2015 Programme Announced!
On Wednesday 5th August we, Glasgow Building Preservation Trust were delighted to launch the Doors Open Day programme 2015 alongside the Civic Room with the help of Mrs Fitzpatrick, a resident of High Street for 77 years! Gathering Doors Open Day participants, key stakeholders, funders and a few other stragglers, we launched the new Doors Open Day programme, the first ever childrens programme and the Civic Room. Mrs Fitzpatrick, a resident who has lived on High Street for 77 years helped cut the ribbon to launch the Civic Room that is located at the Former Linen Bank on 215 High Street.
Doors Open Day Hub at Civic Room
In true Glasgow Doors Open Day style a historic Landmark is being opened to the public which has been inaccessible for a number of years. This former Linen Bank, built in 1897 will now be opening as a non-profit gallery for public use for the next year and hopes to continue to restore the building at risk. The first event in 215 High Street’s exciting programme is to act as a hub for all you Doors Open Day goers. You will be able to access the building throughout the week of Doors Open Day (14th – 20th September), discover its history and find out more about how to engage with the City-wide festival. This important and stunning building represents the aims and objectives of Doors Open Day: to help the citizens of Glasgow access and learn about their built heritage whilst exploring ways to safeguard this for future generations.
Civic Room is a new non-profit gallery opening in August 2015 by director Sarah Strang and an advisory of progressive architects and consultants who are committed to exploring relationships between art and architecture in Glasgow, a city renowned for outstanding civic architecture and visual art. Over 2015 and 2016, Civic Room will participate in international festivals, Glasgow International (GI) and the Festival of Architecture, Scotland as well as solo shows by leading international artists, Amelia Pica (Born 1978, Argentina) and Alan Davies (1920 – 2014, Scotland) and open call exhibitions by Fine Art and Architecture graduates from Glasgow School of Art and University of Strathclyde. Next, in September and October 2015 Civic Room will also host The Molendinar Burn Project, a twelve-site, arts festival across the route of the Molendinar Burn, a hidden Glasgow river upon which 215 High Street is located.
2015 Glasgow Doors Open Day Programme
In addition to the opening of the Civic Room, 215 High Street, the event saw the launch of the 26th Glasgow Doors Open Day programme and the FIRST EVER Children’s programme! The brochure containing the details of 108 buildings (16 of which have NEVER been involved in the event before!), 53 walks & tours and 25 talks and special events all for FREE is now available. The festival that takes place between 14th – 20th September 2015 will also see an Industrial Heritage theme focusing on Glasgow’s Industrial heritage and the way it has shaped the city. New buildings involved in the event include: Dalmarnock Leather Works – still a thriving industry in Glasgow, visitors will be taken on a tour of the factory and will see the biggest leather warehouse in Europe; Saint Lukes – recently restored and converted church which will become a vibrant and innovative music, arts and community venue in the heart of the Barras and; Anniesland Court – this is the tallest listed building in Scotland and Glasgow’s only Category A listed tower block! The full programme of events is available to view here.
FIRST EVER Children’s Programme
2015 will also see the FIRST EVER Children’s Programme for the event! With the support of Heritage Lottery Fund and Glasgow Life, a children’s treasure trail map has been produced and picks the highlights of the 40 + children’s events taking place throughout Doors Open Day, all for FREE! One of the core events is the ‘Mazing Memory Museum a straw bale maze in situ at Riverside Museum, with a memory workshop at the centre. Activities will also include; creating your very own stained glass windows or puppet, designing an extension or posters, trying out curling and discovering a WW1 trench!
Whats everyone saying about Doors Open Day?
Ruth Morris, Events and Development Coordinator at Glasgow Building Preservation Trust, said:
“2015 is another exiting year for us. We are going to be located in 215 High Street for the week, we have lots of new buildings and events AND we have our very first children’s programme! We are so grateful of the support we are given by all of our funders, supporters, participants and volunteers and are confident that this year will be one of our best! The essence of Doors Open Day is to encourage as many people as possible to explore Glasgow, learn about the city and ultimately have pride in the City. With so many different types of buildings and events and our new Children’s programme there really is something for everyone and want to encourage as many people as possible to take advantage of the rare opportunity to engage with a completely free event!”
Gerry Grams said:
“Artists have always found Glasgow a city rich in possibilities. Its urban fabric is strong enough to sustain interventions, its citizens and communities strong enough to question ideas without feeling threatened. What better environment to create a room in the city where all of this can be discussed.”
Colin McLean, Head of HLF Scotland, said:
“ ’Mazing Memory Museum’ is a fine example of HLF’s Sharing Heritage programme that, thanks to National Lottery players, makes it possible to open up heritage to new audiences while delivering real benefits to the community.”
What are the key things I need to know?
Full Programme of Events
All information for the event is available here.
Paper Versions
Details of how visitors can get their hands on a paper version of both the Glasgow Doors Open Day programme and the Children’s programme are available here.
Booking
SOME events in the programme and children’s programme will require to be pre-booked. Pre-booking for these events will open on Wednesday 26th August at 10am. Details of how to book each event is displayed here.
