History

Our Legacy, Our Future — The Story of RGI

For over 160 years, the Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts (RGI) has been a cornerstone of Scottish visual arts, providing a platform for artists to exhibit their work and for the public to engage with contemporary creativity. From its founding in 1861 to its modern-day initiatives, the RGI has continuously evolved, responding to cultural and artistic shifts while maintaining its mission to promote, celebrate, and support the visual arts.

1861 – 1879:

The Founding and Early Success

1861 – A group of prominent artists and art enthusiasts met in Glasgow to establish a dedicated space for contemporary art exhibitions. The Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts was born.

1861 (December) – The first exhibition was held at the McLellan Galleries, attracting over 39,000 visitors, many of whom purchased "Working Men’s Tickets" to experience fine art.

1879 – The RGI opened its own permanent gallery on Sauchiehall Street, reinforcing its role as Glasgow’s premier arts institution.

1880 – 1914:

Expansion, Recognition, and the Glasgow Boys

The RGI grew in scale, reputation, and quality, attracting leading British and European artists, including Millais, Leighton, Watts, Burne-Jones, and Holman Hunt.

The Institute became a vital exhibition space for the Glasgow Boys, a group of young Scottish painters influenced by French Impressionism and Realism, such as Lavery, Guthrie, Hornel, and Henry.

1888 – The success of the Glasgow International Exhibition further cemented RGI’s influence in the Scottish and international art scene.

1909 – The Institute was granted a Royal Charter, officially becoming the Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts (RGI).

1861 – 1879:

The Founding and Early Success

1861 – A group of prominent artists and art enthusiasts met in Glasgow to establish a dedicated space for contemporary art exhibitions. The Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts was born.

1861 (December) – The first exhibition was held at the McLellan Galleries, attracting over 39,000 visitors, many of whom purchased "Working Men’s Tickets" to experience fine art.

1879 – The RGI opened its own permanent gallery on Sauchiehall Street, reinforcing its role as Glasgow’s premier arts institution.

1880 – 1914:

Expansion, Recognition,

and the Glasgow Boys

The RGI grew in scale, reputation, and quality, attracting leading British and European artists, including Millais, Leighton, Watts, Burne-Jones, and Holman Hunt.

The Institute became a vital exhibition space for the Glasgow Boys, a group of young Scottish painters influenced by French Impressionism and Realism, such as Lavery, Guthrie, Hornel, and Henry.

1888 –  The success of the Glasgow International Exhibition further cemented RGI’s influence in the Scottish and international art scene.

1909 –  The Institute was granted a Royal Charter, officially becoming the Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts (RGI).

1940 - 1970:

Post-War Decline and Transition

The impact of World War II and changing artistic movements led to a period of decline. Many artists turned away from traditional institutions like the RGI in favor of new art clubs and independent galleries.

By the 1950s and 1960s, there was a concentrated effort to revitalize the Institute by encouraging younger, more innovative artists to exhibit.

1970s – The RGI continued to adapt, but competition from new art movements and alternative exhibition spaces meant it had to work harder to maintain its prominence.

1914 - 1939:

War, Change, and Conservatism

Despite World War I, the RGI continued its annual exhibitions, featuring established Scottish artists and some of the most famous names of the time, including John Lavery, Waterhouse, Sargent, Renoir, and Whistler.

After the war, the Institute struggled to attract avant-garde artists, as younger painters increasingly broke away from traditional institutions to create their own progressive exhibitions.

The 1930s saw the dominance of conservative artistic values, with the RGI focusing on established traditions rather than experimental movements.

1970 - Present:

Revival and Modernisation

A renewed focus on artist development and contemporary exhibitions helped RGI reclaim its relevance.

The introduction of the J.D. Kelly Gallery provided new opportunities for individual artists, supporting small exhibitions and experimental work.

Today, the RGI remains a key player in Scotland’s artistic landscape, championing diversity, accessibility, and creative excellence.

The RGI continues to evolve and innovate, ensuring that future generations of artists have a platform to thrive and that the public remains engaged with the ever-changing world of contemporary art.

current rgis

Ade Adesina

Reinhard Behrens

Patricia Cain

June Carey

James Cosgrove

Helen Flockhart

Ronald Forbes

Archie Forrest

John Inglis

Jennifer Irvine

Shona Kinloch

Kathryn Kynoch

Elspeth Lamb

Simon Laurie

Rosalind Lawless

Jock MacInnes

Neil MacDonald

William MacLean

Neil MacPherson

Charles MacQueen

Angus McEwan

Tom McKendrick

Ian Mckenzie-Smith

Alice McMurrough

James McNaught

Gordon Mitchell

Leon Morrocco

Robert Murray

Heather Nevay

Hazel Nagl

Jacqueline Orr

Barbara Rae

Alastair Ross

Glen Scouller

Anthony Scullion

Ronald Smith

Michael Snowden

Peter Thomson

James Tweedie

Helen Wilson

Adrian Wiszniewski

Christine MacQueen

Ann Wegmulller

Ashley Cook

Carol Dewart

Claire Harkess

David Schofield

Gail Murray

Gary Anderson

Iain Cook

Rosemary Beaton

Sam Ainsley

Sandi Anderson

Saul Robertson

Joe Hargan

Annie Ferguson

Lara Scouller

Michael Durning

Christopher Wood

Paul Murray

Eve Campbell

Michael Clark

current HONORARY rgis

Liz Lochhead

current rgi TRUSTEES

Paul Murray

Hazel Nagel

Simon Laurie

Gordon Murray

Alice McMurrough

Neil MacDonald

Joe Hargan

Andy Logan (Treasurer)

Michael Durning (Administrator)

The RGI Graduate Award is an annual award presented to emerging artists at the GSA Degree show in recognition of outstanding work. Each year, the recipients are selected by the RGI judging board.

PAST RECIPIENTS

2023: Poppy Fraser

2021: Yeon Ju and Jennifer McNeil

2020: Megan Squire, Charlotte Hayes and Charlotte Elizabeth

2019: Thyme James & Sean Ellcombe

2017: Emma Hales & Lucie Holzer

2016: Sebastian Mary Tay & Rebecca Snow