Trongate set for art attack as stunning new venue prepares to open its doors
The Glaswegian / By Frank Hurley
A UNIQUE arts centre in Glasgow will soon be burgeoning with entries from eight of Scotland's most diverse and vibrant arts organisations.
They will begin to arrive this summer at the city's new centre for the arts and creativity - Trongate 103 - in time for its opening to the public in September.
It's total s8.5 million cost has been funded by Glasgow City Council, The National Lottery through the Scottish Arts Council (SAC), Scottish Enterprise and The Merchant City Townscape Heritage Initiative.
The former six-storey Edwardian warehouse will be transformed into a creative hub for the production and exhibition of contemporary visual art.
It will house galleries, workshops, artists' studios and production spaces supporting the creation of art in a wide variety of media including printmaking, photography, digital media, film, video, kinetic sculpture, painting and ceramics.
The centre will offer classes and training courses for members of the public, curriculum based education programmes for schools, and tailored outreach projects for youth and community groups.
Councillor George Ryan, Executive Member for Development and Regeneration at the council, said: "Trongate 103 is a unique project that will play a key role in ensuring Glasgow maintains its position as a global player in contemporary art.
"One of the many factors that make this a building unlike any other is the sheer diversity of experience and opportunity on offer to a huge number of people, from artists to school and youth groups, and from community organisations to individuals with an interest in art.
"While we are seeing the development of an 'artist's quarter' from Trongate 103 down to The Briggait, it should be remembered that all of the arts organisations involved were already located nearby and had played their own part in the regeneration of the city."
Malcolm Dickson, chair of the Trongate 103 Tenants' Forum, said: "The opening represents an exciting milestone for eight arts organisations - some based in the area for more than 20 years.
"Over the years so many budding and established artists, filmmakers, musicians, creators and members of the public have passed through our doors and we have all seen the positive effects of those encounters.
"The potential for us all to develop as unique individual arts organisations and to work together collectively as part of Trongate 103 is both innovative and challenging."
Jim Tough, SAC chief executive, said: "Investing in the spaces artists need to create work is vital for the health and growth of our creative community.
"This is a firm commitment to the future of our artists and arts organisations."
