IT IS one year since a ‘hidden gem’ venue in Glasgow city centre opened its doors.
The Boardwalk, in the heart of the Merchant City, has been transformed into a hub for life-changing education projects and creative events.
Charity Impact Arts, which took over the venue last spring, has welcomed more than 22,000 visitors from Glasgow and beyond, and played host to around 250 organisations.
Many of Scotland’s leading arts companies have benefited from the space, including theatrical tenants Solar Bear and Birds of Paradise, dance companies S-MB and The Work Room and charities Playlist for Life and Inspiring Scotland.
The Boardwalk has also become “a vital and vibrant base” for some of the life-changing work of Impact Arts itself, explains chief executive Fiona Doring.
The charity is Scotland’s leading organisation using arts and creativity to help tackle social challenges.
Its work includes supporting older communities struggling with social isolation, improving the wellbeing and attainment of children via art therapy, and empowering teens and young adults through employability programmes such as the recent Creative Pathways project.
“The Boardwalk has been a fantastic opportunity for Impact Arts to move into Glasgow’s city centre, to a venue that supports the arts sector in Scotland through the provision of accessible and inclusive spaces,” says Fiona.
“The Boardwalk has a real social heart, and all those that visit comment on just how friendly and welcoming it is and has been over the last year.
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“The mix of people who use the studios creates a fantastic buzz and the range and volume of people who have accessed our studios and events over the year has been wonderful! It has become a hidden gem for the city, and we’re so excited to welcome more visitors to the space in the coming year and beyond.”
The purpose-built creative and accessible events venue boasts a 180-capacity theatre, seven studios and meeting rooms.
As a social enterprise, all money raised from hires, events and tenants at The Boardwalk directly benefits the work of Impact Arts, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.
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