The Glasgow School of Art (GSA) has a rich creative heritage, connected closely to the artistic and social history of Glasgow and the West of Scotland. Probably best known for its main building designed by alumnus Charles Rennie Mackintosh (1868–1928), the School also holds an incredibly comprehensive archive and a diverse collection of fine art, architecture, and design pieces by
former staff and students. Since 2006 GSA has been working on a Heritage Lottery Funded project to conserve this rich heritage and make it more accessible to visitors. This has involved a wide-ranging conservation programme for the interior of its Mackintosh building and for the School’s historic collections. It has also comprised the development of new storage facilities and improved
visitor areas. Around 20,000 visitors currently come to GSA annually to see Mackintosh’s architectural masterwork; however interest is now also growing in other areas of the School’s archives and collections.