Charity donates £500,000 to School of Art campus revamp
GLASGOW School of Art’s £32 million campus revamp fund has received a boost of £500,000 from a leading charity.
The Garfield Weston Foundation, one of the largest charitable foundations in the world, has given the money to the Mackintosh Campus Appeal, which will fund the restoration of the Mackintosh Building, partially destroyed in a fire, and the conversion of the former Stow College Building.
The art school, which faced protests from students last week, bought the Stow College building last year.
The announcement came as Secretary of State for Scotland David Mundell hosted an event for the Mackintosh Campus Project at Dover House in London.
Mr Mundell, speaking at the gathering, declared: “It is a pleasure to host the fundraising event for the Mackintosh Campus, and to support the rebuilding of an iconic institution which has produced so many leading architects, designers and artists.
am delighted to hear that that the Garfield Weston Foundation is the latest organisation to support the Mackintosh Campus Appeal.”
Last week, about 200 students of the GSA protested at the management of the school, saying it cared too much about its “brand” and was acting like a “financial services institution”.
In April, GSA announced major new plans for its campus.
The restored Mackintosh Building will be used as a home for all first year students, and new studio and workshop space will be added to the Stow College site.
The Mackintosh Campus Appeal has raised £18m.
Philippa Charles, director of the Garfield Weston Foundation, said: “The foundation supports organisations and activities that share a commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of the communities in which they work, and that are driven by a desire to achieve excellence.
“The Glasgow School of Art sits at the heart of the Garnethill community and the people of Glasgow hold the Mackintosh Building dear.
“We are delighted to be able to support the Mackintosh Campus Appeal, which will enable the GSA to bring this iconic building back as part of an extended campus and enable the internationally renowned Glasgow School of Art to recover fully from the impact of the fire.”
Guests at the Dover House event included Glasgow MPs, members of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee and alumni.