Sam Ainsley RSA is an artist and teacher and, until 2005, was Head of the MFA Programme at Glasgow School of Art (GSA). She has forged a remarkable career within the visual arts sector nationally and internationally. From 1985 to 1991 she taught on the Environmental Art programme at GSA under David Harding’s leadership before co-founding the Master of Fine Art course. Latterly she has worked collaboratively with David Harding and Sandy Moffat as AHM and continues to work independently in her studio.
Ainsley is a respected and published spokeswoman for the visual arts and her own artwork is in a number of public and private collections nationally and internationally. She has contributed to a broad range of visual art initiatives in Scotland and has served as a board member for many arts organisations. She has exhibited in and curated independent exhibitions and undertaken residencies in numerous institutions and arts organisations across the USA, Australasia, Europe and the UK.