Artists In Communities

School children in Elcho park celebrate a new community mural, they are laughing and taking photos.

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 arts programme. Since 2018, over 35 artists, collectives, and organisations have delivered 92 projects throughout the city, with over 98,297 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. 

Phase 1 Artists in Residence 2018 - 2019

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

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.

Two elderly people perform on stage with a giant snake cut out.

Artists in Residence Phase 1 Film

Watch Glasgow Life's film that captures the voices of those involved in the Creative Communities Artists in Residence Phase 1.

Phase 1 Film
The artist show a participant the large brightly coloured hand printed banner they helped create. The banner is green and orange with geometric patterns.

Celebrating Creative Communities Artists in Residence

After the very first phase of Creative Communities Artists in Residence, a booklet was produced to record and celebrate the variety and impact of the creative opportunities delivered to people across the city.

Creative Communities Artist In Residence

Phase 2 and 3 Artist in Residence 2020 - 2021

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 across Glasgow’s 23 wards. Taking place during the pandemic and throughout the lockdowns, the projects became a touchstone for many Glaswegians at an unprecedented moment in time. A summary of Phase 2 is available online.

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.

An adult helps young children at a primary school plant seeds in a raised bed.

Artist in Residence Phase 2 Film

Watch Glasgow Life's Phase 2 film showcasing the projects created throughout Glasgow's 23 wards.

Phase 2 Film
School children hold protest signs outdoors

Create 4 Glasgow

Read about the participatory projects created by the Artist in Residence programme following in the footsteps of COP26.

Create 4 Glasgow | COP26

Phase 4 Artist in Communities 2022 – 2023

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.

Three people stand in front of a mural using an app and map.

Artists in Communities: Exploring changes in access and well-being through Glasgow Life’s Artists in Communities programme

Read the three case studies from Artist in Communities Phase 3, evaluated by Emily Davis, joint PhD researcher at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and Glasgow Caledonian University.

Artists in Communities Report
Two children ride a bike that is enclosed by a giant Paper mâché fish.

Artists in Communities Final Evaluation Report Summary | University of Central Lancashire

Read the evaluation report created by the University of Central Lancashire, focusing on Glasgow Life’s 2022–23 Artists in Communities programme. Highlighting how 15 art projects improved local access to culture, enhanced wellbeing, and supported socially engaged artistic development.

Artists in Communities | Evaluation Report

Phase 5 Artist in Communities 2023 - 2025

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.

Screen printed in green the artwork reads "lets take care of Glasgow"

Artists in Communities Programme: Green Economy Iteration | University of Central Lancashire

Read the evaluation report created by the University of Central Lancashire. Focusing on Glasgow Life’s Green Economy arts programme, highlighting community-based projects that promoted cultural access, wellbeing, and environmental action aligned with the Glasgow Green Deal.

Artists in Communities | Green Economy

Velocity Arts Programme 2013 - Ongoing

The Velocity Arts 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, Head of Sustainable Communities

Find out more about Velocity and the Community referral programme.

 

Header Image - Robin Mitchell

  • Artists in Communities Map

    Use Glasgow Life's interactive map to explore the Artist in Communities projects.

    Children in cycling helmets pose together holding a variety of anti-pollution signs
  • Velocity

    Find out more about the Live Well Community Referral and how to get involved in Velocity.

    A group of people standing up during a singing for fun session, which is being led by an instructor who is standing in the corner of the room at a piano.