18 September 2026

Glasgow International wins Arts and Culture Award at Inspiring City Awards

Inspiring City Awards 2026 Winner

Congratulations to the Glasgow International Festival of Contemporary Art (GI) team, who took home the Arts and Culture (Festivals) Award at last night’s Inspiring City Awards.

This summer’s festival ran over 18 days across 35 locations, including city galleries, artist-run spaces, and outdoor venues. The ambitious free programme featured 74 exhibitions, events, and performances by local and international artists.

Reflecting on the award win, Martel Ollerenshaw, Festival Manager, said: "In a category with five other amazing festivals, Glasgow International won the Arts & Culture (Festivals) Award.

"Glasgow International can only be achieved by working in collaboration with the sector. This year we worked with over 120 artists and partnered with 36 organisations. including community organisers, artist-led spaces, commercial galleries, public museums, and cultural organisations, to create a lasting impact on the city.

"We are thrilled to have won this award and thank everyone who made it possible."

Helen Nisbet, Director of Glasgow International said:

"Glasgow International is a locally, nationally, and internationally significant contemporary art festival, run by a small team who care deeply about artists and this city. We collaborate very closely with a brilliant community of artists and arts organisations and couldn’t deliver the festival without them. 

"This award is important validation for what we do and helps us to build local and global support and advocacy for our future. We are delighted." 

 

Celebrating shortlisted projects across Glasgow Life

Celtic Connections was also shortlisted in the Arts and Culture (Festivals) category, while Glasgow 2026 won the Sport Award for the Commonwealth Games.

We are immensely proud of all the Glasgow Life teams, projects, and partnerships shortlisted across categories last night:

Community Impact Award – Education, Skills & Employability

  • BeWell+
  • SP Square / feat.food / Cooking for All

Community Impact Award – Neighbourhood & Grassroots

  • Legacy of Glasgow Mela
  • Museum of Welcome

Heritage Champion Award

  • Langside Library: A New Chapter
  • Sauchiehall Street Culture & Heritage District
  • The Riverside Museum Volunteer Guides

Sport Award

  • Glasgow Life

Youth Empowerment Project Award

  • Alternative to Curriculum
  • Intercultural Youth Group
  • Southside Stars

Thank you to all our colleagues, partners, and nominees whose dedication helps make Glasgow a vibrant and inspiring city.