The Scottish Government will commit up to £750,000 to support The Glasgow School of Art’s Phoenix Bursaries, it was announced today 17 June 2014.
The announcement was made by Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, Michael Russell MSP.
Full text of Scottish Government press release below.
Further information on the Phoenix Bursaries
Lesley Booth
0779 941 4474
press@gsa.ac.uk
News Release
Up to £750,000
student aid
student aid
Phoenix Bursary Scheme for students affected by Glasgow School of Art
fire.
fire.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.”
Ends
Contact
Stuart Lewis: 0131 244 2530 / 07796
335881
335881