Community Heritage Projects

We are pleased to announce the 8 projects which have been awarded as part of our community grants programme. The scheme aims to engage community and heritage organisations, social businesses, and local groups in conversations about Sauchiehall Street’s vibrant past, culture and built environment. By exploring collective memories and discussing plans for future renewal, the initiative fosters community-led activities and discussions, as well as piloting ideas, that can contribute towards the 10-year framework for Sauchiehall Street’s regeneration as a Culture and Heritage District. 

Garnetbank Primary's project worked with the school's young people to investigate the area’s historical roots as moorland. As part of their wider plans to transform the schools outdoor green spaces, their project included sustainable planting and greening of the entrance of the school, and engaged the community in planting sessions. The school collaborated with local green groups to educate students about the area's heritage and future possibilities for sustainable urban renewal.

Garnetbank Primary School's website

Led by artist Sara Pinto, Sitting with Mackintosh investigated the famous Charles Rennie Mackintosh chair through the lens of Garnethill Multicultural Centre's Senior Art Class. The class delved into Mackintosh’s chair designs, examining their history and cultural significance. The group worked with GSA Archives & Collections and Mackintosh at the Willow to undertake their research, and created artwork inspired by the chairs. The project culminate in an exhibition of the works in Glasgow School of Art's Window on Heritage space.

Senior Art Group's website.

Drawing inspiration from the meaning of original Sauchiehall - "Willow Valley" - this project worked with young people and their families to think about what the street means to young people today. Through willow lantern-making workshops led by artist Connie Woods Gundry, the young people used willow as a symbolic material tied to the street's past to create lanterns which reflected personal stories and memories of the street. These workshops aim to foster conversations about Sauchiehall Street's past, present, and future. The project culminate in a lantern procession, celebrating the community's collective vision for the area’s renewal.

Kid's Art Club's website.

FROGGS documented the unique contributions of the Garnethill community to the area's history, and highlighted local efforts to address global challenges, ensuring these stories are preserved for future generations. Taking an intergenerational approach to oral storytelling, two young artists were engaged to collect oral histories, photographs, and artefacts. The artists created an outdoor exhibition in the FROGG's green space. The exhibition focused on community resilience and the people who shaped Garnethill's character, including stories about critical interventions and work of local artists and activists. 

Friends of Garnethill Green Spaces' website.

St Aloysius ESOL group led a research project with new scot students and ESOL volunteers. The project will explored the histories of migrant communities who have settled in Garnethill over the past century. The project will included research trips at the Mitchell Library and engagement with local archives and groups. The group documented migrant stories from countries including Ireland, Pakistan, Italy, and China. They produced an exhibition of interviews, photos, and recordings with the support of Glasgow School of Art to highlight the contributions of migrant communities in Garnethill. 

More about St Aloysius' ESOL group.

Wing Hong Centre worked with their community to uncover the rich influence of the Chinese community on Sauchiehall Street, focusing on cultural traditions, food, mapping, and greenspaces. A small events programme engaged people through inclusive storytelling, creative workshops, community meals, and mapping workshops. They also lead environmental and planting workshops in Wing Hong's communal garden, called "Oasis on Sai Jai" (San Jai meaning "little hill" in Cantonese), reflecting the community’s resilience and dedication to creating spaces of belonging.

Wing Hong Chinese Elderly Centre's website.