[1] A number of leading Jamaican artists collaborated with Manley to open the first art school in Jamaica, including Albert Huie who became one of the tutors.
[2] 64 paying students enrolled in the first year and due to unexpected interest expanded the school at 11 North Street.
[1] Barrington Watson established a four-year diploma curriculum to the teaching of art when the country gained independence in 1962.
[1][3] After being renamed in 1967 to the Jamaica School of Art, in 1976 the school was incorporated into the Cultural Training Centre and moved to its new facilities at 1 Arthur Wint Drive, expanding its scope to include art, music, dance, and drama governed by the Institute of Jamaica under the Ministry of Culture.
Jamaican music artist and deejay Beenie Man filmed part of the video for his single "Nuff Gal" on the school campus in 1996.