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New community arts programme aims to 'transform' the lives of local Glaswegians

New community arts programme aims to 'transform' the lives of local Glaswegians <i>(Image: A new community arts programme is aiming to transform the lives of Glaswegians)</i>
New community arts programme aims to 'transform' the lives of local Glaswegians (Image: A new community arts programme is aiming to transform the lives of Glaswegians)

A new community arts programme is hoping to transform the lives of Glaswegians with a range of creative projects.

The Artists in Communities programme, curated by Glasgow Life, will see 15 local artists and arts organisations delivering a range of visual art, music, filmmaking, storytelling, and poetry projects throughout the city.

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The programme, which is funded by Creative Scotland and Glasgow City Council, will take place throughout the Northwest, NorthEast, and South of Glasgow and aims to transform lives by encouraging and enabling participation in creative and cultural activities.

Glasgow Times:
Glasgow Times:

Karen Shaw, Glasgow Life senior art producer, said: "These projects offer a great variety of exciting opportunities to support local communities throughout the city.

"They’re designed to encourage and enable people of all ages and from all groups to come together to connect and take part in enjoyable, enriching shared activities that make a real difference to lives.

"Programmes such as this are vital to mental and physical health, helping to reduce isolation and ensure social inclusion. And it’s particularly during challenging times such as these when people are coping with additional pressures and stresses which are so detrimental to wellbeing, that involvement in cultural and sports activities is particularly important and valuable."

Glasgow Times:
Glasgow Times:

In the Northwest of Glasgow, projects will include workshops for children and young people to learn skills in film-making by Ignite Theatre, as well as tile and mosaic workshops in local primary schools by local artist Louise Dolan.

Louise said: "I have lived in Glasgow for over 25 years, working by, with and for communities in the north of the city.

"I’ll be continuing work on the Stockingfield Bridge Many Hands Mosaic and building our community through creative connection.

"There will be clay, colour and reconnecting."

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Glasgow Times:

The NorthEast will see workshops in primary schools, recovery groups and users of local parks, as well as drop-in befriending arts activities in the Forge by Rebecca Fraser, as part of a project developing a new skate park at Old Forge Ironworks.

Rebecca said: "I live and work alongside my local community to explore creativity, share stories and document east end life.

"Over the past few years, we have planted a garden, recorded a podcast, painted murals and walked many miles together chatting and becoming friends."

Glasgow Times:
Glasgow Times:

In the south of Glasgow, projects will include music and dance workshops for Roma communities to explore and promote well-being and create performance pieces for a series of events.

Also, the organisation Glasgow Barons, will be providing music and singing workshops with local schools, festival events, choir development, and creating rap music videos celebrating mural trails to encourage active travel.

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Ando Glaso, who will be delivering the Roma communities project, said: "We aim to empower and connect Roma communities through culture and heritage.

"Our work during this project will nurture and support the cultural development of Roma groups and individuals while delivering exciting collaborations and events."

Glasgow Times:
Glasgow Times:

The programme is beginning to be delivered now and will run until the end of August.

For more information on the Artists in Communities programme, click HERE