Clydeside Initiative for Arts
SWG3 is built around Clydeside Initiative for Arts Ltd (CIA), the charity that started it all back in 2005. The idea was simple: create affordable spaces where artists, DJs, musicians and designers could work, play, and share their creativity with others.
What began in an empty warehouse by the River Clyde has grown into one of Scotland’s most exciting cultural spaces. Over the years, we’ve turned old industrial buildings into a busy venue filled with art, music, and community life.
Today, we’re home to affordable studios, exhibition and event spaces, a public garden, and Yardworks Studios — Scotland’s first purpose-built space for graffiti and street art. It’s a place where people come together, from emerging and established creatives to families, students and curious visitors, creating a welcoming, collaborative atmosphere.
Beyond our walls, our community programmes, including Yardworks, help more people get involved in the arts, build local connections and open up creative opportunities across the city.
Over the last 20 years, we’ve had a huge impact on the cultural life of Scotland. We have:
- Hosted 3500+ musicians and performing artists
- Held 250+ art exhibitions and on-site projects
- Sponsored studio space for 60 new graduates
- Provided affordable studios for 300+ artists
- Held 700+ cultural events annually
- Had audiences of over 300,000 each year
- Created 40+ public artworks and murals across Glasgow
- Launched one of Europe’s biggest graffiti festivals, Yardworks Festival
- Won awards for environmental sustainability
- Captured the world’s attention with BODYHEAT
- Invested £8 million of private and public funds
Our Team
CIA has a small and dedicated core team:
Helen Fallowell, Finance Manager
Alison Fullerton, Executive Director
Gary Mackay, Yardworks Creative Director
Laura Frood, Creative Placemaking and Social Impact Lead
Devon Poole, Youth Coordinator
Jeremy Needham, Garden Consultant
Our Trustees
Our board of six Voluntary Directors have a broad skillset across creative disciplines, property development, supporting young people and entrepreneurship:
Morag Arnot (Chair): Consultant
Damien Smith: Co-Founder and Partner at ISO Design
Baljinder Singh: Campaign Manager, Show Racism the Red Card
Joe Logan: Architect and Developer, The Loft
Andrew Fleming Brown: Founder of Clydeside Initiative for Arts Ltd and Managing Director, SWG3 Ltd
Clyde Mission
Vacant and Derelict Land Fund
Regeneration Capital Grant Fund
Scottish Enterprise
UK Government’s Community Renewal Fund
Creative Scotland
Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme
District Heating Loan Fund
William Grant Foundation
VKR Foundation
Foundation Scotland
Inspiring Scotland’s Creative Communities
The National Lottery Community Fund
Glasgow Community and Place Fund
Glasgow City Council
CIA is a registered charity (SC037703) and company limited by guarantee (SC286669).
Our Annual Report can be viewed here.