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Archives and Special Collections

Composite image of a selection of UAL Archives and Special Collections
Composite image of a selection of UAL Archives and Special Collections
Ballet Russes, Tunic , c.1909-1929, Natalia Goncharova. CSM Museum & Study Collection, Bedside Diffuser , 2015, Abay Zhumagulov. Central Lettering Record, Paper Squeeze , Nicolete Gray. KHSF Archive. Recycled Plastic Fabric 15 , c2013, Katherine Hamnett. LCC Printing Historical Collection, Living, 1990, Denise Hawrysio. Photo taken from the Archives & Special Collections folder. CSM Museum & Study Collection, Teaching Collection

Information about archives and special collections.

Our archives and special collections are incredible resources.

They are here to support your learning, teaching and research.  Spanning the creative arts, they include:

  • artists’ books
  • fashion
  • film, performance and television production
  • illustration, comics and zines
  • photography
  • printing and graphic design
  • sound arts and music

They also represent the work of students, alumni and the development of UAL.

Collections across UAL

  • Orange Picking; Red Vase; Sleeping Woman
    ASCC. UAL Art Collection, 2019. Florence White.

    Archives and Special Collections Centre

    Archives and collections dedicated to graphic artists, filmmakers and designers, including the archives of Stanley Kubrick, Tom Eckersley and Her Noise.

  • Black and white photograph of a hand
    Remember me, 1996. Michael Maziere.

    British Artists' Film and Video Collection  

    British Artists' Film & Video Study Collection is a unique research collection dedicated to the work of UK and international moving image artists.

  • 1969 Diploma in Painting Degree Show Slide - 'M Hain'
    1969 Diploma in Painting Degree Show Slide - 'M Hain'

    Camberwell College of Arts Library

    Focusing on illustration and fine art, including the Walter Crane and Designer Toys collections, and selected artists' books and book arts works.

  • Slide reads 'Made in England. View From This Side.'
    Chelsea College of Art and Design College Archive, 1967 Diploma in Painting Degree Show Slide. Creator unknown.

    Chelsea College of Arts Library

    Chelsea's Special Collections have a strong focus on modern and contemporary art, artists’ books, and multiples. Also the African-Caribbean, Asian & African Art In Britain Archive.

  • Selection of zines from the Special Collections at CSM Library
    Selection of zines from the Special Collections at CSM Library by Roxanne Leaver

    Central Saint Martins Library

    CSM Library's Special Collections include their Visionaire and zine collections, rare books and journals, as well as the fashion degree show collection.

  • 3 rings
    Set of 3 rings, 2002, Beth Gilmour.

    Central Saint Martins Museum and Study Collection

    A rich art and design collection representing those who have taught or studied at Central Saint Martins; 19th century Japanese prints; German film posters; historical college records.

  • Multi-coloured weave
    Barbara Sawyer Archive, Multi-coloured Symbol Weave, n.d., Barbara Sawyer.

    Digital Collections  

    Digital Collections is the gateway to digital objects and collections at UAL, held across the University’s archives, museum and libraries.

  • A woven book.
    LCC Printing Historical Collection, The Woven Book, 2008, Alison Webb. Photo taken from the Archives & Special Collections folder.

    London College of Communication Library

    Spanning the history of the printed book, from 1485 to the present day, as well as the largest institutional zine archive in the country, with over 5000 items.

  • A heeled shoe.
    Cordwainers Shoe Collection, Button shoe sample, c. 1980-5, LCF.

    London College of Fashion Archive

    LCF Archives trace the history of London as a fashion capital, including items related to process and production through to finished garments.

  • Toys from 'Visionaire 50 Artist Toys'.
    Visionaire 50 Artist Toys. Photographer: Eve Flaherty.

    London College of Fashion Library

    Rare and historical books and periodicals, including Visionaires, the Fashion Zine collection and the Katharine Hamnett Sustainable Fabric Archive.

  • Textile samples.
    Selyn Textiles. Photographer: Laura L. Maceiro.

    Materials Library Collections

    Material samples and products from across the Art, Design, Fashion & Textile Industries. Available at Central Saint Martins & London College of Fashion Materials Libraries.

  • Paper-cut image by Ian Tyson, from the book Seconde nature by Paul Eluard
    Paper-cut by Ian Tyson, from the book Seconde nature by Paul Eluard

    Wimbledon College of Arts Library

    Including a large collection of theatre programmes, dating from 1905 to the present day, plus a growing collection of artists' books and the College Archive.

Search our online catalogues

  • Cover of book titled 'Womens Work'
    HN/2/1/1/2/2/129, 'Womens Work', Her Noise Archive.

    Archives catalogue  

    Search our online archives catalogue

  • Book cover 'Thorold Dickinson and the British cinema'
    Thorold Dickinson and the British cinema by Jeffrey Richards. Thorold Dickinson Archive.

    Library Catalogue  

    Search printed material held at the ASCC

  • Grey blue silk fabric with metal fastenings
    BRS.G.05, Jacket, Ballets Russes Collection.

    Museums catalogue  

    Search our museum and object collections catalogue

Archives and Special Collections Policies

The Library Services Archives and Special Collections Development and Management Policy is available below. For further information about this policy, please contact Sarah Mahurter, Manager, University Archives and Special Collections Centre s.mahurter@arts.ac.uk

We have been accredited with Customer Service Excellence.

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