Art, Galleries, Museums

Duke of Wellington

Since being named European City of Culture in 1990, culture has become one of Glasgow's biggest industries. According to a recent report Glasgow now employs more people in the cultural sector than it ever did in the shipbuilding trade. Admission to Glasgow museums is free (unless stated otherwise).

The more famous places to culture-watch include the imposing red sandstone Kelvingrove Museum - just down the road from the Glasgow uni campus, the Burrell Collection (set in Pollok Country Park - complete with it's own herd of Highland Coos/Cows), the Hunterian (the oldest public museum in Scotland owned by the University) and the infamous GOMA (Gallery of Modern Art) - probably more well known for the traffic cone-wearing Duke of Wellington statue outside, than it is for it's focus on exciting, risk taking exhibitions. Newly opened in July 2011 is the Riverside Museum - it's the new transport museum and the striking geometric pistachio-coloured building is reason enough to visit.

These are all must-visit spots even if you only have a passing interest in art. You will see some of the world's most celebrated artists - past and present - they all have great cafes - and at the risk of repeating ourselves - they are all free! So, perfect as something (cheap) to do when it's forecast for rain all day but you have to get out of your pit! They are also great places to take the parents or impress friends when they come to visit.

Creative License

Aside from the obvious stuff, there is a thriving underground stream of creativity where the art, music and party scenes of Glasgow become pretty interchangeable.

One of Glasgow's larger contemporary art venues Tramway is housed in a unique converted tram terminus building in the Southside of the city. As well as visual art exhibitions from renowned artists, Tramway also hosts contemporary theatre, dance and performance art. Other converted warehouse-like spaces that are essential for any arty types include The Glue Factory and SWG3 - large, rugged spaces that still hold all their industrial charm and put on some of the most interesting exhibitions in the city. 

Trongate 103 is a newly opened arts centre and home to an exhaustive list of Glasgow based creative organisations including among others, Transmission Gallery, a real inclusive gallery set-up by some graduates who wanted to create more opportunities for emerging Glaswegian artists (you can even submit images of your own work onto their website). 

The CCA (Centre for Contemporary Arts) is another major arts space which recently housed a major exhibition for the British Art Show. Located on Sauchiehall St., the building holds a bookshop, bar, cafe and music venue.

Showtime

Spanning beautiful auditoriums, converted churches, sweaty basements, underground railway arches and the pavement itself, Glasgow's thriving theatre scene really is something to be proud of - with everything from camp-as-you-like panto to edgy, risk taking experimental performances/experiences.

Showtime is ever present at the Kings Theatre - where you'll find shows from London's West End - like Legally Blonde - and the un-missable Christmas panto (no, really, we mean it - you can't miss it, even if you want to).

The Theatre Royal is home to more classic productions - Scottish Opera is based here and it is the main venue for Scottish Ballet, The Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal National Theatre. 

The Citizens Theatre - the Citz - regularly puts on accessible entertaining plays often with a bent towards Glaswegian or Scottish social history. 

If you're looking for something a bit more stretching but recognisably theatre - the Tron is a good place to start. With productions from Scottish and international writers - the work will exercise your brain without throwing you into a world that you don't understand. The Arches is the place for that - where you will experience quirky, experimental immersive theatre and emerge with your preconceived notions of what theatre should be utterly shattered.

Festivals

Glasgow hosts a wealth of festivals throughout the year. The West End Fest is a 'must see' for any budding bohemian westendian / uni student - dress up and join in the Mardi Gras parade, enjoy street bands, street markets, street tours and street cinema - ooh la la! Spend three weeks absorbing concerts in the Kibble, arty stuff, gigs, and a spot of Shakespeare at the Botanics. But don't just stop at that - there's the jazz fest, book fest, Merchant City Fest, Celtic Connections, the river fest, comedy fest and a lot of stuff on around George Square (November to January) - from ice rinks to live stages, Christmas markets, Christmas lights, fireworks and the carnival - it's all there and some....!

Cinema and Film

Glasgow Film Theatre

The annual Glasgow Film Festival is probably the best showcase for what Glasgow has to offer. With tons of movies, talks and music from some of the world's leading movie makers and appreciators. It's an exciting time in the city, with all kinds of events filling the festival calendar...leaving you with little time for anything else.

Glasgow Film Theatre

Glasgow's centre for lovers of film, GFT, has been leading the way in specialised cinema for 36 years. From art house cinema to late night cult screenings and from classics back on the big screen to independent documentaries, there's something for everyone at GFT

For Film Nerds
 
If participation is your thing (and not just the rustle of a maltesers pack) there are many and varied film discussion groups & independent collectives in the city. Glasgore is a recently set up horror and cult film discussion group - come armed with horror themed paraphernalia and you will make friends for life.

If you've never acted, written, edited or even picked up a camera before, the Glasgow Uni group CUT Filmmakers will get you involved in all manner of film production - from handling a camera to writing scripts.

The Flicks and Pick & Mix

For those of us who just enjoy going to the cinema, watching a film with a bag of pick & mix and then dissecting it over nothing more challenging than pizza and a pint - there's Cineworld. This is the tallest cinema in Europe, an 18 screen behemoth that screens the latest blockbusters, as well as a number of European and Bollywood movies. It's easily recognisable from the city centre, spans enough floors to get lost in and charges the pre-requistite weekly rent for a bag of sweets and a vat of coke. 

The Grosvenor Cinema on Ashton Lane in the West End is a great place to watch some mainstream movies. It has the most comfortable seats and even some couches to sit in. It also has a great café and bar and regularly holds events which combine eating, drinking and film-watching - all right here in the West End.

 

Sport

Football is a huge part of the cultural fabric of the city. Glaswegians are some of the most passionate, loyal supporters you could ever wish to meet - and that doesn't just refer to those who follow Celtic or Rangers - the Old Firm. The real meat in your Glasgow fitba' sandwich comes in the form of the city's somewhat overshadowed underdogs: Partick Thistle. The Jags have a proud history as an affordable alternative to the duopoly at the top of the SLP - and are a safer bet should you ever be asked the question 'who do you support?'.

Sport is woven into Glasgow's daily culture - far more so than Edinburgh. There are several rugby clubs in the city and, believe it or not, it's the home of Scottish cricket which was first played on Glasgow Green in 1826. Slightly more believable is the ridiculous number of golf courses within easy reach of the city. It's also the only UK city to host events for both the Commonwealth and the Olympic Games and the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome is currently under construction. But if adrenaline is what you're looking for, there's access to some adventure sport or other around virtually every corner - ish.