noun. the distance from other people or things that a person needs in order to remain comfortable; the opportunity to assert or experience one's identity or needs freely; the region beyond the earth's atmosphere or beyond the solar system
Artists need time, money and space to create.
We can give you two out of three, and that's pretty good going.
We secured the _and friends Glasgow city centre space thanks to the work done by Outer Spaces to transform disused offices and commercial properties into studios for artists. Our home on Stockwell Street has a large work room + a small private office, a kitchenette, step-free access and a lift. We also have 24 hour security, seven days a week.
We currently have 36 chairs - a perfect audience size for small-scale workshops, talks, panels and rehearsed readings.
Thanks to the enormous generosity of our community, the space is furnished for co-working + meetings, a kettle, a fridge, a small library, extension leads and a tuned upright piano. We’re open to usage being flexible and accommodating to your needs.
We can also offer you our time. See our STUDIO + Skills Exchange pages for more information.
We don’t want your money.
Instead, we would ask you contribute to our stock of essential communal items such as loo roll, cleaning supplies, sanitary products and tea + coffee in exchange for using our space. When you post about your work, we'd also ask you credit us on social media.
We would also invite you to donate your time, either on a skills exchange basis (leading a workshop in the space as part of our artistic development programme, for example) or in exchange for an hour of cleaning and housekeeping.
We don’t charge set fees for use of the space (and never will). But if your project is funded, we would invite you to consider a financial donation to _and friends to support our work.
We would also invite you to consider what a free rehearsal space could mean to the budget of your project.
If you saved money on rehearsal room fees, could your company or organisation divest that saved budget into artists and creatives? Could you afford to hire an assistant or associate director, or even fund additional, smaller projects or developments?
ACCESS - Our space has step-free access but we do not have the necessary equipment for step-free evacuation in the event of an emergency. Because of the limits on our budget and time, we are unable to offer our space as a fully accessible venue at this time. Knowing how difficult it is to find an accessible and affordable space in Glasgow, we are so sorry this is the case right now. Bear with us, we’re working on it.
BOOKING IN ADVANCE - Our space currently books around a month in advance, so please get in touch in good time.
NOISE RESTRICTIONS - Our space is located on the first floor of a busy office building and our neighbours work usual business hours Monday to Friday. With this in mind, we can’t accommodate rehearsals involving amplified vocals and instruments during these hours. We can, however, book louder rehearsals after 6pm weekdays and on weekends.
ACTIVITY RESTRICTIONS - Outer Spaces does not permit alcohol, the use of naked flames in the space, the exchange of money on the premises (cash or card), or political meetings in their spaces. We respect the terms of our agreement and we expect all guests and collaborators working in our space to do the same. If you’d like further clarity on these restrictions, please do get in touch.
INSURANCE - We have an Employers’ Liability Insurance policy which covers activity in the space, though having your own PLI is useful. Let us know when you request to book.
COSTS - Our space is free to use. Supplies of cleaning products, toilet roll, tea, coffee, books and stationery are donated by artists in lieu of payment and we appreciate donations. You can also donate to our space, which goes towards paying our team for cleaning and admin.