Royal Female School of Art


The Royal Female School of Art was a professional institution for the training of women in fine art. It was founded in 1842, as part of the Government School of Design, predecessor of the Royal College of Art. When that moved from Somerset House to South Kensington in 1858, the female branch was physically split away to a different site, though remaining part of the main institution, until 1909 when it was transferred to the control of London County Council, initially via the Central School of Art and Design, with which it was merged from 1914.
It was known by several names and was housed in Queen Square and Gower Street.

Other names

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.

Notable students and faculty

The Royal Female School of Art Foundation continues to work to support students accessing art education.