One of Scotland's most distinguished galleries is to have a new lease of life in a proposed deal with Glasgow School of Art.
One of Scotland's most distinguished galleries is to have a new lease of life in a proposed deal with Glasgow School of Art.
Next week the executive committee of Glasgow City Council are likely to approve a 95-year-deal with the GSA to run the McLellan Galleries in the city centre.
The B-listed, 150-year-old galleries, which have lain largely empty for many years, would then be the subject of its own Renaissance - a major redevelopment project costing between £10m and £20m.
The GSA, which could use the venerable gallery space for its fine art degree shows following the disastrous fire at the Mackintosh Building in May, will pay an annual rental of £1,000 for the property.
The council, which owns the building, has been looking for a preferred tenant with a "commitment to repair the building and use it in line with its historic focus on art, culture and public access."
Over recent years the galleries have been utilised from time to time by short-term lets, and are currently partially occupied by the Glasgow School of Art following the blaze.
The council document to be considered by the committee says that if the GSA lease the building, it would "enable the growth of GSA both in terms of students, staff numbers, and research performance, which will have a significant direct and indirect local economic benefit.
"The proposal also promoted the skills agenda through construction and restoration, and the GSA proposal fully committed to maximising community and public benefits across their full estate."
Councillor Gordon Matheson, the leader of Glasgow City Council, said: ??The McLellan Galleries has enjoyed a great past, and we may be close to a fantastic future for this wonderful building.
"The Glasgow School of Art presented an extremely strong case, and the Executive Committee will now consider their proposal.
"This could be great news for the development of the galleries and the growth of the School of Art, as well as this part of the city centre.??
The date of entry and commencement of the 95 year lease would be from September 2015.
GSA proposes to take a lease with an annual rental of £1,000.
The McLellan Galleries comprise three levels - basement, ground and first floors - which lie behind 254-290 Sauchiehall Street.
It is understood the GSA plans include a major architectural revamp of the galleries.
Tens of thousands of pounds are required to be spent on its structure and facilities to enable the building to be used full-time.
Professor Tom Inns, director of the GSA, said: "We hope very much that Glasgow City Council will back the proposal for The Glasgow School of Art to become the long term tenant of McLellan Galleries.
??We are hugely grateful to the Council for accommodating us in McLellan Galleries since the fire in the Mackintosh Building and we have exciting plans to ensure that this important building regains its place at the heart of Glasgow??s creative and cultural life.??
Over the past 15 years, the galleries have been used by GSA and has hosted one-off exhibitions, including Art Treasures of Kelvingrove.
Recently the Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts (RGI) had its annual exhibition there and the GI Festival also used the gallery spaces, which date from 1856.
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