We are thrilled to announce that SWG3 has been awarded over half a million pounds to develop a brand new pocket of the city dedicated solely to street and graffiti art forms.
A £500,000 grant awarded by the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund, and an additional grant of £40,000 from the William Grant Foundation, will be used to create the Yard Works Studio at the SWG3 complex, as well as to help transform the immediate area into a colourful new district for street arts.
A new creative district
Designed to provide a creative hub for artists of all levels, ages and background, the new district forms part of broader plans to transform the immediate areas surrounding SWG3 and the Clydeside, elevating the area of Yorkhill for locals and visitors to the city. As well as dedicated training programme for community groups, the plans will see local artists showcasing their work in large-scale murals on wall space across Yorkhill, Govan and Partick.
“We’re extremely grateful for this funding, which is a vital step towards increasing recognition for all street-based art forms across Scotland. We’re thrilled to be able to provide a platform where artists can not only share their experiences and produce amazing works, but grow their employment prospects in the creative industry, develop their skills, and gain confidence, which is especially important amongst those from disadvantaged backgrounds. It will also have a real impact within the local community, allowing us to continue our work with young people facing economic disadvantage, as well as working towards SWG3’s wider plans for regenerating the area.”
Gaz Mac, SWG3 Studio Director and co-founder of Yardworks
The Yardworks Studio
At the centre of the district will be the Yardworks Studio, the UK's first purpose-built home for street arts, which will provide space for hundreds of artists to create work.
Built on-site in SWG3's Yard, the studio will provide a heated workshop complete with 12m high wall for the creation of large works, specialist equipment, and flexible working space for artists as well as youth and community organisations. With a glazed wall at the front, people passing by on Eastvale Place will be able to catch a glimpse of the exciting work being created within the hub.
Founded in 2016, the Yardworks project has been instrumental in the explosion of Glasgow’s street arts scene and in nurturing and supporting a community of over 80 artists, the majority of whom come from disadvantaged areas across Glasgow.
