Street art studio part of next phase of redevelopment at Glasgow’s SWG3

Work is to begin on revamping Glasgow’s SWG3 arts venue and the surrounding area into a new cultural destination.

A purpose-built studio will start the next phase of the area’s development, aiming to transform the former industrial area in Finnieston into a street arts district.

SWG3 has been granted £1,531,180 through a combination of funders including the Scottish Government – Regeneration Capital Grant Fund, Foundation Scotland, William Grant Foundation, The National Lottery through Creative Scotland and Scottish Enterprise, which will specifically fund the Yard Works Studio.

The new space will provide a home for hundreds of artists to create work in, as well as a place for youth and community organisations to gather.

Andrew Fleming-Brown, founder and managing director of SWG3, said: “SWG3 is absolutely delighted with this funding support.

“Yard Works has been a big part of our arts programme over the past few years and having the opportunity to develop a purpose-built facility to grow the programme will not just benefit the area culturally, but also have wider social and economic impact through the community.”

SWG3 has established itself as a popular gig venue in recent years, and also hosts galleries and club nights.

The new studio is part of a wider plan to link Partick, Yorkhill and Govan – grouped collectively as the GRID (Glasgow Riverside Innovation District) – with large-scale murals, a gallery trail and visitor attractions.

It will feature a heated workshop complete with a 6m high wall for the creation of large-scale artworks, specialist equipment including extraction and ventilation and flexible working spaces.

With a glazed wall at the front, the activities in the building will help to animate the street, letting people travelling through Eastvale Place see the artworks being created.

The project hopes to support creative industry career paths and nurture skills in those furthest removed from the job market, as well as provide leadership for communities to revitalise their neighbourhoods through street arts.

Scottish Enterprise’s Director of Place Elaine Morrison said: “This project is a great example of how Scottish Enterprise is working with partners across the country to make places for communities, creating jobs and helping us become a net zero emissions economy.

“The SWG3 masterplan is really helping transform that part of Glasgow into a cultural hub, and more importantly using arts, creativity and nature to tackle poverty in neighbouring communities. As part of the regeneration of the Glasgow Riverside Innovation District, this is creative placemaking in action and we are really excited to be part of it.”