By In 2014, a blaze broke out at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA) in Glasgow, Scotland. Students watched on social media as firefighters suppressed the flames. In the end, there were no casualties and 90% of the structure was salvaged, but the famous Mackintosh Library was destroyed and the GSA’s roof and the west wing suffered major damage. A £20 million plan to rebuild was devised soon after the fire. However, incredibly, in 2018, with restoration well under way, another fire ripped through the Mackintosh Library, causing extensive damage. Two years of restoration work went up in flames.
The Macintosh Library.
How ready was the GSA to attract and retain supporters for the cause of re-restoring the building? In 2014, the first fundraising drive had started successfully: the reputation of the GSA, and the significance of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, the Scottish architect who designed the Mackintosh Library, generated community trust, a rush of celebrity and foundation donations, and an outpouring of giving to reach the £20 million goal.
But, after the second fire, four years later, there was little steam behind the second appeal, and no celebrities rushed to support the cause. Instead, there was dissent and disinterest from the national government and local community. Local residents protested over the continued lack of access to their homes near the GSA, and legal action was threatened. The media seized on narratives of management failure and abuse of funds. In 2023, costs to rebuild were anticipated to be £100 million.
Artist Claire Henry summed up the emotional response: “We wept the first time. We were enraged the second time.”
Mab Coates-Davies explains what happened in both campaigns and the valuable lessons learned – for anyone involved in disaster philanthropy and fundraising. The Mackintosh Library is estimated to reopen between 2027 and 2030. The hope is that the phoenix will rise from the ashes.
For the full paper, click here: Disaster Philanthropy Goes to Art School, By Mab Coates-Davies, 2023
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Friday, July 19, 2024 in Arts, Closer Takes, For homepage, News & Events
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