English: Brisbane School of Arts Building, 1937.

The Brisbane School of Arts building was erected in 1865-66. It was originally known as the Servants Home, providing accomodation for single adult females who had migrated to Queensland and were awaiting employment as domestic servants. The building was designed by H. Edwin Bridges, and comprised a ground floor and two upper galleries. The contractors were Messrs Butler and Forster. In 1873 the property was purchased by the trustees of the North Brisbane School of Arts for £1000. The building was let to tenants for several years before it was converted to a school of arts. In 1877 contractor Blair Cunningham added verandahs and other modifications designed by Richard Gailey. The new School of Arts building was opened on 17 May 1878. In 1884 a hall was added to the rear to meet the needs for technical education classes.

The lending library was another major activity of the School of Arts and in 1908 an extension was built besides the hall to accomodate the growing number of books. Membership of the School of Arts steadily declined during the 1920s and 1930s. To increase revenue shops were built in front of the building in 1937. In 1955 a brick upper storey was added to the shops with connections to the School of Arts building. At this time the verandahs were removed. In 1966 trusteeship of the property was transferred to the Brisbane City Council which continued to operate a public library on the site until 1981. In 1983 the front offices and shops were demolished and restoration of the building began. The building re-opened on 13 February 1985 and is currently let to various community groups. (Information taken from: Queensland Heritage Register, retrieved on 3 December 2004 at <http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/projects/heritage/index.cgi?place=600072&back=1>).