Save the Textile Conservation Centre

From Nell Hoare MBE FMA FIIC at the Textile Conservation Centre

BACKGROUND
The Textile Conservation Centre (TCC) was founded by Karen Finch OBE in 1975 and from then until 1999 it was based in premises at Hampton Court Palace.

The TCC merged with the University of Southampton in 1998 and in 1999 it relocated to a purpose-designed building on the University’s Winchester School of Art campus. Since that time the TCC has achieved considerable success, with its international reputation rising significantly as a result. The most notable success was the securing of a grant of nearly £1m over 5 years (2002-2007) to establish the AHRC Research Centre for Textile Conservation and Textile Studies. The Centre was identified by the University as one of its 14 ‘centres of special excellence’.

THE DECISION TO CLOSE THE CENTRE
When the TCC joined the University the expectation was that it would become viable as an integral part of Winchester School of Art. However, this did not happen for a variety of reasons. The University decided to review the TCC following a major restructuring of the academic programme at the School of Art, of which the TCC was then part. The School of Art’s restructure resulted in the closure of the its History of Art and Design Division, to which the TCC was linked academically, and as a consequence, the Centre ceased to be part of the School of Art in August 2007.

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