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The Lawrence Batley Centre, designed by Building Design
Partnership (BDP), was built in 1989 to accommodate the NAEA,
which had been operating since 1985 in the attic of the Mansion
building at Bretton Hall. The Centre provides a unique resource
centre on the College campus for the benefit of students and
researchers alike. The distinctive form of the glass tower gives
the building a presence on the campus.
The Centre was provided by the generous sponsorship of Mr
Lawrence Batley OBE, Chairman of Batley's Plc, together with the
English Tourist Board and other individuals and organisations.
The facilities include a gallery, reading room and a conference
room, all of which are available to students and staff at the
College and the general public.
The building was officially opened in 1991 by the then
Secretary of State for Education, Mr Kenneth Clarke, and it
received a commendation in the 1991 Civic Trust Awards for
contribution to the quality and appearance of the environment.
Wakefield MDC further commended the building in 1991 through its
Design Awards. The Centre is registered with the Museums and
Galleries Commission and receives grants from the Yorkshire and
Humberside Museums Council for conservation and other
environmental developments.
Management of the Centre is undertaken by the National Arts Education Archive
(Trust) through a Board of Trustees and a Committee of Management. The Trust
itself is a registered charity (No. 519437).
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