GSA Archives & Collections, Doors Open Days 2026

Step inside the creative heart of Glasgow with a behind-the-scenes visit to The Glasgow School of Art Archives and Collections at The Whisky Bond.

As part of this year’s Doors Open Day celebration of Glasgow’s shared social and cultural life, discover how generations of students, artists, designers and architects helped to shape the vibrant Glasgow we know today.

The Archives and Collections are home to an extraordinary range of material, including artworks, architectural drawings, textiles, posters, furniture, plaster casts and personal papers dating from 1845 to the present day. Together, these collections reveal the people, places and ideas that have defined Glasgow’s creative identity across generations.

Our guided tours will explore the stories behind the collections, from the influence of the Glasgow Style and Charles Rennie Mackintosh to the communities, venues and creative networks that have inspired artists and audiences over the last century. Visitors will uncover how student life, artistic collaboration and cultural exchange have long contributed to the city’s unique energy - from celebrated institutions to grassroots creative scenes.

Visitors will have the opportunity to visit the Reading Room, Workroom and Collection Stores, where specially selected materials will be on display. These rarely seen objects and documents offer a fascinating glimpse into Glasgow’s artistic heritage and the lasting connections between the School and the city around it.

Join us to explore memories, movements and moments that continue to shape Glasgow’s creative future.

Limited availability - booking essential.