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A School of Design was opened in York in 1842 as a branch of the 'Normal School of Design in London' (later the Science and Art Department). William Etty, the York-based celebrated Royal Academy painter was heavily involved in its creation.

The first premises for the school were in Little Blake Street (the building was later demolished in the 1860s to make way for Duncombe Place). The London School supported the York venture with subscriptions and a grant. The school later moved to Minster Yard in 1848.

The average attendance in 1854 was 131, however in 1865 the numbers had declined, especially amongst artisan pupils, after the removal of the grant from London. In 1890 there were 76 day pupils and 124 evening pupils and the premises were described as unfit for teaching. The school then transferred to the north gallery of the Exhibition Buildings in St Leonard's Place, which had been purchased by the York Corporation in 1891.

The School of Design was then joined with the Art School which had been part of the Technical Institute in Clifford Street in 1905, and it moved to the Exhibition Building in 1905. Their combined pupil roll of 435 students were then administered by the city's Education Department.
Joined with the Art School (which had been part of the Technical Institute in Clifford Street) in 1905 to form York School of Art.

York School of Art was formed in 1905 by the merger of York School of Design and the Art School which had formed part of the Technical Institute in Clifford Street. At the time of the merger the schools had a combined roll of 435 pupils, and the new school operated from the Exhibition Buildings in St Leonard's Place.

Extra accommodation was opened in 1906 and over £2000 was spent on adapting the premises to their new role. Two studios were acquired in Marygate in 1949, at which date there were 594 students; 32 of them studying full time.

The School moved out to the new Technical College on Tadcaster Road in around 1972, and became part of the new York College when it was formed in 1999.
Became part of York College in 1999.