Putney School of Art set to expand
Putney School of Art and Design will be able to attract up to 1,000 new learners if a planned expansion goes ahead.
The council has put together an £800,000 funding bid to the Learning and Skills Council for a series of improvements to the 19th century building.
The school wants to install a new lift, extend the digital media suite and add a new studio. There would also be a new seminar room which could be used for art history courses as well as offering facilities for film. By adding more space the school would be able to reduce the waiting lists for many of the courses. The project has the backing of the Friends of Putney School of Art who have set a fund-raising target of £60,000. The council will pledge around £160,000. The LSC will decide whether to award funding for the project at the end of April.
If the application is successful building work could start early in 2009. Executive member for environment and leisure Malcolm Grimston said:
Putney School of Art has a superb reputation and attracts learners from all parts of the borough and surrounding areas.
It has gone from strength to strength since the council took it over from South Thames College in 1999. The daytime and evening courses are immensely popular. If we can secure this new investment the school will be able to provide more courses for more learners.
For information on courses at Putney School of Art and Design visit www.wandsworth.gov.uk/psad.