Final year students whose work was affected by last month’s fire at Glasgow School of Art’s Mackintosh Building will receive financial aid to help them create new works to replace those that were lost.

Students in their last year were badly affected by the fire and a special grant from the Scottish Government, alongside donations to the School, will go towards funding short term living costs, academic supervision and other items such as provision of studio space.

Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning Michael Russell said:

“As well as doing very serious damage to one of Scotland’s most iconic buildings, last month’s fire put the future opportunities available to some of Scotland’s most talented young artists in doubt.

“The Scottish Government has pledged to help the School through this very difficult period and I am very pleased to offer financial aid for their final year students. These are truly exceptional circumstances and no student should have their chance of potentially flourishing career affected by this awful incident.

“I hope our assistance will enable a talented group of students to show resilience and successfully create a new body of work.”

Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop added:

“The Mackintosh Building is truly unique and last month’s fire was a terrible blow for students and staff alike, not to mention our wider arts community.

“We have already shown our commitment to Glasgow School of Art through technical and logistical support in relation to salvage and conservation, as well as up to £5 million match-funding for the fire appeal. And offers of support and studio space from art schools, universities and colleges in Scotland, rest of the UK, Europe and the USA continue to be received, recognising the significant impact on final year students.

“The welfare of students is paramount and this next generation of talent from this historic Scottish institution should not be damaged by what has happened."

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

"Degree Show is the launch pad for students as they start on their professional careers as artists. The impact of the fire on our graduating students this year therefore cannot be underestimated.

“We are grateful to the Scottish Government for their generous support for the Phoenix Bursaries which will help The Glasgow School of Art support these artists in developing their practice and building a new body of work.”