Liverpool School of Art and Design

Valuing innovation and enterprise since 1825

Liverpool School of Art and Design degree show

In 1825 we opened our doors, becoming the first school of art and design in England outside of London. Since making that first bold move, we’ve continued to push boundaries. Today, our community of artists, designers, illustrators and architects deliver cutting-edge programmes, produce high-impact research and work alongside some of the world’s most iconic cultural leaders.

Our specialities and research

Research is at the forefront of our work

Liverpool School of Art and Design believes in the importance of an actively researching, practising staff and student body. Our research feeds our teaching and is co-ordinated through ART LABS.

Research is central to our School. We are also engaged with the local arts world and have developed rich cultural partnerships with a variety of institutions, including Tate Liverpool, Liverpool Biennial, Bluecoat, RIBA North, Sensor City and FACT. We have also been involved in Liverpool Sound City, Liverpool Designival, TypoLondon Conference, Homotopia, DaDaFest, a creative conference called OFFSET Dublin Design Conference and an independent festival called LIV-BCN.

As well as working locally, our School values our international links. For example, we are involved in the ERASMUS scheme and the Inprint Exchange, which saw staff and students sell their work in Germany. Chinese partnerships have developed via our John Moores Painting Prize in China which is organised by Shanghai University and encourages Chinese artists to submit their contemporary art work into this popular competition. 

Learn more about our research