Outer Spaces

About

Outer Spaces is a contemporary visual arts organisation and charity established in 2021. We support a network of over 1000 artists and produce a free public programme of commissions, exhibitions and events.

Kenny Hunter, 'Kontrapunkt - Counterpoint'
Kenny Hunter, 'Kontrapunkt - Counterpoint'
Outer Spaces, Trongate, Glasgow. Photo credit, Neil Hanna
Sooun Kim,  'Resilient Chandelier', Outer Spaces Bank Commission 2025
Launch night, Sooun Kim, 'Resilient Chandelier', Outer Spaces Bank Commission 2025
Photo credit, Kat Gollock
Outer Spaces Bank Commission 2025. Photo credit, Sally Jubb
Jamie Fitzpatrick, 'Crème Fraiche Amygdala Hummmm' (detail), Outer Spaces Bank Commission 2025. Photo credit, Sally Jubb
'Mother Clyde', Greer Pester, Outer Spaces Bank Commission 2025
Greer Pester, 'Mother Clyde' (detail), Outer Spaces Bank Commission 2025
Photo credit, Sally Jubb
Frances Burnett-Stuart, Kooperator Space, Outer Spaces, Aberdeen
Frances Burnett-Stuart, Kooperator Space, Doors Open Days 2024, Outer Spaces, Aberdeen
Photo credit, Grant Anderson

We lease vacant properties from commercial landlords in 12 local authority areas in Scotland on a temporary basis. These properties provide us with the space to programme curatorial projects often in collaboration with other arts organisations and partners. Our spaces are made available for artists, art collectives and organisations to use free of charge.


We focus on properties in communities where there is a lack of affordable studio space, supporting artists in locations close to where they live or studied, and placing an emphasis on those who face inequalities in access to the art world because of economic, social or geographic barriers.


Our work removes the barrier of studio rental costs that often prevent artists and recent graduates from practicing and progressing their careers. For over 70% of the artists in our network, their space with us is their first studio, with 100% of this group citing affordability as the primary reason for not having had one before. Our spaces offer a unique environment for professional development, artistic research, studio practice and collaboration. Our programming explores ideas with artists in our network and platforms a range of critically engaged practices.

Staff

Shân Edwards, Director and CEO

Sarah-Manning Shaw, Deputy Director

Paul Thomson, Business Development Director

Tiffany Boyle, Head of Programme

Meg James, Spaces Manager

Lois Green, Spaces Manager, Glasgow & West

Samm Anga, Spaces Coordinator, Glasgow & West

Imogen Lee Allen, Spaces Coordinator

Khadea Santi, Communities Coordinator

Helen Deevy, Communications Manager

Edita Lukaskova, Finance Manager


Mike Benson, Trustee                                                 Jacqui Burke, Trustee                                                          Murray Steele, Trustee