GLASGOW artists are being offered £12,000 to help people across the city unleash their creative talents.

A total of 23 artists are being sought by Glasgow Life, the council-linked charity responsible for culture.

The aim of the Creative Communities – Artists In Residence project is to give Glaswegians from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to become creative within their local area.

Glasgow Life has issued an open call to artists or arts organisations. Applicants must be based in Scotland and emerging artists, as well as highly experienced practitioners, are invited to apply. The programme is open to individuals and groups from a wide range of artistic disciplines.

The six-month residencies will each be backed by a £12,000 fee, plus support for materials.

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The programme was set up following a 2018 summit, when Glasgow’s council pledged to employ an artist in residence in every community. It kicked off last year, with a consultation that saw 23 artists and arts organisations each spending three months in one of Glasgow’s 23 wards.

They used craft, music, drama and a myriad of other techniques to engage with community groups and individuals. In the process, they generated conversations about what local people wanted from the programme.

In the South Side people shared local stories and knowledge through a community-based snakes and ladders game.

Elsewhere artists used film, storytelling and various other means to engage with communities.

Now that exercise is complete, Glasgow Life wants to go further by appointing 23 artists in residence, one in each council ward.

Each artist will spend six months working within a community, building on the responses and recommendations gathered during phase one to foster creative involvement.

The aim is to create meaningful artworks and activities that are in tune with local needs and which positively enhance the lives of people living in those communities.

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It’s expected that some of the works will reflect important moments in the city, from community gala days to major events such asCOP26, the 2020 United Nations Climate Change Conference, which takes place in Glasgow in November.

Councillor David McDonald, chairman of Glasgow Life said: “It is well known that involvement in the arts enriches people’s lives and can boost health and wellbeing.

“That’s why we at Glasgow Life are determined to extend opportunities for creative engagement to as many people as possible.

“Our Creative Communities programme is designed to do exactly that, and the achievements of local people and artists during the first phase were impressive. I’m really looking forward to watching that creative potential being extended during phase two.

“I have no doubt that the results will be surprising, and inspiring.”