Outer Spaces was set up in Scotland in 2021 in response to the impact of the pandemic on artists’ livelihoods, and the lack of affordable studios. There was a gap in provision, and the rapidly increasing demand was not being met by any existing structure.
Artists were looking for spaces, communities of other artists and opportunities – and the vacant commercial properties left empty by changes in shopping habits and home working could be utilised while new uses were being found.
We were excited by the potential for activating empty spaces with new artist-led approaches. We wanted to be responsive to the needs of artists, adapting the way we worked as we grew our impact.
We wanted to be responsive to the needs of artists, adapting the way we worked as we grew our impact and there is now an established community of over 800 resident artists occupying our spaces in Scotland. They are creating new work, networking and finding community, making exhibitions and holding events and when the time comes for us to vacate, they are being supported into new spaces so they can keep on doing all these things.
As well as contributing to regeneration strategies, raising funding and forming new collaborations, we are creating professional development opportunities for artists, offering them a whole lot more than just a space.
In Aberdeen, we are launching new commissions in an exhibition of work by socially engaged artists Lauren McLaughlin, Maria Muruaga and Kirsty Russell. The project was led by the artists working with their communities, and the only required outcome was a way to share the commissions with the public. Repurposing a redundant showroom as a workshop and gallery gives the work a platform and visibility from the street.
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In a partnership with Sculpture Placement Group, we are providing a space to bring work by artists such as Mick Peter and Kenny Hunter out of storage and displaying it in the windows of vacant shop units, creating more temporary exhibitions open to passing audiences who may never set foot in a traditional gallery. Alongside, artists and collectives are developing their practices in studio and project spaces where the installation not only animates the window, but also brings a fresh perspective to the artist’s place of production, and a new context to the work.
In Glasgow, we will soon be presenting a series of commissions where we have invited artists to make new work for a former banking hall and respond to its symbolic power. This rare opportunity forms part of our flexible and responsive support for the ambitions of artists already in our network and those who are wanting to join.
Our model reflects the energy within the sector, as it navigates the cost-of-living crisis, with Outer Spaces providing strategic leadership for artists working in Scotland’s empty and transitional spaces, providing strategic leadership for artists working in Scotland’s empty and transitional spaces.
Shân Edwards is the director of Outer Spaces
