"In October 1982 the school hosted the first National Black Art Convention, now widely recognised as a formative moment in the emergence of the British Black arts movement. Historic England's Midlands regional director, Deborah Williams, said the building "holds a prominent place in the centre of the city, and in the hearts of many locals", adding that its design and social history "meet the high bar for post-war listing"."
"The decision comes following a campaign to save the art school from University of Wolverhampton plans to demolish the building, redevelop the site and move the art school. A petition set up by a former student has reached 6,655 signatures. Wolverhampton School of Art is closely associated with the Blk Art Group, formed in 1979 and originally known as the Pan-Afrikan Connection. Many founding members were students at the polytechnic, including Keith Piper, Marlene Smith and Claudette Johnson, nominated for the Turner Prize in 2024."
The University of Wolverhampton's School of Art, an eight-storey Brutalist building completed in 1969, has been awarded Grade II listed status by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport following Historic England advice. The site hosted the first National Black Art Convention in October 1982, a formative moment for the British Black arts movement, and is closely associated with the Blk Art Group and founding artists Keith Piper, Marlene Smith and Claudette Johnson. The listing follows a campaign and a petition of 6,655 signatures opposing university plans to demolish and redevelop the site. The building's modular pre-cast concrete exoskeleton and social history met criteria for post-war listing.
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