Discovering Wimbledon’s Past: Exploring Digitised Archives and Special Collections at CCW Libraries

Wimbledon College of Arts Archives holds a seam of rich historical resources that can inform our students, staff and researchers academic and creative practices and it is now more accessible than ever through newly discoverable and digitised material. Even more exciting, is that we continue to find more material to add to this living collection, opening new avenues for research, knowledge exchange and inspiration!

The newly digitised Wimbledon College of Arts Archives open up decades of teaching, making and experimentation. Students can explore historic course documentation, photographs, exhibition records and ephemera that reveal how artistic practice, pedagogy and student culture have evolved over time. These digital collections provide a fascinating window into the creative legacy of Wimbledon College of Arts, and offer inspiration for contemporary practice, research and critical reflection.

Alongside the digitised archives, Wimbledon’s Special Collections include rare and distinctive materials such as artist books, exhibition catalogues, zines, teaching materials and institutional records. These collections support research in fine art, theatre, performance, curating and design, and are frequently used by students working on dissertations, contextual studies and studio projects. Engaging with special collections and archives such as these can spark new ideas, challenge assumptions and connect current work to broader artistic and educational histories.

To make these collections such as these more accessible and valuable, CCW Librarians also run Special Collections drop-in sessions across Chelsea, Camberwell and Wimbledon. These sessions give students the opportunity to handle material, ask questions, and explore how archives and special collections can inform their creative and academic work. Whether you are looking for historical context, visual inspiration or primary sources for research, the drop-ins provide a welcoming way to engage with collections you might not otherwise discover.

By digitising archives and expanding access to special collections, CCW Libraries are helping students connect past and present, research and practice. These resources invite the CCW community to see themselves as part of a longer creative lineage, building on histories while shaping the future of art and design education.