GLASGOW INTERNATIONAL OPENS TOMORROW Glasgow International , one of the UK’s largest and most influential festivals for the Press Release: 3 April 2014 visual arts launches its 6 th edition tomorrow; the first of three festivals to be curated by new Director Sarah McCrory. Featuring the work of over 150 artists from 24 countries, Glasgow International 2014 The full programme of events and takes over Glasgow’s best loved art galleries and museums, including Kelvingrove exhibitions can be found in the Festival Guide , published here or Gallery and Museum, Tramway and the Gallery of Modern Art, presenting 50 available at The Hub . exhibitions and 90 events across the city. www.glasgowinternational.org/festi In order to complement the institutional shows and celebrate the Year of Homecoming, val-2014/openings this year’s programme transforms and regenerates unusual or rundown sites and opens up usually closed spaces to the public, including Govanhill Baths swimming pool, an underground car park, a shopping centre, and the McLellan Galleries – the oldest art space in the city. More than 90% of the work is new or previously unseen in the UK with major new site- specific commissions covering a wide range of media and disciplines including installation, sculpture, performance, film, stand-up comedy, collage, ceramics, photography and painting. A series of workshops, talks, performances, films, and tours designed for all ages have been planned throughout the festival. A new media partnership with BBC Arts will present three one-off events at BBC Scotland Pacific Quay and the launch of ‘Art Screen’; a four day celebration of some of the finest arts documentaries from across the globe, taking place at the Glasgow Film Theatre and Centre for Contemporary Arts. Glasgow International has a legacy of producing some of the most exciting new Glasgow International contemporary art commissions, recognising emerging talent and tracing the careers of 4 April – 21 April 2014 artists over multiple editions. Using the backdrop of the city, the Festival aims to highlight artists whose practices engage in essential and critical contemporary art discourse. Glasgow International Trongate 103, Glasgow G1 5HD This year’s event will further showcase Glasgow as one of the world’s most important glasgowinternational.org centres for the production and display of contemporary visual art. TELEPHONE +44 (0)141 276 8384 [email protected] Sarah McCrory, Director, said: “I’m excited to welcome visitors to the sixth edition, and my first, Glasgow International festival. With this year’s programme I aimed to build on the festival’s reputation for showcasing the city’s influential art scene, while also bringing a strong presentation of international, leading and emerging contemporary artists to Glasgow for the first time. As well as taking over some of Glasgow’s well- loved galleries and museums, the festival opens up and transforms unusual spaces with new commissions, exhibitions and events. Designed to encourage a sense of exploration and discovery through contemporary art, the programme also celebrates the city itself.” Councillor Archie Graham, the Depute Leader of Glasgow City Council and Chair of Glasgow Life , said: “Glasgow is Scotland’s creative and cultural powerhouse and this has been boosted in recent years with our commitment to fostering a booming contemporary visual arts scene. The latest edition of Glasgow International, once again shows the quality and depth of artists who are attracted to the city, whether that’s to work and create here, or simply be part of a show which is of international significance.” Scott Taylor, Chief Executive of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, said: "2014 really is Glasgow's year and there's never been a better time to visit. The city is buzzing and we're firmly in the global spotlight as we prepare to welcome some of the biggest events in the world, from the Commonwealth Games to BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend and the MTV Europe Music Awards. "We're also home to a diverse and ever-growing programme of annual major events and festivals, and the Glasgow International Festival of Visual Art is firmly at the heart of our cultural calendar. Glasgow has a thriving contemporary visual arts scene and the city has earned its reputation as a leading exponent of today's global artistic talent. The calibre of the Glasgow International programme is a strong reflection of this – it’s innovative, exciting and reinforces why Glasgow is the envy of the visual arts world.” Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, said: “Scotland has a wide range of artists and curators who have contributed much to ensure the continued growth and development of the visual arts community. We are proud to have a dynamic and productive set of galleries, studios and workshops that mean we can compete on the world stage. “In the Glasgow International Festival of Visual Arts we have one of the most diverse and well-curated celebrations of contemporary art in Europe, which has a rich legacy of producing exciting new commissions, recognising emerging talent and tracing the careers of artists over its programmes. I am confident that the 2014 Festival will further showcase Glasgow as one of the world’s most important centres for the production and display of contemporary visual art, and proud that the Scottish Government supports the Festival through our agencies.” Paul Bush OBE, Chief Operating Officer for EventScotland said: “As proud supporters of the Glasgow International Festival of Visual Art since inception, we are delighted to continue our support for an event which continues to place Glasgow on the global stage for contemporary visual art. With over 50 exhibitions and events taking place across 19 days, this year’s festival is set to offer something for everyone whether it is experiencing one of the more unusual locations as part of the Year of Homecoming project or taking in one of the major commissions by a stellar line-up of both international and local artists. The festival always provides audiences with a thought provoking, visionary and a memorable experience, and this year’s festival will truly set the scene for forthcoming high profile art events including GENERATION and the 2015 Turner Prize - all of which continue to build Scotland’s reputation as a centre of excellence for visual arts.” Amanda Catto, Portfolio Manager for Visual Arts at Creative Scotland , said: "We can now look forward to a festival full of excitement, new discoveries, insight and enjoyment in Sarah McCrory’s first programme for Glasgow International. In 2014 the festival will once again provide a fresh perspective on the work of Scottish artists and bring work by internationally acclaimed talent to Scottish audiences.” Notes to Editors: Glasgow International • Taking place every other year, and combining some of the characteristics of a conventional arts ‘biennial’ with a more event-based experience, Glasgow International is a unique event in the international calendar with one of the most groundbreaking and dynamic presentations of contemporary visual arts practice. GI is a unique event that offers both globally recognised and emerging Glasgow-based artists across the spectrum of the city’s art scene a platform to show new work to both national and international audiences while also introducing the work of important international artists. Since its inception in 2005 the Festival has brought together the key organisations in Glasgow’s diverse artistic community, presenting unique events and special commissions rooted in the achievements of the local artistic community, while drawing on important international developments in contemporary art. Sarah McCrory has spent the last two years as curator of Frieze Foundation, a non-profit organization responsible for the curated program of Frieze Art Fair including Frieze Projects and Film. She played an instrumental role in Frieze Projects East, which involved the production of six new public art projects situated throughout the Olympic host boroughs of East London as part of the London 2012 Festival. Prior to joining the Frieze Foundation McCrory was co-curator of Studio Voltaire, London. About the Festival’s funders: (i) Glasgow Life is the charity which runs services and facilities on behalf of Glasgow City Council including museums and libraries, sports facilities and major events. We work in every area of the city with every community to improve lives through culture and sport. More than 17 million visits were recorded to the facilities that we run across the city last year and our portfolio included the Burrell Collection and the Riverside Museum, which was recently crowned European Museum of the Year and the ever popular Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. (ii) Creative Scotland is the national organisation that funds and supports the development of Scotland’s arts, screen and creative industries. Creative Scotland has four objectives: to develop and sustain a thriving environment for the arts, screen and creative industries; to support excellence in artistic and creative practice; to improve access to and participation in, arts and creative activity; and to deliver our services efficiently and effectively. In 2013/14 we will distribute over £100m in funding provided by the Scottish Government and the National Lottery. For further information on Creative Scotland please visit www.creativescotland.com. Follow us @creativescots and www.facebook.com/CreativeScotland (iii) Glasgow City Marketing Bureau (GCMB) is the official destination marketing organisation (DMO) for the city of Glasgow. As custodian of the PEOPLE MAKE GLASGOW brand, GCMB works with partners, stakeholders and businesses to position and promote Glasgow across national and international markets as one of Europe’s most vibrant, dynamic and diverse cities in which to live, work, study, invest and visit. For more information, visit: www.peoplemakeglasgow.com. (iv) EventScotland is the national events agency. EventScotland is working to make Scotland one of the world’s leading event destinations.