Archives and Collections Centre

The Archives and Collections Centre oversees The Glasgow School of Art’s archive and artifact collections. The School’s archives are an outstanding resource for the study of art, deign, architecture and art education. They comprise of the School's institutional records, (which document the School's activities since its foundation in 1845), and a number of archive collections deposited by former staff, students and related organizations. The School also holds an important collection of art, design and architecture. In total we have c.3000 pieces (almost entirely by former students and staff) of which 10% are by Charles Rennie Mackintosh. This gives us the 3rd largest Mackintosh holding in the world.

The archives and artefact collections tell us about the School’s past activities, its personnel and its buildings. Given the School's history and international reputation, the archives are of immense importance for researching the development of the School's taught disciplines and the many influential people who have worked and studied here.They include documents produced by the School such as Governors’ Minutes, Prospectuses, Reports, and Student Registers, and items donated to or purchased by the School such as student sketch books, diaries, textile pieces, medals, architectural drawings, paintings, prints, ceramics, metalwork and furniture.

These collections are a fantastic learning resource for GSA students and staff and are also used by many external researchers from around the world. Visitors to the Research Centre have used its contents to undertake historical research or as inspiration for studio work. The collections have also supported various conservation, access, and research projects, including the School’s current HLF funded Mackintosh Conservation and Access Project and the AHRC funded Northern Italian Sketchbook Project and Website.

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