Summary
The Glasgow School of Art (GSA), established in 1845, is internationally recognised as one of Europe’s top university-level institutions in the visual creative disciplines. Based in the heart of Glasgow, the studio-based teaching and world-leading research spans art, design, architecture, innovation and technology, making a significant difference to contemporary society.
History
Founded as the Glasgow Government School of Design in 1845, GSA aimed to promote good design in the manufacturing industries of Glasgow. In 1853, it was renamed the Glasgow School of Art. Initially located at 12 Ingram Street, the school moved to the McLellan Galleries on Sauchiehall Street in 1869. In 1897, construction began on a new building on Renfrew Street, funded by a £10,000 donation from the Bellahouston Trust. Designed by architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh, the building became an iconic example of the Art Nouveau style. The first half was completed in 1899, with the second half finished in 1909.
Throughout the 20th century, GSA expanded its offerings, incorporating fine art, architecture, and design into its curriculum. The institution played a pivotal role in the development of the Glasgow School, a collective of artists and designers who significantly influenced Scottish art in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Notable members included James Guthrie, Joseph Crawhall, and E. A. Walton, who were associated with the Glasgow Boys movement. Later, “The Four,” consisting of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Margaret MacDonald, Frances MacDonald, and Herbert MacNair, contributed to the Art Nouveau movement.
In 2009, GSA launched an international architectural competition to develop a Campus Masterplan, resulting in the selection of Steven Holl Architects in collaboration with JM Architects. This initiative aimed to modernise the campus while preserving its historical significance. The Mackintosh Building, central to the campus, suffered significant damage in two fires—one in 2014 and another in 2018. The 2014 fire destroyed the renowned Mackintosh Library, while the 2018 fire caused extensive damage to the building’s structure. Restoration efforts are ongoing, with plans to rebuild the building in accordance with Mackintosh’s original design.
Despite these challenges, GSA has continued to thrive, expanding its reach with a Highlands and Islands campus in Forres and a representative office in China. The institution maintains partnerships with over 75 leading art, design, and architecture schools worldwide, facilitating exchange programmes and collaborative projects. GSA’s commitment to studio-based learning fosters an environment of interdisciplinary collaboration, critical enquiry, and innovation. This approach has contributed to its reputation as a leading centre for creative education and research. With a global network of over 20,000 alumni across 95 countries, GSA continues to influence the creative industries, with graduates making significant contributions in architecture, design, and fine art.
Vision
The Glasgow School of Art was founded with the vision of promoting good design to support Glasgow’s manufacturing industries. Over the years, this vision has evolved to encompass a broader commitment to creative education and research. Central to GSA’s vision is the belief in the transformative power of creativity. The institution seeks to cultivate an environment where students can engage in critical thinking, experimentation, and interdisciplinary collaboration. GSA’s vision also includes a strong commitment to international engagement. Through partnerships, exchange programmes, and global research initiatives, the institution aims to foster a diverse and inclusive community of artists, designers, and researchers.
Top Courses
All GSA degree programmes are validated by the University of Glasgow. Established in 1451, the University of Glasgow is a member of the prestigious Russell Group of leading UK research universities and a founder member of Universitas 21, an international grouping of universities dedicated to setting worldwide standards for higher education.
BA (Hons) Fashion Design nurtures a dynamic, inclusive, and supportive learning environment that centres on preparing students for the future, whether they want to pursue careers in industry, with community groups, set up their own practices and businesses, or continue their educational journeys. The programme seeks to create assured and specialist fashion design graduates with individual identities. Students gain a working knowledge of core industry skills: research methods, analysis, translation, drawing and colour, technical investigation, form and material exploration, knitwear, pattern cutting, construction and visualisation. Studio and workshop learning promotes innovation through making, including heritage and contemporary techniques, digital skills and design processes. Sustainable and responsible design continues to evolve and inform practices and outcomes.
Fine Art Photography was the first of its kind in Europe to award a degree in Fine Art Photography. The programme is unusual within photographic education as it offers the opportunity to study photography as a specialist medium specifically within the context of contemporary fine art practice. It is a studio-based programme that places a strong emphasis on making, and encourages diverse and expansive approaches to the creation of photographic art, including the moving image. Given the prevalence of photography in our culture, the programme aims to offer a critical platform from which fundamental questions about the nature of the photograph can be proposed and discussed.
BA (Hons) Fashion Narrative at the GSA is a 3 year programme (direct entry to year 2) aimed at students who are fascinated by fashion concepts and aesthetics, taking a fresh approach to the way that fashion stories are told through text, image and display. Uniquely, it aims to position its graduates in roles that exist at the intersection of art and fashion, working towards futures that add value to the experience of enjoying fashion in culturally diverse and materially enriched ways. Students are encouraged to explore fashion’s relationship with craft traditions, contemporary art, performance, music, film and scenography as well as with societal and environmental concerns.
The Silversmithing and Jewellery programme aims to provide a broad, balanced programme covering aspects of body adornment and fine metalworking from the development of original design concepts through to the finely crafted finished work. The programme embraces as broad an approach to silversmithing and jewellery as possible, from designing for the mainstream jewellery or silverware industries to the pursuit of personal works intended for gallery exposure. A strong emphasis is placed on the development of individual craft and design skills that increasingly allow each student the freedom to pursue and realise ideas in appropriate media.
Key Team
Professor Penny Macbeth – Director and Head of the School of Design
Sarah Smith – Head of Research
Craig Whittet – Head of Department
Alastair Macdonald – Emeritus Professor
Duncan Chappell – Librarian & Collections Manager
James Robertson – Lecturer
Job Integration Services
The Glasgow School of Art provides comprehensive career services to support students and graduates in their professional development. These services include career counselling, portfolio reviews, and assistance with job placements. GSA’s Creative Network connects alumni with current students, fostering mentorship opportunities and industry collaborations. Additionally, GSA maintains partnerships with over 75 leading art, design, and architecture schools worldwide, offering exchange programmes and collaborative projects that enhance employability and global exposure for its students.
References
- “Where do HE students study?”. Higher Education Statistics Agency. Students by HE provider
- “‘Heartbreaking’: fire guts Glasgow School of Art for the second time”. The Guardian.
- Bellahouston Trustees mackintosh-architecture.gla.ac.uk
- “Steven Holl Architects”. Stevenholl.com.
- “jmarchitects; Seona Reid Building, Glasgow School of Art”. jmarchitects.net.
- “World’s Best Architecture Schools and Universities – Top 10 List”. Graduatearchitecture.com.
- “Glasgow School of Art”. Fulbright Partners.
- “Governors”. www.gsa.ac.uk.
- “The Glasgow School of Art Board of Governors – Statement of Corporate Governance 2020/2021” (PDF).
- “Glasgow School of Art: Fire crews battle to save building”. BBC News.
- “Glasgow School of Art fire brought under control”. The Guardian.
- “Firefighters battle major blaze at Mackintosh Glasgow School of Ar”. STV News.
- “Glasgow School of Art blaze: Report says foam canister caused fire”. BBC News.
- “Glasgow School of Art fire a ‘freak accident'”. The Scotsman: Scotland on Sunday.
- “Restoring a Charles Rennie Mackintosh Architectural Gem From the Ashes”. The New York Times.
- “Glasgow School of Art’s library restoration begins in earnest”. The Guardian.
- “The Mackintosh at the Glasgow School of Art”.
- “Glasgow fire: How the O2 ABC entertained a city for 143 years”. BBC News.
- “Scott Sutherland Aberdeen: School of Architecture – e-architect”. e-architect.
- “Glasgow School of Art may be beyond repair after second fire”. The Guardian.
- “Statement from the GSA 19 June 2018 – Work to assess the condition of the Mackintosh Building underway”. gsa.ac.uk.
- “Fire-ravaged art school ‘will be saved'”. BBC News.
- “Glasgow School of Art in danger of ‘sudden collapse'”. BBC News.
- “Glasgow School of Art fire safety system ‘was weeks away'”. BBC News.
- Park faces legal action over Mac fire”. Building Design
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