Glasgow Open House Arts Festival returns
DIY non-profit arts festival 'Glasgow Open House Arts Festival' (GOHAF) has returned after a 4-year break in programming!
Article Source: Glasgow Open House Arts Festival
Last Updated: 1 April 2021 13:24
The festival is hoping to bring desperately needed opportunities for joy and togetherness to the local community, as we recover from the devastating effects of the pandemic.
The artist-run organisation is now accepting expressions of interest from artists and organisations interested in getting involved in this year’s 4th and ‘socially distanced’ programme, themed ‘Artists in Isolation’. Artists and creative members of the public from all walks of life are invited to reflect on their experience of the pandemic, using alternative, domestic and public spaces to exhibit their art.
GOHAF Director Amalie Silvani-Jones commented: “We encourage artists, musicians, performers, schools, organisations and creative members of the public from all backgrounds to get excited about sharing art within social distancing restrictions. Imagine beautiful window displays in flats and houses across the city, a collaborative sculpture in a park, a drive-in-cinema, wall murals, postal zines, painted shop-shutters, online performances, online discussions, watch together and discuss online film screenings, doorstep performances or art taking over advertising spaces!”
This year’s theme ‘Artists in Isolation’ invites participants to reflect on their experience of the ongoing pandemic, during which creative communities have been hit hard by restrictions and financial hardship. Organisers want the festival to create space to explore the lived experiences of artists and the wider community during this difficult time. The festival will prioritise the bringing together of artists and arts organisations working within diverse communities, recognising and advocating for the essential role the arts play in nourishing our daily lives.
Glasgow Open House Arts Festival encourages artists to use alternative, domestic and public spaces to exhibit their art. By 'removing' art from conventional spaces, such as galleries and museums, and embedding it within the very fabric of the city the festival hopes to bring together and support the community to engage with the arts both as artists and audiences, where they feel most comfortable.
In order for the festival to build a tangibly alternative model for the sharing of art from galleries and museums, organisers will not be including any exhibitions or events that take place within a physical art gallery or museum building; rather encouraging participants to occupy spaces elsewhere within the heart of the community, or online. Guidelines and ideas of what kind of spaces are encouraged can be found on the new festival website.
Crowdfunder Campaign
GOHAF has been selected as 1 of 20 projects taking part in Creative Scotland’s ‘Crowd Match’ campaign on Crowdfunder. They will need Glasgow’s help and support to achieve their vision of a truly inclusive festival! The campaign is now live with an exciting selection of rewards available for supporters!
With £10,000 in donations, the organisation hopes to support participating artists from all backgrounds to be able to take part in the festival, pay fair wages to the festival coordinators and cover the running costs of the festival. Your support will allow the team to collaborate with and spotlight artists, organisations and groups already supporting diverse creative output in the city.
The festival team are currently operating on a voluntary basis and paying out of pocket for festival expenses, so they are really counting on your help and support to bring their vision for a truly inclusive festival to life!
Expect an exciting programme of live online events, showcasing local artists and musicians, over the 5 week period of the campaign!
“By supporting this crowdfunder, you’ll be allowing us to spotlight artists from under-represented communities and you’ll play a vital part in the continuation of everyone’s favourite DIY arts festival. Help us to achieve our vision of a truly inclusive festival!”
Sign up to support the festival at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/GOHAF-2021
Sponsored Links
Latest Glasgow News
MINISO is coming to Buchanan Street... get ready to explore!
Global lifestyle sensation MINISO is set to bring its signature blend of joy, creativity, and affordable design to Buchanan Street, with a brand-new store opening on 26th November!
READ MORE
Black Friday Savings at Buchanan Galleries
Buchanan Galleries in Glasgow is abuzz with Black Friday deals, offering shoppers incredible discounts across a wide range of products – from fashion and footwear to jewellery, beauty, and homeware.
READ MORE
The Maclean Brothers row onto Celtic Connections bill as new wave of shows announced
The Maclean Brothers are among a wave of exciting new names to join the world-renowned Celtic Connections bill, it has been announced.
READ MORE
BBC CBeebies starts the panto season at Glasgow cinemas
The CBeebies panto Cinderella is coming to the big screen in Glasgow from Friday 21st November.
READ MORE
The Pavilion Theatre is taking part in the largest Black Friday Theatre Sale in the UK
As part of Trafalgar Entertainment, customers can now access some of the best theatre ticket deals for shows at the Pavilion Theatre as well as unmissable productions in the West End.
READ MORE
BBC ALBA Hogmanay Ceilidh to broadcast live from Glasgow
BBC ALBA will bring together some of Gaelic music's biggest names as Cèilidh na Bliadhn' Ùire returns to Glasgow to celebrate Hogmanay and usher in 2026.
READ MORE
Cast Announced for Flora, a new musical coming to The Pavilion Theatre Glasgow
The full cast has been revealed for Flora which sees one of Scotland's most famous daughters, Flora MacDonald, take centre stage to tell her own tale!
READ MORE
Christmas in Edinburgh and Glasgow: Celebrate the festive season with Candlelight Concerts
Featuring classic Christmas carols, this live, multi-sensory musical experience will light up St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral and Merchants House and The Trades Hall for an unforgettable evening.
READ MORE
Innis & Gunn to open the biggest festive beer hall in Glasgow at Winter Wonderland on The Green
Glasgow is getting its largest-ever Christmas beer hall, and it’s all down to award-winning brewer Innis & Gunn.
READ MORE
Find a festive backdrop in Glasgow and the West
From frosty gardens to cosy tearooms, National Trust for Scotland places in Glasgow and the West are offering a host of winter experiences and special events this festive season.
READ MORE
Glaswegians invited to Panto Town as Glasgow 850 finishes with festive flourish
Glaswegians are being urged to embrace the unique spirit of the city's pantomimes with the launch of Get You in Panto Town!
READ MORE
Buchanan Galleries celebrates the season of giving with festive family fun
The magic of Christmas has arrived at Buchanan Galleries, with a heartwarming line-up of festive activities taking place throughout November and December.
READ MORE
Scottish Ballet creates a brand new wee version of the big ballet
Scottish Ballet's Wee Nutcracker is coming to Glasgow's Tramway this December. The beloved festive ballet, The Nutcracker, has been specially adapted for wee ones aged 5+ and their families!
READ MORE
The Wizard Wae The Big Bawz: New adult panto brings comedy to Scotland in January
January needn't be a drag as Scotland's brand-new adult panto, The Wizard Wae The Big Bawz, hits the road, arriving just when the country needs a burst of joy!
READ MORE
Matthew Kelly and George Costigan lead new production of Waiting for Godot at the Citz
Matthew Kelly and George Costigan star as Estragon and Vladimir in a new production of Waiting for Godot, co-produced with Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse and Octagon Theatre Bolton.
READ MORE
Hoolie in the Hydro opens doors to young Gaels for Glasgow 850
More than 1,300 Glasgow schoolchildren are being given the opportunity to access live music as part of a special tie-up between Hoolie in the Hydro and Glasgow 850.
READ MORE
ASN sessions to be held at Winter Wonderland Glasgow Green
Dedicated ASN sessions are to be hosted at Glasgow's Winter Wonderland at Glasgow Green to enable families in need of support to have a festive day out.
READ MORE
77th Glasgow (Disabled) Scouts awarded with highest honour given to volunteer led groups
The 77th Glasgow (Disabled) Scouts has been recognised with The King's Award for Voluntary Service 2025, the highest honour for volunteer-led groups in the UK.
READ MORE
Topgolf celebrating 25 years of fun with a week of deals and prizes
Topgolf's journey started in Watford at the turn of the millennium and has since grown into a global enterprise with more than 100 venues worldwide.
READ MORE
The Doddie Weir match ball delivery is voted Greatest Murrayfield Moment
Doddie Weir’s emotional match ball delivery at Murrayfield in 2017 has been voted the greatest moment in the stadium’s 100-year history, after thousands of fans took part in a nationwide poll.
READ MORE
Glasgow Fort unwraps festive celebrations
Christmas magic is set to return to Glasgow Fort on Thursday 20th November as the centre unveils its seasonal line-up!
READ MORE
Global fashion brand Stradivarius opens first Glasgow store at Silverburn
Scotland's leading retail and leisure destination, Silverburn, opens Glasgow's first-ever Stradivarius store, further elevating its fashion offering.
READ MORE
Boney M ft Maizie and Newton Faulkner join Fun For Life Fest lineup
Boney M featuring Maizie Williams are set to co-headline the Fun For Life Fest on Saturday 16 May 2026, with Newton Faulkner also joining the line up.
READ MORE
Trafalgar Entertainment becomes official sponsor of Box Office Radio
Global live entertainment company – Trafalgar Entertainment – has become the official sponsor of Box Office Radio.
READ MORE
New book launches in Busby by local author, Marissa McCudden
Debut author, Marissa McCudden, has launched her new book, 'There's Lots of Different Types of Clever' with illustrator, Michael Spy on Amazon.
READ MORE
Much loved classic Scottish play, The Steamie, is set to return to venues in 2026
The Steamie has been scrubbed up ahead of making a return to theatres across the country next year as part of an exciting new chapter in its long-standing story in the theatre landscape.
READ MORE
Medea to tour Scotland in 2026
Bard in the Botanics will be launching their 25th Anniversary year with a Scotland-wide tour of their award-winning version of Medea, by Kathy McKean (after Euripides).
READ MORE
The Ivy Buchanan Street unveils festive set menu for 2025
From traditional Turkey Ballotine to a tangy Tamarind Beetroot & Endive Salad the festive set menu brings the best of festive flavours, reimagined by The Ivy across two or three courses.
READ MORE
Glasgow will shine bright this Christmas with a new city centre lighting trail
Glasgow's Christmas lights are a much-loved tradition, and this year they will shine brighter than ever with a brand-new Christmas lighting trail set to illuminate the city centre from 20 November!
READ MORE
KOCHCHI expands to Glasgow, bringing Sri Lankan heat to the West End
The West End will welcome KOCHCHI, the award-winning Sri Lankan street food brand, as it opens its first standalone restaurant in the former The Hanoi Bike Shop on Ruthven Lane.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links