He says the choice of Tram-way for the final show for the Master of Fine Art programme in June is made on the basis that there is no charge for the hire of the venue apart from technical costs, that the GSA gets to "piggy back" on Tramway’s international standing and reputation by association and that this is a " subsidy that GSA is reluctant to lose".

First, he is wrong that no charge is made for the venue. GSA, not Tramway, bears the cost of the MFA show, including technical assistance. Secondly, he says GSA "piggy backs" on Tramway’s international standing. It is good that he acknowledges its reputation and we are proud to be associated with it, but his comments are rather dismissive of the MFA, which has its own impressive reputation.

Our MFA programme is one of the main reasons artists come to Glasgow. Four of the nine artists shortlisted for this year’s Becks Futures Award were GSA graduates and three of the four completed the MFA, including the winner, Rosalind Nashashibi. Other graduates include Simon Starling and Clare Barclay, two of the three main artists chosen to represent Scotland at its first official presence for over 100 years at the Venice Biennale. The third, Jim Lambie, was a graduate of our environmental art programme.

Our involvement with Tram-way comes not from any "piggy back" profile or cut-price deal, but out of respect for its worldwide reputation. It is the ideal space to show the work of artists completing their masters programme be-fore embarking on their own international careers.

SEONA REID
Director, Glasgow School of Art
Renfrew Street
Glasgow

original article : http://www.news.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=1327302003