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| The Category A Listed Italianate buildings have been restored to create the GSA’s new home in the Highlands and Islands |
The Glasgow School of
Art launched its new Highlands and Islands Creative Campus today, 20 January
2017. Located at Blairs Steading on the Altyre Estate just outside Forres, the
campus is based in a group of Category A-listed Italianate buildings which have
been fully restored into state of the art studios and learning spaces.
Art launched its new Highlands and Islands Creative Campus today, 20 January
2017. Located at Blairs Steading on the Altyre Estate just outside Forres, the
campus is based in a group of Category A-listed Italianate buildings which have
been fully restored into state of the art studios and learning spaces.
The campus launch took
place during one of the highlights of the GSA’s annual calendar – Winter
School, which sees leading international design experts, researchers and
students come together to explore a theme rooted in the local context but with global
resonances. The students and visiting academics were joined at the launch by
local politicians, businesses and community leaders.
place during one of the highlights of the GSA’s annual calendar – Winter
School, which sees leading international design experts, researchers and
students come together to explore a theme rooted in the local context but with global
resonances. The students and visiting academics were joined at the launch by
local politicians, businesses and community leaders.
The facilities
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| The campus has state of the art teaching and learning spaces |
Built in the 1830s and set in 12,000 acres of
beautiful countryside, the Steading had been unused for many years. The three
largest buildings of the Steading have now been transformed into a modern campus,
interconnected spaces including of light and airy, state of the art studios for the research staff and
postgraduate students, teaching areas with high tech, high spec equipment, and
a large, flexible exhibition/project space. With super fast broadband for
interconnectivity, the Highlands and Islands campus is linked both into the
main GSA’s Glasgow and Singapore campuses and with partners across the globe.
beautiful countryside, the Steading had been unused for many years. The three
largest buildings of the Steading have now been transformed into a modern campus,
interconnected spaces including of light and airy, state of the art studios for the research staff and
postgraduate students, teaching areas with high tech, high spec equipment, and
a large, flexible exhibition/project space. With super fast broadband for
interconnectivity, the Highlands and Islands campus is linked both into the
main GSA’s Glasgow and Singapore campuses and with partners across the globe.
On-going work at the campus
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| The launch took place during GSA Winter School where international students worked with local businesses and community groups |
The
GSA’s Highlands and Islands Creative Campus is a research and postgraduate teaching
centre for international excellence in creativity and innovation. It is home
the Institute of Design Innovation (InDI), which is one of The Glasgow School
of Art’s world-leading research centres alongside the Mackintosh Environmental
Research Unit, Urban Lab and the School of Simulation and Visualisation (formerly
the Digital Design Studio).
GSA’s Highlands and Islands Creative Campus is a research and postgraduate teaching
centre for international excellence in creativity and innovation. It is home
the Institute of Design Innovation (InDI), which is one of The Glasgow School
of Art’s world-leading research centres alongside the Mackintosh Environmental
Research Unit, Urban Lab and the School of Simulation and Visualisation (formerly
the Digital Design Studio).
Two
significant research programmes led by InDI are the Experience Labs, GSA’s
contribution to the Digital Health and Care Institute and the Creative Futures
Partnership, a pioneering collaboration between the GSA and Highlands and
Islands Enterprise. For further details of the research projects currently
being undertaken in InDI see Notes for
Editors.
significant research programmes led by InDI are the Experience Labs, GSA’s
contribution to the Digital Health and Care Institute and the Creative Futures
Partnership, a pioneering collaboration between the GSA and Highlands and
Islands Enterprise. For further details of the research projects currently
being undertaken in InDI see Notes for
Editors.
Marking
the launch of the Campus Professor Tom Inns, Director of The Glasgow School of
Art, said: “The
GSA is internationally recognised as one of Europe’s leading university-level
institutions for the creative disciplines. Our new Highlands and Islands Creative
Campus brings the GSA’s world-leading research and teaching to the region.
the launch of the Campus Professor Tom Inns, Director of The Glasgow School of
Art, said: “The
GSA is internationally recognised as one of Europe’s leading university-level
institutions for the creative disciplines. Our new Highlands and Islands Creative
Campus brings the GSA’s world-leading research and teaching to the region.
“These state of the art
premises will enable the GSA to expand and develop its presence in the
Highlands and Islands, building on the work done to date from our former home
at Horizon Scotland.”
premises will enable the GSA to expand and develop its presence in the
Highlands and Islands, building on the work done to date from our former home
at Horizon Scotland.”
Professor
Irene McAra-McWilliam, Deputy Director (Innovation) of the GSA and Director of
the Highlands and Islands Campus added: “It
is a great pleasure to officially open our new campus. The GSA’s Institute of Design Innovation has been based in the
Highlands and Islands for several years and today marks the beginning of a new
era.
Irene McAra-McWilliam, Deputy Director (Innovation) of the GSA and Director of
the Highlands and Islands Campus added: “It
is a great pleasure to officially open our new campus. The GSA’s Institute of Design Innovation has been based in the
Highlands and Islands for several years and today marks the beginning of a new
era.
“Collaboration with businesses and communities is at the heart of how we
work. These wonderful new premises will enable us to build on the work to date
in particular our on-going
partnership with Highlands and Islands Enterprise and our contribution to the
Digital Health & Care Institute.
work. These wonderful new premises will enable us to build on the work to date
in particular our on-going
partnership with Highlands and Islands Enterprise and our contribution to the
Digital Health & Care Institute.
“Through these partnerships InDI
has been helping to address some of the complex issues facing the region, and through
innovation and collaboration we have been able to
contribute to the development of a long-term and sustainable creative future
for the Highlands and Islands.
has been helping to address some of the complex issues facing the region, and through
innovation and collaboration we have been able to
contribute to the development of a long-term and sustainable creative future
for the Highlands and Islands.
“We are looking forward to building
our presence in the Highlands and Islands, increasing our collaborative working
with local partners, and through the GSA’s existing links with leading
organisations and institutions across the world ensuring the region becomes
more internationally connected.”
our presence in the Highlands and Islands, increasing our collaborative working
with local partners, and through the GSA’s existing links with leading
organisations and institutions across the world ensuring the region becomes
more internationally connected.”
The establishment of the campus was made possible
following the £2.5 million renovation of Blairs Steading by Altyre Estate, with
support from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Historic Environment Scotland.
following the £2.5 million renovation of Blairs Steading by Altyre Estate, with
support from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Historic Environment Scotland.
Charlotte Wright, interim chief executive at HIE,
said: “The universities sector is playing
a vital and growing role in creating high quality education, research and
career opportunities across the Highlands and Islands, particularly for young
people. Today’s opening is a significant step for The Glasgow School of
Art, for Blairs Steading and for the region. These remarkable buildings form an
ideal permanent location for the GSA’s growing presence in the north, where it
is working in partnership with HIE to bring its internationally recognised expertise
to the Highlands and Islands. As a productive world class research and teaching
facility, the new creative campus will attract increasing numbers of students
and deliver a range of social and economic benefits to the region”.
said: “The universities sector is playing
a vital and growing role in creating high quality education, research and
career opportunities across the Highlands and Islands, particularly for young
people. Today’s opening is a significant step for The Glasgow School of
Art, for Blairs Steading and for the region. These remarkable buildings form an
ideal permanent location for the GSA’s growing presence in the north, where it
is working in partnership with HIE to bring its internationally recognised expertise
to the Highlands and Islands. As a productive world class research and teaching
facility, the new creative campus will attract increasing numbers of students
and deliver a range of social and economic benefits to the region”.
For further information on:
The Glasgow School of Art visit www.gsa.ac.uk
The GSA’s Institute of Design Innovation visit: www.gsa.ac.uk/indi
The GSA’s Winter School: www.gsa.ac.uk/winterschool
Ends
For further information, images and interviews contact:
Lesley Booth
0779 941 4474
Notes for Editors
The £2.5m restoration
of Blairs Steading and its conversion into an academic campus was made possible
by support from Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Historic Environment
Scotland. The restoration/conversion architects were Harry Taylor and building work
was undertaken by Elgin-based Darroch & Allan.
of Blairs Steading and its conversion into an academic campus was made possible
by support from Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Historic Environment
Scotland. The restoration/conversion architects were Harry Taylor and building work
was undertaken by Elgin-based Darroch & Allan.
Postgraduate taught and research-based
programmes based at the Highlands and Islands Creative Campus
programmes based at the Highlands and Islands Creative Campus
The GSA delivers three Masters of Design Innovation
programmes:
programmes:
Design Innovation and Collaborative Creativity
Design Innovation and Interaction Design
Design Innovation and Transformation Design
These new programmes complement existing Design
Innovation programmes at the GSA’s main campus in Glasgow.
Innovation programmes at the GSA’s main campus in Glasgow.
InDI’s Postgraduate Research portfolio comprises of
Masters of Research Programmes and PhD Programmes which are offered across both
The Glasgow School of Art campuses in Glasgow and Highlands and Islands.
Masters of Research Programmes and PhD Programmes which are offered across both
The Glasgow School of Art campuses in Glasgow and Highlands and Islands.
More information on the full range of taught masters
and research degrees is available at:
and research degrees is available at:
http://www.gsa.ac.uk/study/ graduate-degrees/
The GSA’s contribution to
the Digital Health & Care Institute (DHI).
the Digital Health & Care Institute (DHI).
The GSA is a founder partner in the Digital Health &
Care Institute. A central element in its contribution to the DHI is the
Experience Labs, which were developed by InDI. The DHI team is based on the
campus, but delivers Experience Labs across Scotland.
Care Institute. A central element in its contribution to the DHI is the
Experience Labs, which were developed by InDI. The DHI team is based on the
campus, but delivers Experience Labs across Scotland.
Experience Labs offer a special creative environment
where researchers, service users, businesses and more can work together to find
innovative solutions to the health and care challenges facing Scottish society.
where researchers, service users, businesses and more can work together to find
innovative solutions to the health and care challenges facing Scottish society.
Researchers use current and emerging design research
methods to work with partners and participants, who are encouraged to share
their own experiences. Real-life practice is often replicated so as to allow
new technology, services, processes and more to be trialled rapidly. The
resulting ideas become candidates for further research and development.
methods to work with partners and participants, who are encouraged to share
their own experiences. Real-life practice is often replicated so as to allow
new technology, services, processes and more to be trialled rapidly. The
resulting ideas become candidates for further research and development.
Experience
Labs have been held across the Highlands and Islands, Moray, Skye, Caithness, Inverness, and in the central belt.
Labs have been held across the Highlands and Islands, Moray, Skye, Caithness, Inverness, and in the central belt.
Current GSA research projects for the DHI include:
Working with Moray UHI and NHS Grampian this project aims to
increase breastfeeding rates within Scotland.
increase breastfeeding rates within Scotland.
Working with
BW & FM
Sherret Ltd and UHI on the development of a flexible and
creative product that makes music therapy accessible to all, regardless of
musical ability and does not necessitate arduous training programmes.
Specifically aimed at assisting carers/ helpers/ family/ musicians to interact
and communicate with individuals and groups who have complex challenges,
disabilities the resource would be available to a wider public.
BW & FM
Sherret Ltd and UHI on the development of a flexible and
creative product that makes music therapy accessible to all, regardless of
musical ability and does not necessitate arduous training programmes.
Specifically aimed at assisting carers/ helpers/ family/ musicians to interact
and communicate with individuals and groups who have complex challenges,
disabilities the resource would be available to a wider public.
Working with the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service as part
of the Transforming the Donor Experience initiative on a project to look at how
the challenges of a somewhat inflexible and poorly accessible service can be
addressed.
of the Transforming the Donor Experience initiative on a project to look at how
the challenges of a somewhat inflexible and poorly accessible service can be
addressed.
Working with UHI and NHS Highland on a project
to improve interactions between clinician and patient.
to improve interactions between clinician and patient.
Working with
UHI and Moray Council to develop a digital tool to provide real time continuous
feedback on accessibility or lack of for town planners/councils. Aimed
particularly at supporting the disabled and people using pushchairs to have
increased access to the public domain.
UHI and Moray Council to develop a digital tool to provide real time continuous
feedback on accessibility or lack of for town planners/councils. Aimed
particularly at supporting the disabled and people using pushchairs to have
increased access to the public domain.
Working with
the University of Stirling, University
of Dundee, UHI, Edinburgh Napier, on the Digital Diabetes Programme.
the University of Stirling, University
of Dundee, UHI, Edinburgh Napier, on the Digital Diabetes Programme.
Partnering
with Active X Backs (SME) and
the University of Edinburgh to create a digital platform
(website and mobile application) to triage, educate and support lower back pain
sufferers in their journey from pain to no (or less) pain and decreased risk of
disability. This facilitates immediate
access to appropriate help for sufferers, and has potential to free up existing
NHS resources.
with Active X Backs (SME) and
the University of Edinburgh to create a digital platform
(website and mobile application) to triage, educate and support lower back pain
sufferers in their journey from pain to no (or less) pain and decreased risk of
disability. This facilitates immediate
access to appropriate help for sufferers, and has potential to free up existing
NHS resources.
Meanwhile
one of the GSA’s DHI researchers is also undertaking a project within InDI
working with local makers from Moray and people with lower limb prosthetics to
investigate the emotional
value of different aesthetics for prostheses with a view to being able to offer
specially created personalised greave (a cover for the prosthetic) for each
participant.
one of the GSA’s DHI researchers is also undertaking a project within InDI
working with local makers from Moray and people with lower limb prosthetics to
investigate the emotional
value of different aesthetics for prostheses with a view to being able to offer
specially created personalised greave (a cover for the prosthetic) for each
participant.
The Creative Futures Partnership
The Glasgow School of Art and Highlands and
Islands Enterprise are collaborating on the pioneering Creative Futures
Partnership, which has been established to deliver transformational benefits
for the Highlands and Islands. It
combines the GSA’s strengths in creativity and innovation with HIE’s economic
and community development expertise. Through research and teaching programmes
the partnership is committed to the long-term and sustainable development
of a creative, entrepreneurial and internationally connected region.
Islands Enterprise are collaborating on the pioneering Creative Futures
Partnership, which has been established to deliver transformational benefits
for the Highlands and Islands. It
combines the GSA’s strengths in creativity and innovation with HIE’s economic
and community development expertise. Through research and teaching programmes
the partnership is committed to the long-term and sustainable development
of a creative, entrepreneurial and internationally connected region.
Creative Future Partnership projects include:
PhDs and Masters of Research – programmes specific to the Highlands
and Islands Creative Campus were launched in 2015. They are aimed at students
from a range of backgrounds attracting them to study in the region. Students
are embedded in the communities that they are studying, and current projects
investigate young people, education and climate change.
and Islands Creative Campus were launched in 2015. They are aimed at students
from a range of backgrounds attracting them to study in the region. Students
are embedded in the communities that they are studying, and current projects
investigate young people, education and climate change.
GSA’s Seasonal Schools in the Highlands and Islands
Seasonal schools are
an example of GSA’s progressive teaching modes. Research and teaching carried
out during the schools benefit organisations and communities as well as
students on our programmes.
an example of GSA’s progressive teaching modes. Research and teaching carried
out during the schools benefit organisations and communities as well as
students on our programmes.
Research for, and with, communities
From the beginning of
the CFP research teams have worked closely with communities across the
Highlands and Islands. Reaching remote communities and businesses is a vital
aspect of the CFP. Through the CFP academic research is combined with community
development in the Highlands and Islands.
Examples include:
the CFP research teams have worked closely with communities across the
Highlands and Islands. Reaching remote communities and businesses is a vital
aspect of the CFP. Through the CFP academic research is combined with community
development in the Highlands and Islands.
Examples include:
Digital Makers Research project exploring the role of digital
fabrication technologies to innovate and preserve traditional skills and crafts
fabrication technologies to innovate and preserve traditional skills and crafts
Innovation from Tradition Exploring
how creative practice in the Highlands and Islands can flourish. Innovation from Tradition explores
traditional craft practices in the creation of new opportunities, particularly
in terms of new creative ideas and industries.
how creative practice in the Highlands and Islands can flourish. Innovation from Tradition explores
traditional craft practices in the creation of new opportunities, particularly
in terms of new creative ideas and industries.
The Design Network
The Design Network is a network
for designers, design researchers and businesses to support a flourishing
design industry in the region.
for designers, design researchers and businesses to support a flourishing
design industry in the region.