Hereford College of Arts is an art school based in the West Midlands, UK, and is the only specialist college in the region dedicated to the Arts. Description It offers courses in both further and higher education fields, in Art & Design, Music and Performing Arts, to local, national and international students. The College has two campuses; Folly Lane is home to College-level courses and the former Royal National College for the Blind building on College Road is home to University-level courses. The BA (Hons) Artist Blacksmithing Course is the only one of its kind in the UK, and is taught at the largest teaching forge in Europe. Students at HCA exhibit their work regularly, and the College welcomes thousands of visitors every year to its annual Summer Show. Many students are selling their work before they graduate, via commissions, live briefs and their own practises. Music and Performing Arts students stage regular productions based at the College and at external venues. Students attend regular specialist shows and conferences and have good links with external companies to further activities. Courses College Level Courses Diploma in Art & Design, Extended Diploma in Art & Design, Extended Diploma in Music, Extended Diploma in Performing Arts, and the post-18 Foundation Diploma in Art & Design The College offers a variety of University Level Courses, which are validated by The University of Wales Trinity Saint David BA (Hons) Artist Blacksmithing, BA (Hons) Contemporary Design Crafts, BA (Hons) Fine Art, BA (Hons) Graphic & Media Design, BA (Hons) Illustration, BA (Hons) Illustration & Animation BA (Hons) Jewellery Design, BA (Hons) Music, BA (Hons) Photography, BA (Hons) Textile Design, FdA Commercial Photography, FdA Film & Photography The College also offers Postgraduate courses in Fine Art and Contemporary Crafts and Short Courses for evening study and businesses, and Saturday Clubs for schoolchildren. History The college was founded in 1851 and was known as the School of Art before becoming the Herefordshire College of Art & Design. The name changed to incorporate the inclusion of Music and Performing Arts. In 2012, a new Arts Space and main entrance for Folly Lane was unveiled, providing much needed social, café and exhibition space. Designed by Hewitt Studios and constructed by Keir Moss, the contemporary and innovative space was funded entirely from college reserves. Landscaped gardens and outdoor areas are integrated into the design. This highly functional space has already hosted