Velocity
Originally created as part of the cultural programme for Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, Velocity has brought arts and participation opportunities to communities in Glasgow for more than 10 years.
In 2014, Velocity was a cultural initiative created as part of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, when it was led by Glasgow Life, Glasgow City Council, Creative Scotland, and Clyde Gateway. It was instrumental in the creation of a new play space, Baltic Street Adventure Playground, which is still open today.
In 2017, Velocity in Communities focused on creative community projects as part of the build-up to the 2018 European Championships, co-hosted by Glasgow and Berlin.
This included the Velocity Artist in Residence programme. Karen McGrady Parker was commissioned as the lead artist to work in the Calton area of Glasgow, up to and during the 2018 European Championships. Together with a team of freelance artists, she provided opportunities for local people to take part in artistic activities including creative writing, acting, dancing and music, as well as daily performances in Glasgow Green at GO LIVE!, part of the Championships’ cultural offering.
This first year of Velocity in Communities was funded by Festival 2018, Clyde Gateway and Creative Scotland.
Beyond 2018 the Velocity programme continues, and still provides regular opportunities for local community groups and schools to engage in a variety of arts programmes with high quality, skilled artists.
It is now funded by Clyde Gateway and managed by Glasgow Life.
Explore Velocity projects
Follow these links to discover Velocity projects that have been mapped on the Glasgow Life Artists in Communities website:
Baltic Street Adventure Playground (2014)
Commissioned for Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, this free playground in the heart of Dalmarnock still runs to this day.
Go for Gold (2018)
An inclusive performance project co-designed with young people from Glasgow’s East End and Rutherglen. The result was a dynamic piece of outdoor theatre performed during Festival 2018
News desk 2040 (2019 - 2023)
Local residents, young people and adults with disabilities explored climate change, and sharedg visions of a better future, in a range of workshops. Outcomes included a podcast and a sharing day.
Cuningar Loop (2021 - 2025)
A series of projects delivered in the East End's Cuningar Loop gave a range of local groups the opportunity to try photography, storytelling, drama, music, visual arts and more.
Singing for Fun (est 2022)
An innovative, creative community-led singing programme based in Calton, Singing for Fun was established in 2022, and continues to provide weekly creative sessions that support health and well-being through song, connection and expression.
Sustainable Programme (2024/25)
A residency that explored themes of sustainability through creative engagement with a range of community groups.
A taste of Velocity – Singing for Fun
Singing for Fun is a great example of a project which emerged from Velocity. It was first set up in response to feedback from communities, who wanted more music and singing opportunities, and it coincided with the pilot in Calton of Glasgow Life’s Live Well Community Referral programme, for those who need support accessing Glasgow life activities and services.
As part of that pilot, weekly Singing for Fun sessions were offered to participants and quickly became a local success story:
Singing for Fun continues to this day, now supported by seven artists. It has allowed participants to find their voice, meet new people and feel a sense of pride through public performance. Members have sung at GO LIVE! events during the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, the Calton Christmas Light Switch-on, and Glasgow 850 celebrations, to name just a few.
Header photo by Robin Mitchell