LEGAL graffiti walls are to be trialled in Glasgow at two council-owned properties in the city centre.
Glasgow City Council said it is hoped the legal graffiti walls – at Custom House Quay and Concert Square car park – will provide an outlet for street artists, whilst also eventually encouraging residents, businesses, and organisations to explore the possibility of developing legal graffiti walls in other areas of the city.
The move follows the success of the Glasgow city centre mural trail, with it hoped that a managed approach to street art can help revitalise urban spaces and create visually appealing areas for residents and visitors.
Councillor Ruairi Kelly, city convener for neighbourhood services and assets at Glasgow City Council, 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. 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.”
As part of the six-month pilot programme, a working group is to be established that includes representation from the council, Glasgow Life, and community art groups, Colourways and SWG3. The working group will develop it’s own terms of reference, which will guide how the pilot programme operates in practice.
Glasgow City Council said that, during the pilot, the lead organisation will be responsible for maintaining the space they have been allocated and will make any decisions in relation to the art on display. Lead organisations will also a responsibility for reporting graffiti outwith the designated space.
