Ward 22, Phase 1, Our Podcasts Are on Spotify? Cool!

A group of school children dance to music.
This project has brought strangers together.

As part of Glasgow Life’s Creative Communities Artists in Residence programme for Ward 22, Dennistoun, Culture Junction’s Karen McGrady Parker delivered Our Podcasts Are on Spotify? Cool!

Playlist-making became the foundation of Karen’s residency, acting as a conversation starter, a reason to meet new people, and a way to connect across the ward. Through a series of creative sessions and micro-residencies, over 40 tracks were selected by individuals and community groups for Playlist 22, to be gifted and shared with others in the area.

Workshops also explored music through drama, writing, and cartooning, supporting participants in expressing their personal stories and memories. Some learned recording and editing techniques, gaining hands-on insight into the creative industries. These sessions resulted in four original tracks being added to the playlist.

Collected conversations, reflections and suggestions shaped ideas for future creative work across the ward. The final playlist stands as a lasting document of community voices, connections and shared sound.

Playlist 22 is available to hear by searching ‘Playlist 22’ on Spotify.

A special thanks to community partners, supporters and contributors: Royston Library | Dennistoun Library | Homework Club, Royston Library | Golfhill Primary School | Haghill Park Primary School | St Stephen’s Primary School | Dennistoun Writers Group | St Roch’s Nursery | City Park Nursery | KATS after school group | Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Services | GAMH, Dennistoun Library.