ACE collaborates on joint C20 architecture tours

ACE Cultural Tours and the Twentieth Century Society (C20 Society) are offering three joint tours of C20th architecture during 2016. Led by Alan Powers –  author, historian and former Chairman of the Society – they will explore C20th art and architecture in Cornwall, the Cotswolds and East Anglia.

Some of the most original thinkers in the applied arts in the early C20 will be considered during the tour, The Cotswolds: From Arts & Crafts to Modernism (August 16-20) as the group explores lively small museums alongside Arts & Crafts and Modernist houses. The itinerary of 20^th Century Cornwall: Art, Architecture & Design (April 12-16) will reveal how the independent Celtic culture, vibrant light and remote landscape attracted artists and architects alike who left a legacy of spectacular private houses, museums and studios. While 20^th Century Art & Architecture of East Anglia (September 6-10) will stimulate thoughts about the relationship between modernism and regional character in architecture and art during a tour of the artists’ colony of North West Essex and Great Bardfield, the Suffolk coast and the legacy of Benjamin Britten and some of the best post-war council housing alongside the world famous buildings of the University of East Anglia.

This collaboration follows on from ACE’s sponsorship of C20 Society’s spring and autumn lecture series, and reflects a desire to broaden their programme and to build an enthusiasm for modern architecture amongst their travellers. The joint tours will help the C20 Society fulfil its remit of increasing public understanding and appreciation of architecture and design from 1914 onwards, and emphasise the importance and pleasure of seeing real examples first hand.  Without the vigorous casework which is the C20 Society’s core activity, some of the buildings to be visited would not survive today.  ACE sponsorship will contribute to C20 Society campaigns against ongoing and future threats.