SCOTLAND’S leading performing arts school has announced a major rebrand that will position it as “a world-leading arts education centre for top talent from around the world”.
The Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film & Television will be the new name for the MGA Academy of Performing Arts, the only school of its kind in Scotland accredited by the Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre (CDMT).
Founded in Edinburgh in 2006, the “Scottish Institute” is also relocating to a new multi-million pound campus in Livingston, West Lothian, to be officially launched with an event later this month.
The move is part of a “pivotal rebrand” resulting from the Institute’s new ownership from major Irish production studio Silver Rock Studios.
The new commercial model aims to reflect the Institute’s position as “a leader in the global performing arts landscape, as well as its new global footprint”.
The model will also “guarantee training opportunities for top tier international talent for the first time”.
The new model incorporates world class training from some of the biggest names in the industry, alongside high-end sponsorships for industry-standard tech and equipment, to solidify its offering of world-leading arts education.
The Scottish Institute will guarantee students credits on their CVs through Silver Rock Studios, while new partnerships with global companies will remove many of the financial barriers to high quality performing arts training for home-grown talent.
The restructure will enable the Institute to expand its courses across the performing arts. It will also allow the school to increase intake of both full-time and part-time students, with the capacity to triple the previous student enrolment.
As part of its new industry-leading facilities, the Institute has opened the Howden Park Theatre, an innovative and fully equipped performance space with a 300-seat auditorium and rehearsal rooms to facilitate student performances.
The Scottish Institute has secured funding from the Scottish Government, West Lothian Council, and Creative Scotland.
Officials say that, as a leading vocational performing arts school, the launch of the new campus and title marks a transformative time, demonstrating the Institute’s commitment to exceptional teaching and paving the way for students’ successful entry into the performing arts, film and television industries.
Andy Egan, President and CEO of The Scottish Institute, said: “It is an honour to introduce The Scottish Institute and open our brand-new campus to our wonderful students, staff and visitors.
“The Institute is built on the academy’s reputation and our roots in Edinburgh. This pivotal expansion further marks our commitment to fostering an environment where creativity, learning, and profession development take centre stage.
“We are delighted to open our new campus to international students this year, and introduce our faculty of experienced and talented professors to new students.
“As we invite our students to our new, state-of-the-art Livingston campus we aspire to nurture a hub that champions creativity, entrepreneurship, and learning to inspire the next generation of talent.”
THE SCOTTISH INSTITUTE OF THEATRE, DANCE, FILM & TELEVISION IS THE NEW NAME FOR THE FORMER EDINBURGH-BASED MGA ACADEMY OF PERFORMING ARTS. THE SCHOOL HAS ALSO RELOCATED TO A NEW MULTI-MILLION POUND CAMPUS IN LIVINGSTON, WEST LOTHIAN.
