Northampton School of Art

In March 1867, a public lecture on Science and Art was held in the Northampton Town Hall. As a direct result of its popularity, evening classes in painting and drawing commenced in October of that year. These classes continued and in 1894 the Northampton and County Technical and Modern School was established which held day, evening and weekend classes. In 1907 the evening class organisation became the Northampton and County Technical and Art School, with the Art School functioning as a standalone entity. A further name change occurred the following year, to Northampton and County Technical School and School of Art. The School of Art continued to grow, working in overcrowded rented accommodation until new purpose-built premises were opened in 1937 next to the Technical College on St George's Avenue. In 1954, the Central College of Further Education was established, to include both the School of Art and the College of Technology. The School of Art appears to have continued to function as a separate college.

In 1972 the School became known as the College of Art and 1975 saw the establishment of a college of higher education being the amalgamation of the Northampton colleges of Education and Technology along with the School of Art. This became known as Nene College of Art and Design.