On the evening of 25 June, the British School at Rome marked a milestone: 125 years of art, research, and culture. Guests from across the worlds of academia, art, and heritage gathered at the BSR to celebrate a history that has shaped generations of scholars, artists, architects, and writers, and to look ahead to what comes next.

A New Chapter for the Council of Trustees

The evening’s most significant moment came with the formal passing of the torch at the helm of the BSR’s Council of Trustees. After eight years of dedicated leadership, Mark Getty, KBE, stepped down as Chair, handing the role to Sir Nigel Carrington.

In recognition of his transformative contribution to the BSR’s mission and his sustained commitment to supporting art, culture, and research, Mark Getty was awarded the BSR’s Honorary Fellowship, an honour conferred by HRH Princess Alexandra. Co-founder and Chairman of Getty Images and former Trustee and Chairman of the National Gallery in London, Getty has chaired the BSR’s Council since 2017, guiding the institution through a period that cemented its place as a leading centre for research, creativity, and cultural exchange.

Sir Nigel Carrington now takes up the role. Formerly Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Arts London from 2008 to 2021, and Chair of numerous arts and education charities, he brings a wealth of experience to the position. As he put it, the BSR, the UK’s principal centre for interdisciplinary research based in the EU, plays a vital role in offering British and Commonwealth artists and academics a bridge to the cultural heart of Rome, Italy, and the wider Mediterranean.

Telling the BSR’s Story in Print

The evening also gave guests the chance to explore two dedicated presentations celebrating the School’s history.

Making an Impression: Graphic Identity and Print Culture at the British School at Rome traced 125 years of the BSR’s visual history through posters, publications, and printed materials drawn from the archives, a look at how the institution has represented itself, and been seen, over more than a century.

Alongside it, a presentation on the BSR’s Research Collections showed, in concrete terms, how the generosity of members and donors translates into academic and creative work on the ground, connecting support directly to the research it makes possible.

Looking Ahead: 125 More Years

The celebration also marked the launch of a new way to support the BSR’s work: Rome Friend, a membership designed for anyone living in the capital who loves Rome, art, culture, and research, and who wants to become part of the BSR community. Members gain access to the library and archive, join a lively academic and artistic community, and directly support the research, exhibitions, and free public programming the BSR runs throughout the year.

At a moment when funding for the arts and humanities faces growing pressure, the BSR’s mission, fostering interdisciplinary research and creative exchange that speaks to urgent global questions, from urban sustainability to cultural identity and dialogue, feels more vital than ever.

Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate. From the exhibition to the speeches, from old friendships to new connections, the evening was exactly what the BSR is about.

Here’s to the next 125 years!