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UK government supporting the work being done to deal with aftermath of fire which damaged the Mackintosh Building in May this year. 

Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander, today (27 June 2014) announced that the government will provide £5 million pounds to The Glasgow School of Art (GSA) Mackintosh Appeal.

The GSA was founded in 1845 as one of the first government schools of design. It is widely recognised as one of Europe’s foremost university-level institutions for creative education and research in fine art, design and architecture.

The fire, on 23 May, damaged the 1907-1909 section of the internationally significant Mackintosh Building. The building was designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, one of the School’s most distinguished alumni, in the late 19th century. It’s one of Glasgow – and Scotland’s and the UK’s – most iconic and best known buildings and was judged to be best building of the past 175 years in a nationwide poll run by the Royal Institute of British Architects.

On 18 June the GSA formally launched the Mackintosh Appeal, with Brad Pitt and Peter Capaldi amongst its trustees, and aims to raise around £20 million to support the institution in the work that needs to be undertaken following the fire.

Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander, said:

The Glasgow School of Art is one of Glasgow’s great institutions. The response to the fire from people across the world has been phenomenal.

I am delighted to be able to announce that the UK government will be providing £5 million to the Mackintosh Appeal to help the GSA recover and then continue to thrive. It is a beautiful building of international importance so it is right that the UK government should make a contribution to its restoration.

We will work with The Glasgow School of Art to ensure that the funding is provided at the most appropriate time to meet their needs.

Professor Tom Inns, Director of The Glasgow School of Art said:

The UK government’s funding announcement is a huge boost to the GSADevelopment Trust’s Mackintosh Appeal.

We are determined to restore the building to its former glory, as the inspirational home for the GSA’s creative talent and for the delight of visitors from across the UK and the world.

The UK government’s support will help us enormously in our efforts to rebuild, and to ensure we can continue to operate at the highest level internationally, bringing the UK’s creative talent to the world and allowing the world to understand the unique contribution of Mackintosh.

Colin Grassie, Chairman of The GSA Development Trust said:

We are delighted with this significant boost from the UK government, reflecting as it does the recognition of the reach and importance of The Glasgow School of Art.

That enthusiasm has also been seen in countless donations and messages of support that we have received globally since The Mackintosh Appeal began. On behalf of the Trustees, I would like to express our sincere gratitude.