Exclusive:Rennie Mackintosh Society in bid to take over fire-hit art school building with 'international pressure group'
The Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society believes it can spearhead the restoration of the Glasgow School of Art’s The Mack
Mackintosh experts have vowed to form an “international pressure group” to take over The Glasgow School of Art’s fire-hit Mackintosh Building and lead a “world-class” reconstruction project.
It comes after the art school announced it could not afford to fully rebuild the world-renowned ‘Mack’, which was severely damaged by two fires in 2014 and 2018.
Matthew Williams, The Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society Director, said the organisation believes the art school has lost “credibility” - and that it should no longer decide the future of the building.
Mr Williams said: “I understand and support the need for The Glasgow School of Art to focus on its internationally renowned teaching and research.
“However, in respect of the Mackintosh Building, and given its recent statements, the GSA no longer has the credibility to spearhead a world-class reconstruction project.”
The Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society is calling for The Mack to come under a new model of custodianship fronted by its experts.
Last week, Glasgow School of Art (GSA) announced “the current governance, management and delivery model for the Mackintosh Building Project is not sustainable alongside GSAs primary purpose”.
Art school management said it would not be possible to reinstate the internationally important building without “an appropriate external partnership vehicle”.
The art school previously insisted it was committed to a faithful reinstatement of the building.
However, it last week said "financial clarity" provided by an insurance settlement regarding the 2018 blaze has shown it "cannot take forward the faithful reinstatement on its own”.
A report from GSA said the total cost of restoring the Mackintosh would be around £265m.
It also said the building was no longer vital to its functioning as an art school and suggest The Mack could be an anchor for a "creative and cultural production innovation district".
Mr Williams said this view “significantly changes the view of the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society regarding the future custodianship of the building”.
He added: “We are the only organisation dedicated solely to Mackintosh and his legacy.
“The Society’s members and expert advisors continue to agree with the prevailing public opinion that the only acceptable course of action for the Mackintosh Building is reconstruction. “
In last week’s announcement, GSA called for a substantial external partnership to faithfully reinstate the Mackintosh Building.
The Society said it agrees this is the best strategic option and asks that the GSA now agrees to transfer the responsibility of the building to a newly formed independent Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV).
This new body, formed of heritage building experts and major project specialists, would have responsibility for the reconstruction of the building.
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“My view is that the Society, as an independent membership organisation, is in the best position to galvanise support and bring together under one banner those who want the Mackintosh Building restored to its rightful place as Scotland’s finest twentieth century building,” Mr Williams said.
“Over the coming weeks the Society will form an international pressure group to lobby for exactly that.”
He added: “The Society will shortly release a vision statement for the Mackintosh Building and seek support for its position from organisations, businesses and individuals.
“Following that our team will work with others to develop a strategy and action plan, creating a platform for constructive engagement with concerned members of the public, the creative industries, and potential funders.
“The Glasgow School of Art will be part of that process, but there is a sense from all quarters that the organisation should no longer decide the future of the Mackintosh Building.”
Education and Culture Secretary Màiri McAllan said The Mack is of the “most utmost cultural significance to Glasgow, Scotland and around the world”.
“My clear preference is for the Mack to be faithfully reinstated,” she added.
“This will naturally require significant expertise in design, built heritage and major projects.
“I have met with Glasgow School of Art to discuss their vision for the future of the Mackintosh building, and while no request for public funding has been made, I was clear that we will work with them and other partners to help secure a prosperous future for this iconic building."
The Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society has an existing committee made up of leaders in heritage architecture, building conservation and curation, many of whom have worked extensively on the Mackintosh Building in the past.
They will be sharing their expert advice with the Society’s trustees prior to the formation of the SPV in the coming year.
An open call for SPV members and partners will be part of that process.
Chairman of Trustees, Michael Dale said: “For over a century, the Mackintosh Building embodied Glasgow’s industrial dynamism and international cultural importance.
“It was Glasgow’s creative spirit made manifest.
“The Society wants to bring people together to get the Mackintosh Building restored.
“Trustees will be in touch with organisations, businesses and individuals in the coming weeks setting out the Society’s vision and asking them to support it.
“We want to harness the enormous passion for the Mackintosh Building and create an international network of allies before developing a strategy.
Mr Williams added: “The Mackintosh Building is important for the creative soul of the nation, a cornerstone of Scotland’s cultural leadership, and a place of pilgrimage for visitors from around the world: it can and must be restored.”
A statement from Glasgow School of Art said: “As detailed in our recent announcement and the addendum to our Strategic Outline Business Case, the GSA remains committed to exploring every opportunity for the Mackintosh Building to be rebuilt. We have begun conversations with stakeholders about potential partnerships, and these discussions are ongoing.”
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