We are not waiting for things to go back to the way they were or for more money to be found for culture. We are finding our own ways and solutions, because at the hardest of times for people working in the arts, Outer Spaces is offering an alternative to what was before.

We will keep putting spaces into the hands of artists for free. We know artists need time and space. If artists don’t have to find additional employment to pay for a studio they will have more time to spend there, making the art they want to make. Being artists. As these buildings find new uses or are earmarked for development, we are not standing still. For those in our network, we will keep replacing the spaces that have gone, and we will find more spaces for artists wanting to join.

We will continue to create new opportunities, offering more than space. New fellowships, bursaries and new commissioning is already happening and more opportunities are coming soon. We are developing new partnerships because we know we are better when we’re not alone. We are supporting the art creators, curators and producers because we believe in the importance of contemporary art always, but more so in these shifting times.

More programming has an effect on us all. More space for culture, more shows to see. Artists maturing and developing their practice. Vibrant places and creative communities emerging in places where there was none. New collaborations and new works enriching Scotland’s culture. Ensuring a future for our network, occupying spaces here and now.

Artists tell us how our spaces are making a difference to them, in more ways than we'd ever anticipated. We look forward to sharing some of these stories and experiences from our network over the coming months and years.

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