Students on the Fine Art programmes at West Dean College of Arts and Conservation are hosting their annual Summer Show exhibition online this year. This is the first time they will be presenting their work on a new website, dedicated to the graduating class of 2020, and launched on Monday, July 13, 2020.

West Dean College aims for on-site teaching from September. 

There’s no denying that the past two months have been a life changer for many people whether it be financially and/or professionally. Rising unemployment and recession against a backdrop of wide-scale change and, for many, more time to think about what is truly important, can be the catalyst for a career-change. Those graduating into a flat market may also instead opt to pursue their Masters, preparing for a post-crisis world and side-stepping the immediate struggle to find a job.

In 2019 Clockmaking was classified as an ‘endangered’ craft on the Heritage Craft Association’s Red List of Endangered Crafts. The College is now offering five fully-funded places on a special horology taster course for students aged 16+ years to support the future generation of clockmakers.

West Dean College of Arts and Conservation announced its first three Fellowships at the College's 2019 Graduation Ceremony on Saturday, July 13, 2019. The College's first ever Fellows are Jonathan Ashley-Smith, Rebecca Salter RA and Dawn Ades OBE, who are all active supporters of the College and eminent in their sphere.

Elizabeth Neville MA ACR has been appointed the new Head of School of Conservation at West Dean College of Arts and Conservation. Elizabeth has over thirty years' experience as a book conservator, interspersed with teaching conservation to Graduate and Masters students.

Malcolm Archer F.B.H.I has been appointed the new Subject Leader for Clocks, and Maickel van Bellegem ACR is the new Subject Leader for Metalwork at West Dean College. Each has honed their skills working in the heritage industry and in high profile museums, such as the British Museum, the Rijksmuseum and the V&A. The College attracts students nationally and internationally for its practice-led and interdisciplinary approach to the development of conservation and craft skills, and for its dynamic engagement across these sectors.