Our world
Since its formation in 2005, The MGA Academy of Performing Arts has developed into one of the UK’s leading lights in the fields of innovative student training and professional-level networking.
The MGA Academy Board
In 2005 Murray Grant and Andrew Gowland began running workshops in acting, singing, dance and musical theatre in Edinburgh and the surrounding area. By July 2010 they had fulfilled their vision of establishing a permanent base for performing arts training. The launched MGA (Murray Grant & Andrew Gowland) because they felt strongly that students in Scotland could not stay in Scotland and receive the training they needed to succeed, and recognised that the opportunities and relevant but expensive training offered in London was out of reach for many talented young people.
As founders of MGA, Andrew (Managing Director) and Murray (Creative Director) are supported by some of the most successful performers, creatives, business leaders and teachers in the UK and US. In 2012 Marcella Macdonald became Academic Director, and Academy Principal, marking an incredibly exciting phase in the development of the organisation.
School affiliations
Equity

Equity deems courses run by The MGA Academy of Performing Arts worthy of recognition and is therefore willing to accept applications for membership from its students.
Equity is the UK trade union for professional performers and creative practitioners. As a leading industry organisation, Equity is known and respected nationally and internationally for work with, and on behalf of, Equity members working across all areas of the entertainment industry.
Spotlight

Spotlight is the UK’s leading casting resource with ‘unrivalled knowledge and contacts at the heart of the industry.’ Over 60,000 performers appear in Spotlight and thousands of production companies, broadcasters, ad agencies and independent casting directors use Spotlight as their number one casting resource.
All MGA third-year students are required to become Spotlight members in preparation for their showcase at the end of the year. This gives them an insight into current casting, allows them to begin submitting themselves for appropriate jobs and sets them aside from other new graduates.
Student Awards Agency for Scotland

Full‑time Scottish nationals and some international students can apply for SAAS funding for MGA full-time three-year courses. Eligible students can receive approximately £1,205 funding from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland each year. Visit www.saas.gov.uk to apply or to find out if you are eligible. If you are successful, support is paid directly to MGA by SAAS and the amount will be subtracted from your course fee account.
Student Loans Company Scotland
Students who are eligible can apply for a student loan for maintenance and/or tuition fees for the MGA full-time three-year diploma courses.
Student Loans Company is a non-profit making, government-owned organisation set up in 1989 to provide loans and grants to students in universities and colleges in the UK. www.slc.co.uk
Industry links and relationships
We are thrilled to be able to offer our students a truly professional training experience. We have built close working relationships with several companies and organisations that span the range of the Performing Arts industry and our students are uniquely placed to reap the rewards: from management and casting agencies through to production companies and industry practitioners.
Current business links include: