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About The Common Guild

The Common Guild is a visual arts organisation based in Glasgow, with a varied public programme of exhibitions, projects and events that take place in different locations. We are committed to presenting artists’ work in interesting and engaging ways and aim to create world-class contemporary art experiences and discussions.

With a focus on accessibility, equality, and supporting artists, we are a registered charity, supported by Creative Scotland and through a range of grants and donations.

 

 

 

Our Programme

We work closely with artists to realise ambitious new works in different formats and for diverse places, supported by talks and commissioned writing.

Our programme has included the commissioning of major projects by leading artists, often taking place in distinctive, specially selected locations. These have included Sharon Hayes’ ‘Ricerche’ project, with 3 works shown together for the first time, in a Victorian school building (2021); ‘In the open’ as series of 12 audio works produced during 2020-21; Janice Kerbel’s ‘SINK’ – a synchronised swimming routine for 24 women, at the Western Baths Club, Glasgow in 2018; a play by Simon Starling in collaboration with theatre director Graham Eatough, ‘At Twilight’, performed in the grounds of Holmwood House, Glasgow (2016) and Phil Collins’s feature-length film work ‘Tomorrow is Always Too Long’ presented in a one-off, outdoor art event in Queen’s Park in July 2014. In 2013 The Common Guild curated Scotland + Venice, the exhibition for the 55th International Art Exhibition, the Venice Biennale, with artists Corin Sworn, Duncan Campbell and Hayley Tompkins.

Alongside our programme of projects and events, between 2008 and 2018 our exhibition programme at 21 Woodlands Terrace, a grand Victorian townhouse overlooking Kelvingrove Park, included solo shows by some of the leading artists of our time, including Roni Horn, Tacita Dean, Wolfgang Tillmans, Carol Bove, Roman Ondák and Akram Zaatari. Publications connected with some of these exhibitions are available from our online shop, as are free-to-download Commentaries on all of the exhibitions.

From 2008 until 2013, The Common Guild also worked in partnership with Glasgow’s Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) on the ‘Art Fund International’ scheme, building a new collection of international contemporary work for the city, which included works by Emily Jacir, Roni Horn, Lothar Baumgarten, Fiona Tan, Peter Hujar, Omar Fast and Barabra Kruger, among others, many of which are regularly on display at GoMA. 

 
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Visit

Our new temporary space is in Glasgow city centre at 60 York Street (also known as the Capella builidng at Atlantic Quay).

Situated on the seventh floor, the space has an expansive view overlooking the River Clyde and beyond. The space is fully accessible with lift access to the seventh floor. 

Access to The Common Guild's library, including our latest Room for Reading selections will also resume.

Further details and opening hours can be found here.

 

Access

We are committed to using fully accessible venues wherever possible and develop bespoke solutions for each project or event. This includes the provision of subtitles, captions or transcripts to accompany film or video works and large print guides. Our talks are audio recorded and made available online on our website and Soundcloud where appropriate.

For any questions about access, please contact: info@thecommonguild.org.uk in advance of a visit.

 
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Ticketing

We aim to keep access to exhibitions free and ticket prices to a minimum, with any proceeds helping to support programme costs. Booking is generally free, with those who are able to pay encouraged to make a donation at the point of booking. Booking in advance is important as it helps us plan for our visitors, which is especially important when there is limited seating.

 

 

Policy and working practices

At Common Guild we are committed to constantly improving, and to full transparency in our working practices. Please have a look at some of our mission statements and working policies below.

  • Annual Diversity Report 2023

    As part of our on-going commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and the development of an anti-racist action plan in 2020, we have committed to publishing an Annual Diversity Report. This comprises our board, staff and all those involved in our programme.

    Our fourth annual report, available here, includes data from 2020-21, and 2021-22 for reference, alongside the most recent year’s figures.

    View Report

  • Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion Policy

    We are committed to promoting equality of opportunity, recognising and valuing diversity and being an inclusive organisation. We aim to ensure that all employees, potential employees, artists, speakers, and visitors to the artistic programme are treated equitably and as individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or parental status, race, religion and belief, sex or sexual orientation.

    Read More

  • Anti-racism Statement / October 2020

    Since our initial statement on anti-racism in July, we have been working on the development of a dedicated and sustainable action plan as an integral part of our existing commitment to promoting equality of opportunity, recognising and valuing diversity and being an inclusive organisation.

    Read More

  • Anti-racism Statement / July 2020

    As individuals and as an organisation, we recognise the injustices caused by structural racism and anti-Blackness, and the pressing need for change across society. This includes change within the arts sector in which we operate and our own practices.

    Read More

  • Environmental Policy

    The Common Guild is committed to environmentally-responsible working across all of our operations. We aim to minimise the environmental impact of our work, to promote green awareness and initiatives, and to hold environmental responsibility at the heart of the organisation.

    Read More

  • Complaints Procedure

    Advice for members of the public on how to make a complaint about anything they have encountered through our work.

    Read More

  • Privacy Policy

    This privacy notice explains how and why we collect, manage, protect and use personal data.

    Read More

 

Staff

Katrina Brown, Director
Elke Finkenauer, Finance Manager
Jonny Lyons, Gallery Manager
Myriam Mouflih, Programme Assistant
Chloe Reith, Curator

Board

Lucy Askew
Adam Benmakhlouf‏
Kate Bennett
Jack Breckenridge
Graham Fagen
Gerry Grams

Credentials

The Common Guild is an
accredited Living Wage employer

We are a member of
Creative Carbon Scotland's
Green Arts Initiative