The Camberwell Inner London Education Authority (ILEA) Collection

The Camberwell ILEA Collection is a historic collection first assembled in 1951. It was the result of a collaboration between the Council of Industrial Design and the London County Council. It was later managed by the Inner London Education Authority (ILEA).

The original purpose of the collection was to teach children the principles of ‘good design’ through the study of objects and materials. The project was known as The Circulating Design Scheme.

The Circulating Design Scheme featured an extensive handling collection, accessed through a formal lending programme. Objects were mounted in purpose-built showcases that opened to reveal museum style displays for the classroom. The units were loaned to London secondary schools on a termly basis.

The Scheme ended in the mid-1970s. The collection was later donated to Camberwell College of Arts.

Today the collection comprises c.6000 objects and is partially catalogued and digitised. It contains British and Scandinavian domestic design (c.1950-1975) including glassware, metal and plastics. Significant examples of studio pottery and ceramics by established artists. Mid-century craft and making, including non-European material culture. There is also a small collection of archive material which contextualises the object collections. Containing original documentation relating to the administration of the Scheme, photographs and past exhibition research.

The Camberwell ILEA Collection is stored at Camberwell College of Arts, Peckham Road.

Access is by appointment only. To book an appointment to view the collection, or for further details, please contact Jacqueline Winston-Silk j.winstonsilk@arts.ac.uk. The collection is open to UAL students, researchers and the wider public.

Collection photography © University of the Arts London, objects photographed by Ben Mullins and Julia Parks

Archive photograph ‘Modern Craftwork 2’ © Harold King (Photography) Ltd