The Northern School of Art has been awarded a substantial legacy donation from the estate of the legendary film production designer Sir Ken Adam and his wife Lady Letizia Adam, recognising the School’s BA (Hons) Set Design for Stage and Screen as one of the leading courses of its kind in the UK.

The bequest is a significant sum, well into six figures, with the exact amount currently being finalised. It reflects Sir Ken Adam’s long-standing commitment to supporting the next generation of production designers entering the film and television industry.

The School, which is only one of two undergraduate programmes in the UK to receive the generous donation, will use the funding to create opportunities for students to develop the specialist skills needed for careers in set design, prop making and production design.

Sir Ken Adam was one of the most influential production designers in cinema history. Across a career spanning more than five decades, he created some of the most well-known sets in film, including his work on multiple James Bond films and collaborations with Stanley Kubrick on Dr Strangelove and Barry Lyndon. His visionary approach helped define the visual language of modern cinema.

The Northern School of Art was selected to receive support from the Adam charitable fund following discussions involving Professor Sir Christopher Frayling, who advised trustees.

Sir Christopher has played a major role in ensuring Ken Adam’s contributions are recognised academically and culturally, helping cement his place as one of cinema’s most influential production designers. One of the leading authorities on Ken Adam, his academic work highlights how Ken Adam’s bold, futuristic sets shaped modern film aesthetics. He has written extensively about Ken Adam’s career, including books and essays that analyse Ken Adam’s visual style and influence on cinema.

The donation to the School recognises the strength of the BA (Hons) Set Design for Stage and Screen course, which has been established for over 30 years, and its role in preparing students for careers across the screen industries.

Dr Martin Raby, Principal of The Northern School of Art, said: “This hugely generous donation is a fantastic recognition of the quality of the School’s provision and will enable us to increase opportunities and support for our students. Sir Ken Adam’s work shaped some of the most memorable films ever made, and the recognition of our course as one of the best the country to develop future production designers is incredibly special.

“This support will allow us to help our students to access experiences and projects that might otherwise be out of reach.”

The School is currently working with trustees of the Adam charitable trust to determine how the donation will be used, with plans including bursaries or awards that recognise outstanding student work in production design.

The announcement comes at a time of continued growth in the UK’s screen industries, with increasing demand for highly skilled production designers capable of creating the visual worlds seen across film, television and streaming productions.

Students on the Set Design for Stage and Screen course at The Northern School of Art develop specialist skills in scenic construction, prop making, model making and visual storytelling, preparing them for careers across film, television, theatre and immersive media.

Dr Raby added: “The Adam legacy will help to ensure that future generations of students continue to benefit from opportunities that support their transition from education into the professional screen industries.”

Find out more about The Northern School of Art’s BA (Hons) Set Design for Stage & Screen degree HERE