Since its foundation in 1889 by Emma Cons, Morley College has always had at the heart of its mission to make education accessible to all. The 'Penny Lectures' at The Old Vic, the first nucleus from which the college originated, covered a range of interests and topics in the scientific, historical, literary, and social fields, alternating with games and various forms of entertainment. 


In addition to hosting great figures in literary history such as Virginia Woolf, who in the early 1900s led her History Study Group, a circle of English literature, the College has also developed various branches in the broad field of the arts, thanks to individuals like the composer Gustav Holst, who is also the subject of one of the drawings in the Collection, and who ensured an excellent reputation to the College in the field of music.
The activities of the College also ranged from the theater, which was able to further develop due to the actions of the philanthropic businessman Samuel Morley, a supporter of the College from the beginning, to dance and performance, always providing quality entertainment for participants.

Creative arts have always characterized Morley College's signature and have further developed through the actions of directors such as Denis Richards (Principal between 1950-1965) and especially Barry Till (1965-1986), who strongly boosted the development of visual arts courses.
The Permanent Collection originates from this long history, gathering the works of students and teachers who have been and still are part of the college's life, telling a visual story of all those people who have lived in the classrooms and walked the corridors of the college.

The list of artists who are part of the Collection is extremely long, and many of them have become established and recognized internationally, such as Maggi Hambling, John Piper , and Jane Joseph. However, the Collection represents not only the people but also the variety of disciplines currently taught at Morley College. The variety of materials and techniques, ranging from sculpture and painting to ceramics, textiles, printing, and even the most modern techniques of digital art, characterizes the Collection the most, making it peculiar and unique.



To this day, the ceramics, sculpture, and painting courses allow different kinds of students to learn and further develop their art every day, while also being part of a community that firmly believes in inclusivity and the accessibility of education and creativity, which is an essential means of opening up to the world. For this reason, another peculiarity of the Collection is to be ongoing, continuously welcoming more donated or purchased artworks, aiming to reflect the multifaceted souls that animate the college's spaces day by day.