New space Trongate 103, bringing together some of the country’s most exciting arts organisations, is finally laying the foundations for its September launch. Glasgow Print Studio, Street Level Photoworks, Transmission, Glasgow Centre for Media Access, the Russian Cultural Centre, Glasgow Independent Studio and Project Room, Sharmanka and Project Ability all began the move into their new home this month.

The new centre for ‘arts and creativity’ will launch alongside the increasingly popular Merchant City Festival.

Funded by Glasgow City Council, The National Lottery through the Scottish Arts Council, Scottish Enterprise and The Merchant City Townscape Heritage Initiative, Trongate 103 allows the public to participate in, view and buy a wide variety of art.

Set within an existing six-storey Edwardian warehouse, the space will provide a home for galleries, workshops, artists’ studios and production spaces supporting the creation of art, including printmaking, photography, digital media, film, video, kinetic sculpture, painting and ceramics.

Councillor George Ryan, Executive Member for Development and Regeneration at Glasgow City Council, said of the move: ‘Trongate 103 is a unique project that will play a key role in ensuring Glasgow maintains its position as a global player in contemporary art. One of the many factors that make this a building unlike any other are the opportunities on offer to a huge number of people: artists, school and youth groups, community organisations and individuals with an interest in art.’

Malcolm Dickson, chair of the Trongate 103 Tenants’ Forum, added: ‘These organisations are an integral part of Scotland’s cultural scene and they serve a wide range of people. Over the years so many budding and established artists, filmmakers, musicians, creators and members of the public have passed through our doors and we have all seen the positive effects of those encounters.’

For more see www.trongate103.com