A NEW pilot scheme is set to be launched for legal graffiti walls in Glasgow.
Two council-owned properties have been identified for use during the trial, which will last six months.
Councillors say they hope the legal walls will provide an outlet for street artists whilst encouraging residents and businesses to explore the possibility of developing legal graffiti walls in other areas of the city.
READ MORE: Labour U-turn on North Lanarkshire leisure centre cuts
Councillor Ruari Kelly, city convenor for neighbourhood services and assets, said the introduction of legal graffiti walls had the potential to support local artists whilst also creating a more positive city environment.
Kelly said: “Glasgow has a well-established reputation for street art and it’s a culture that frequently adds colour and vibrancy to our public spaces.”
In a report to the council’s Environment and Liveable Neighbourhoods City Policy Committee, two potential legal grafitti sites were identified for the trial.
The sites, both owned by Glasgow City Council, are Concert Hall car park (north side) and Custom House Quay in Clydeside.
The trial is set to be led by two community arts organisations, and will also involve a working group comprising of the council, Glasgow Life, community art groups, Colourways and SWG3.
READ MORE: Culture workers slam Creative Scotland funding cut at Holyrood protest
The report outlines that the council’s graffiti removal service targets the removal of sectarian, homophobic, offensive, racist and explicit graffiti.
It also acknowledges the recent success of the council’s city centre mural trail (see below) and hopes that a managed approach to street art can help revitalise urban spaces.
Kelly continued: “Graffiti art versus vandalism is a subjective debate but it remains the case that offensive, bigoted graffiti will not be tolerated.
“We will be monitoring closely the impact of the pilot, including how this influences the number of complaints we receive in relation to graffiti.
“But with the pilot we are hoping to tap into the creativity of street artists in a way that enhances and improves our city’s environment.
“If the pilot is successful, it could see street artists making an important contribution to communities throughout the city.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel