On 22 October, the British School at Rome marked its 125th anniversary with a special celebration at the British Academy in London, bringing together invited alumni, friends, trustees and supporters for an evening dedicated to the institution’s history and its ongoing contribution to research, art and cultural exchange.
The event opened with remarks reflecting on the BSR’s founding in 1901 and its evolution over twelve and a half decades into one of the world’s leading centres for research and creative practice in the arts, humanities and social sciences.
A conversation with BSR alumni
A highlight of the evening was a panel conversation chaired by Charlotte Higgins, BSR Trustee and Chief Culture Writer at The Guardian, in dialogue with three distinguished BSR alumni from different generations: Winston Branch, Artist, Eleanor Jolliffe, Architect and Josephine Crawley Quinn, Historian and Archaeologist
The panel explored each speaker’s personal experience of the BSR and the lasting impact their time at the institution had on their careers, offering guests a candid and often moving insight into how the BSR’s unique environment, combining research, artistic practice and international exchange, continues to shape the lives and work of those who pass through it.
A new installation
The evening also saw the unveiling of a new installation of works on loan by BSR alumni artists, selected by the British Academy’s Fine Arts Committee. The installation offers a glimpse into the breadth of creative talent that has been nurtured at the BSR over the past century and will remain in the building for the coming year.
Looking ahead
As the BSR marks this milestone anniversary, the evening in London was a celebration not only of the institution’s history, but of its future, and an opportunity to thank historic and current funders for their invaluable contributions to the institution’s work.
The BSR will continue to celebrate its 125th anniversary throughout the coming months, with further opportunities to explore the work of its artists, fellows and alumni through a full events programme in Rome running until Christmas 2026.
