Starting with a group of artists’ studios in a derelict warehouse, SWG3 is now one of Europe’s most credible and loved multi-discipline arts venues.
The next evolution of the site will see SWG3 expand into a major cultural destination and tourist attraction for Scotland.
In a city that has art and music pumping through its veins, SWG3 is one of Scotland’s leading independent venues — a place where creativity, community and commerce collide. Over the last decade, SWG3 has reimagined Glasgow’s industrial heritage — transforming an old galvanizer’s yard by the ghost of the Clyde shipyards – for today’s creative economy. Starting with a group of artists’ studios in a derelict warehouse, SWG3 is now one of Europe’s most credible and loved multi-discipline arts venues.
The next evolution of the site will see SWG3 expand into a major cultural destination and tourist attraction for Scotland. We’ll offer the very best authentic cultural experiences to local and international visitors. We’ll support even more artists, musicians and designers whose creativity is so vital to our health and happiness. We’ll transform this pocket of the city into a characterful place to work, live and visit. We will play our part in the recovery of our city post Covid-19.
There has never been a greater need to (re)connect through culture in our lifetime. Though the future is uncertain, we remain inspired.
This is our blueprint for SWG3.
Currently in construction, the Yardworks Studio will be the newest addition to our ever-expanding clutch of venues, studios and warehouses, offering a permanent, specially-designed base for artists to create work, and for our extensive community projects to flourish.
Currently being installed across the complex, BODYHEAT is a radical system for heating and cooling the venue. Using the latest low carbon technology, balanced with intelligent controls using machine learning, the system will use body heat generated by our audiences to heat and cool the venue.
As part of our mission to use arts, creativity and nature to tackle poverty, we're planting a new garden for the local community to use for planting, creativity and relaxation, as well as a central part of our Going Net Zero plans.
We're transforming the public's experience of the street leading to the SWG3 complex. As well as a new glass-fronted studio for street artists, we'll be installing public art works, and we've already made improvements to lighting and the general appearance of the street.
We've committed to hitting net zero carbon emissions by 2025 or sooner. We'll do it through reusing, reducing and recycling — and through the installation of the pioneering BODYHEAT system. The first of its kind in the UK, it will drastically reduce our energy usage, saving up to an estimated 70 tonnes of carbon per year.
We're working with leading architects Stallan-Brand on transforming the entire SWG3 campus into an iconic new cultural destination for Scotland, including greenspace, a rooftop depot of affordable workspaces, the new Yardworks Studio, and increased connectivity with the surrounding areas.
Thanks to funding from Clyde Mission, we recently completed a £1.85M contract to improve public access routes and connectivity at our site. So far, we've installed a glass-fronted entrance and lobby with fully accessible routes to all the facilities, as well as direct access to the public garden.
The SWG3 Vision is an ambitious plan which will unlock not only the potential of the SWG3 site and its people, but also the surrounding areas and beyond.
With the complex situated in a key location beside Yorkhill Quay, each of the projects supports the strategic development plans for the regeneration of the River Clyde and the Glasgow Riverside Innovation District. Together, they will be a catalyst for improved interaction between the major attractions (such as SEC and the Transport Museum), creative industry hubs and other locations in the GRID area. They will enhance the quality of experience for those moving through the area on foot, bike or wheels. They will improve and promote the network of interlinking green spaces and routes across the River Clyde corridor. And, they'll bind communities together with inspiring cultural programmes.
Our specific goals are: