New culture strategy for Glasgow sets out four key priorities

Glasgow City Council has launched its Culture Strategy 2024-2030 that outlines four intersecting priorities for the Scottish city – its cultural profile, cultural participation, creative skills and sustainability.

The strategy, which was co-created by Glasgow Life in partnership with Glasgow’s Culture Forum through engagement and consultation with the city’s cultural sector, also includes an action plan for years one and two to achieve these goals.

Activities planned for year one include cross-sector working in the development of a programme to mark Glasgow’s 850th anniversary; identifying a culture spokesperson from the sector; and mapping the city’s culture sector infrastructure.

In year two, there are plans to develop a climate and culture networking group and create proposals for repurposing of existing space for creative use.

Each priority identifies outcomes and three areas of focus:

• Glasgow’s Cultural Profile: a brilliant and diverse cultural offer valued by city leaders; a supported and better connected sector; and an international profile that is supported by city leaders.
• Cultural Participation: marginalised people are better represented as participants, artists and collaborators; spaces for culture are invested in and maintained; and recognition of culture and creation on wellbeing.
• Creative Skills: fairer participation in creative activity for children and young people; the retention of skills and talent in the city; pathways and development opportunities for diverse leadership of culture.
• Sustainability: cultural partnerships; increased investment in culture in the city; recognition that creativity and the cultural sector are a resource and inspiration for climate adaptation and mitigation.

“Culture makes a crucial contribution to Glasgow’s economy and draws visitors to the city from near and far,” said Bailie Annette Christie, the chair of Glasgow Life and Glasgow City Council Convenor for Culture, Sport and International Relations.

“Glasgow’s Culture Strategy 2024-30 will ensure culture and creativity continue to be valued and invested in. This strategy will help Glasgow to share its distinctive, gallus culture with the world and invite others to share theirs with the city.”

Glasgow’s Culture Forum, which was established in 2023 to represent the key cultural sectors in the city, will continue to be developed as part of the strategy – it will also be responsible for developing an action plan for years three and four of the strategy.

Anita Clark, director of dance organisation the Work Room and a member of the Culture Forum, said: “Culture has always played a significant part in Glasgow’s civic story, but recent years have been extremely tough, and so many of the city's artists and artists organisations are now in a very precarious position.

"The strategy is a starting point to galvanise deep commitment and collaborative working with artists and independent creative organisations, in partnership with the city council and Glasgow Life to secure access to culture for all of Glasgow's people.”