Project Ability
Trongate Studio's tenth anniversary
Background
Ten years on
Christmas cards
Find out more
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Project Ability grew out of a year-long project held in Glasgow, in 1981, to mark the International Year of Disabled People. It was registered as a company limited by guarantee with charitable status in 1984.
In 1994, Project Ability founded a new arts initiative called the Trongate studios adjacent to the Centre for Developmental Arts, to provide long term studio space for people with mental health needs. |
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The Trongate Studios is a Glasgow-based visual arts facility for people with mental health problems. When the Studios first opened, it was an empty shell. It now houses well-equipped areas for woodworking, ceramics, printmaking, photography and glasswork as well as a large central open plan area that is divided into individual workspaces. |
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Ten years ago, the Studios first opened its doors to a group of eight artists. This number has now grown tenfold. The artists come from a variety of backgrounds; some are art school graduates whilst others have had no formal training in art, but they all have an urge to explore their creativity in a safe and understanding environment. Many artists have passed through the doors using the Studios as a stepping-stone towards further activity within the arts. |
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There is now a waiting list of over 100 people for access to this unique environment. There is a weekly programme of workshops to give those waiting on a place the opportunity to use the facilities to create, experiment and socialise with other creative people.
There are two full-time staff, both trained artists. The Co-ordinator and an Arts Worker provide day-to-day support to the artists and curate exhibitions both for the in-house gallery and in other spaces. Occasional visits to galleries, and other places of interest, and meetings with other arts groups to work on collaborative projects form part of the Studios programme.
As well as the day-to-day running of the Studios, staff and studio artists are also involved in outreach programmes in partnership with Greater Glasgow Primary Care Trust. These city-wide workshops take many forms and are designed to suit each individual group of participants. They offer an opportunity to hospital in-patients and out-patients within the wider community to take part in the arts either in their hospital ward, adult resource centre or in the Studios.
In a few years time the Trongate Studios will be moving to new premises in King Street as part of a dynamic new arts redevelopment. At the moment this is still in the planning stages, but they are looking forward to working in a custom designed area, amongst other arts organisations based in the Merchant City.
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Project Ability had original Christmas cards for 2004 on sale (see one design on the right). Another design, a stained glass angel, was displayed on our homepage over the festive season.
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Read about Basharat Khan and Sadia Gul Ibrahim, artists supported by the National Lottery through the Scottish Arts Council to undertake traineeships at Project Ability. Visit our Visual arts and Crafts pages for more on these areas.
Contact Project Ability direct
18 Albion Street, Glasgow, G1 1LH
t: 0141 552 2822
e: info@project-ability.co.uk
w: www.project-ability.co.uk | |