Central Station » empty shops

Getting Up Project Video

genny — Sun, 26 Dec 2010 17:22:30 +0000

Here’s a link to the Inverness Old Town Art Project website with a newly uploaded video made about “Getting Up -Windows In the City” . This was a project i was involved in used empty shop units during December. It involves councillors explaining the benefits to local people, artists talking about their works etc. (Click on the link that says View video project)

http://tinyurl.com/ya67g5w

Project: Vacant Lot 02

genny — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 17:41:42 +0000

So then, a quick update for all of you out there about what’s going on re Vacant Lot.

About a month ago 30 or so members of Central Station gathered here at our offices in Glasgow to discuss Bill Millett and Tom Warren’s combined blog about the use of derelict and unused spaces. After a couple of hours of talking, a few very tangible ideas began to emerge around strategy and production of projects in unused spaces in Glasgow, Scotland and across the UK.

Since then a few of you have been posting links to other projects that are already happening and researching what’s already going on out there.

On Wednesday 24th a smaller group of creatives and producers with experience of making work in unused spaces will be meeting to try and thrash out the specifics and logistics of a plan that allows forward movement – the possibility of starting to talk to funding bodies, property developers, city councils and so on. We’ll be sharing the results of the session on here so everyone can peruse and comment.

Hopefully in the not so distant future we’ll hold a case-study orientated get together that everyone can come to, where people share their experiences of working in this sort of realm. A conference of sorts, somewhere to get the creative juices flowing.

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Image courtesy of Janie Nicoll

Art In Empty Spaces

genny — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 17:24:15 +0000

If you’ve not already seen this thought you guys might be interested

http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/about-us/investment-in-arts/action-recession/art-empty-spaces/

And, also here is the link to New Deal Of The Mind, also in England but relevant to what we discussed last night,

http://www.newdealofthemind.com/

Project: Vacant Lot

genny — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 17:05:43 +0000

Discussions were opened up from Bill Millett about creative uses for empty shop fronts.

This reminded me of this proposal for Glasgow. Anyone got any feedback on this process? – or interested in collaborating to take a project forward then get in touch or post a comment back.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7700418.stm

A motion by Bailie Dr Nina Baker, supported by Councillor Philip Braat, to provide short term public green space on vacant development sites in Glasgow was passed at today’s (30 October 2008) Glasgow City Council meeting.

The global financial situation has put a small number of developments in Glasgow on hold, and Bailie Baker’s motion proposed that the Council works with site and property owners, to lay grass on vacant ground to provide short term public green space on the sites until development conditions improve.Bailie Baker said: “Although there is a substantial amount of new development activity underway in the city, it is recognised that the current financial downturn will put a number of planned projects on temporary hold. This is regrettable, but entirely understandable given current market conditions. Some developments will be delayed, undeveloped sites will be fenced off and buildings awaiting redevelopment lie empty until market conditions improve. In the meantime, it is important that Glasgow presents a good environment to residents, visitors and potential investors.”The Council’s City Plan 2 encourages the use of vacant and derelict land as temporary greenspace. I am delighted that the Council has resolved to work with site and property owners to temporarily landscape vacant sites to create simple and well-maintained grassed areas that will be open to the public, and also to use empty buildings’ windows for displays of Glasgow’s commercial, innovation, art and design capabilities.”Councillor Philip Braat, one of Bailie Baker’s co-councillors in the Anderston / City multi-member ward, supported the motion at the Council meeting. This was agreed to be a practical workable solution and a number of potential sites in the city have been identified.Councillor Philip Braat said: “While Glasgow is well-placed to resist the worst of the global credit situation, it must be recognised that nowhere will be immune to its effects. This motion will help improve our city environment and will also encourage empty buildings to make suitable window space available to our universities and colleges to display student work and research projects. We should be clear that these green spaces will be short term in nature, and will be redeveloped as market conditions improve.”