIMENTII.—The
Council uucil of the Society of Arts, wishing still further
to
prosecute their efforts in
bringing a knowledge of
drawing with* and
feeling
convinced that the present high price of the
necessary materials is
a serious drawback to the
attainment of that
tarera of colours and
end'
give notice to the manufac-
follows : of implements for drawing as

" They will present the society's large medal to the
person who shall produce the box having the greatest
number of the beat colours for general use, and
brushes, which m33r b 3 sold retail to the public for
one shilling. The maker must agree to make not lees
than one thousand of such boxes, and keep the same
on sale.

-----
" The council will be prepared to purchase not
less than one thousand of the successful boxes, pro-
vided they agree in all respects with the specimen
submitted in competition,
" The council furtner offer the society's large
medal for the best and cheapest set of the following

instruments:
with shiftin
" One pair of 6.inch g pen-
cil
"One wooden 4.inch triangle (45°).
'? One ruler with a fidueis! edge, one foot long,
dividedinto inches and tenths, and 'narked with a

settle of chords.
"To be contained in a case.
" They will be prepared to purchase not less than
100 seta of tile euccessful case, provided they agree in