About us

Moray School of Art (MSA) offers a student centred, studio-based experience on a small campus within UHI Moray in the Cathedral City of Elgin, close to the beautiful Spey Valley and within easy reach of an exceptional coastline and the magnificent Cairngorm National Park.

You'll be taught by a highly experienced team of visual practitioners who will support you to explore and experiment with a range of fine art media such as painting, digital imaging, photography, drawing, sculpture, and printmaking. You will also have support from academics who will help you to write about your own practice and the work of other artists.

First year places are limited to 18, keeping class sizes and year groups comparatively small. You will have regular contact with PHD and MA qualified staff and can tap into their professional knowledge and expertise so that you can develop to your full potential.

Generous studio spaces, specialist workshop equipment and good working relationships with external organisations and agencies mean that you will have all the necessary resources at hand to enable you to develop your creative practice.

With direct entry opportunities in year 2 and 3, MSA aims to facilitate the creative self-development of all students. The variety and breadth of work exhibited in our fourth year Degree Show each year demonstrates the value we place on the development of the individual learner. A healthy programme of visiting artists and guest exhibitors throughout the year in the B-listed Georgian building’s central gallery space contribute to the vibrancy of the school.

Final year MSA students enjoy access to selection for the prestigious Royal Scottish Academy “New Contemporaries" annual exhibition in Edinburgh with student work also annually selected for the Society of Scottish Artists and Visual Art Scotland.

4th year degree students take part in our annual Fine Art Degree Show which is the highlight of the academic year with students displaying their creative talent to the public.

Students are encouraged to engage in interdisciplinary ways of working and often work with more than one medium in their practice. Graduates of the school have gone into the creative workplace, become self-employed, undertaken residencies and post graduate study in a range of locations.

MSA Alumni are active in Moray, across the Highlands and Islands and into Aberdeenshire, the Central Belt and beyond. Past students contribute regularly to the local and national visual arts scene. The Orchard Road Studios and Gallery Pop were founded by MSA graduates, whilst The Link Studios (WASPS) in Nairn and The Moray Art Centre have become a home for some following study. New development and employment opportunities have also been provided by Moray Arts Development Engagement.