The Glasgow School of Art is one of Europe's leading university level institutions for the visual creative disciplines.
Its studio based approach to research and teaching brings visual creative disciplines together to explore problems in new ways to finding innovative solutions.
The studio creates the environment for inter-disciplinarity, peer learning, critical enquiry, experimentation and prototyping, helping to address many of the grand challenges confronting society and contemporary business.
Since the School was founded in 1845 as one of the first Government Schools of Design, as a centre of creativity promoting good design for the manufacturing industries, its role has continually evolved and redefined to reflect the needs of the communities of which it is part of part of, embracing in the late 19th century fine art and architecture education and today's digital technology.
Its studio based approach to research and teaching brings visual creative disciplines together to explore problems in new ways to finding innovative solutions.
The studio creates the environment for inter-disciplinarity, peer learning, critical enquiry, experimentation and prototyping, helping to address many of the grand challenges confronting society and contemporary business.
Since the School was founded in 1845 as one of the first Government Schools of Design, as a centre of creativity promoting good design for the manufacturing industries, its role has continually evolved and redefined to reflect the needs of the communities of which it is part of part of, embracing in the late 19th century fine art and architecture education and today's digital technology.
Where is it?
You will find the Glasgow School of Art at 167 Renfield Street, Glasgow, G3 66Q
When was it built?
It was Founded in 1845 as a Government School of Design and has become one of Europe's pre-eminent institutions for the study and advancement of fine art, design and architecture.
The School was originally based at 116 Ingram Street in a building erected around 1805 as commercial premises. The new School was immediately over-subscribed and the accommodation deemed inadequate so additional space was purchased on Montrose Street. Although the School moved to new premises in 1869, the Ingram Street buildings remained until 1982 when they were demolished.
In 1869 the School moved to the buildings on Sauchiehall Street, in a corner of the McLellan Galleries, erected in 1855 to accommodate the city's art collection. A report from the examiner of the Science and Art Department which oversaw art education stated that the rooms were "ill adapted for the purposes of a school of art.....with the aggravation of the grey dull atmosphere prevailing here for half the year the students labour under positive disadvantage".
Despite this, the reputation of The Glasgow School of Art was high. In the league tables of schools administered by the Science and Art Department, in the National Awards, the GSA was third highest in the number of medals and prizes.
In 1869 the School moved to the buildings on Sauchiehall Street, in a corner of the McLellan Galleries, erected in 1855 to accommodate the city's art collection. A report from the examiner of the Science and Art Department which oversaw art education stated that the rooms were "ill adapted for the purposes of a school of art.....with the aggravation of the grey dull atmosphere prevailing here for half the year the students labour under positive disadvantage".
Despite this, the reputation of The Glasgow School of Art was high. In the league tables of schools administered by the Science and Art Department, in the National Awards, the GSA was third highest in the number of medals and prizes.
Who's responsible for its design?
In 1885 a new Director was appointed - Francis H Newbery. Under Newbery's directorship, the School moved in to a new purpose built building on Renfrew Street, designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
The history of the School from this point is inextricably linked Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Mackintosh, architect, designer, artist and alumnus, heralded the birth of a new style in 20th century European architecture with his designs in 1896 for the new art school building which was completed in 1909, funded in the main by private donation.
The major benefactor was the Bellahouston Trust and today the School's relationship with the Trust continues through an annual scholarship for students at the Digital Design Studio.
As one of the oldest art and design institutions in the UK, the GSA is unique in its ability to illustrate the nature and history of art education itself; document trends, styles and fashions both in the practice and in the education of artists, designers and architects and the important role the School played in this.
Today, the School continues to be pioneering with new developments and programmes such as the Digital Design Studio, the Centre for Advanced Textiles, our new taught postgraduate programmes such as Medical Visualisation, Design Innovation and Communication Design; and our plans for its new campus, with the Reid Building completed in 2014, designed by New York based Steven Holl Architects in partnership with JM Architects based in Glasgow.
What's nearby?
With its central location in the heart of Glasgow the School is near the city's major shopping, transport and entertainment venues.
The Glasgow Film Theatre is well worth a visit and is only a short walk from the School at 12 Rose Street, G36RB. From art house cinema to late night cult screenings and classics back on the big screen to independent documentaries, there's something for everyone at the GFT.
Other links?
In May 2014 The School's Mackintosh building suffered a catastrophic fire destroying unique furnishings and interiors.
Vowing to rebuild and restore this unique and much celebrated building the School has launched an appeal to fund this significant work. This has attracted celebrity support from the actor Brad Pitt amongst others, click here for details of the appeal and how to contribute.
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