Hornsey College of Art

Hornsey College of Art is a former college centred in Crouch End, London, now part of Middlesex University.

Founded in 1880, it became the Hornsey College of Arts and Crafts in 1955.

The 1968 Sit-In

During 1968, the college was the scene of some intense student protests - students occupied the Crouch End Hill site. Students attending the multi-site college convened to discuss the withdrawal of Student Union funds and resolved to sit-in. During this period students effected a temporary administration of the college. They were supported by sympathetic academic staff and visiting artists. They offered a critique of the education system at the time. [cite book | author=Various | title=The Hornsey Affair | publisher=Penguin Education | year=1969 | ] Some of these documents were presented as part of a project called The Hornsey Project. [ [http://thehornseyproject.omweb.org The Hornsey Project] ] The college was repossessed by local authorities at the beginning of the summer break.

After the protests, Tom Nairn, the writer and academic, was dismissed from the college. Kim Howells, a student and Nick Wright - President of the Students' Union on a sabbatical year, initiated the Sit-In. Kim Howells later became a trade union official and a Minister in Tony Blair's government.

Notable Alumni

* Ray Davies, Musician
* John Napier (designer), Theatre designer
* Martin Aynscomb-Harris (artist), artist
* Martin J. Walker, activist, artist, writer

References