Artists In Communities

Glasgow Life Artists in Communities is a programme that transforms lives by engaging local communities across the city in creative and cultural activity, alongside the Velocity programme. Since 2018, over 35 artists, collectives, and organisations have delivered 92 projects throughout the city, with over 76,000 people engaged as of 2025. 

Each phase of Artists in Communities and the creative and cultural projects led by artists across Glasgow, fostered local engagement and addressed key social issues, including the Covid-19 pandemic and the climate crisis.

Explore the history of Artists in Communities and each phase below. 

In December 2018, Glasgow launched Creative Communities: Artists in Residence, a city-wide initiative funded by Glasgow City Council, Festival 18, and delivered by Glasgow Life. The programme commissioned 23 artists to work with and engage local communities in each of Glasgow’s 23 wards.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, 65,000 people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds participated in a wide range of artistic activities, including visual arts, music, theatre, film, storytelling, and digital art.

Explore the projects that took place in each ward.

Following the success of Phase 1, Creative Communities: Artists in Residence received funding from Glasgow City Council for Phases 2 and 3, which took place from 2020 to 2021. Phases 2 and 3 supported 23 projects for communities in Glasgow’s 23 wards during the pandemic and throughout the lockdowns, becoming a touchstone for many Glaswegians at an unprecedented moment in time.

Art activities were also delivered as part of Create 4 Glasgow, a participatory project following in the footsteps of COP26. Several Artists in Residence collaborated with Create 4 Glasgow to engage schools and the public in themes of climate resilience.

Explore the projects that took place in each ward.

In 2022, Glasgow Life’s Artist in Residence became Artist in Communities, a hyper-local series of 15 projects aimed at increasing access to creative opportunities and enhancing wellbeing.

The programme involved 23 artists, 49 third-sector organisations, 39 schools, and other community groups, and engaged 7,622 people in arts-based activities. Weekly workshops produced artworks, performances, events and experiences, linked to the UCI Cycling World Championships in 2023.

These 15 projects empowered people from all backgrounds, allowed them to express themselves through dance, spoken word, sound recordings, and bike rides, and strengthened their cultural connection to their community.

Explore the 15 Artist in Communities projects.

From 2023 to 2025, Artists in Communities received funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to create 6 projects to increase access to creative opportunities, improve wellbeing, and support socially engaged arts practice. These projects also focused on environmental justice and climate action and engaged 1,675 people through activities including plays, tree planting, and bike rides, promoting cultural and environmental citizenship. Participants created artworks, performances, and experiences through these projects, contributing to The Glasgow Green Deal and net-zero transition. 

Explore the 6 Artist in Communities projects.

The Velocity programme was launched in 2013 as part of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. It aims to highlight arts and culture across the city, particularly in the East End. A collaboration of artists, arts organisations, architects, and strategic partners led by Glasgow Life, Glasgow City Council, Creative Scotland, and Clyde Gateway, Velocity creates vibrant community-focused initiatives.

One of Velocity’s key achievements was securing initial funding for the Baltic Street Adventure Playground in Dalmarnock. This free, child-led play space was designed by the Turner Prize-winning architects Assemble and remains a vital community hub today.

From 2017, Velocity’s focus shifted to community-driven projects as Glasgow co-hosted the European Championships, including the East End Artist in Residence programme. This programme led to the creation of initiatives like Singing for Fun, responding to community feedback for more music and singing opportunities, aligning with Glasgow Life’s Live Well Community Referral pilot in Calton.

“The Velocity Project has been a hugely successful, long-running partnership between Clyde Gateway, Glasgow Life and local residents. It has become an integral part of Clyde Gateway’s holistic regeneration efforts in the East End of Glasgow, employing arts and culture as tools to link large-scale capital investment to the needs of local people. I am proud of the work that has been co-produced in the area over the years and the lasting legacy of projects such as Baltic Street Adventure Playground and The Bridgeton Umbrella, which benefited from the input of artists. I’m also in awe of the expertise of our Glasgow Life colleagues and Artists in Residence as they navigate challenging topics such as Covid and climate change, using their skills to take forward meaningful conversations with Glasgow’s residents in new and creative ways.” - Niki Spence

Find out more about Velocity and the Community referral programme.