The Bank of Springburn is open for business!
The Bank of Springburn is open again for business, a pop-up arts hub for the community to relax in and enjoy throughout April with a programme of leading Glasgow based entertainment talent.
Article Source: National Theatre of Scotland
Last Updated: 17 March 2023 12:09
Image Credit: Kevin Gilday by Robin Currie
As part of National Theatre of Scotland’s Neighbourhood Project, award-winning poet and theatre-maker Kevin P Gilday will be taking up a residency in a former bank in Springburn Shopping Centre in April 2023. The Bank of Springburn is a community arts space, where everything is free, and the only transactions are powered by the people.
The cultural pop-up will bring people together acting as a hub for the community where they can enjoy a warm, welcoming space as well as hosting a range of creative workshops, drop-ins and live performances.
The Bank will host free poetry and writing workshops and other special events throughout the month of April including live performances every Saturday afternoon on 8, 15, 22 and 29 April with a host of Glaswegian/Scottish artists loaning their talents to provide free, exceptional local entertainment.
The Bank is also hosting a Poetry Take Away, where visitors can order a bespoke poem, written by Kevin P Gilday, about any subject personal to them, and collect it 30 minutes later.
The first Saturday afternoon offers a cabaret with performance poetry from the award-winning Annalise Broughton, comedy from rising star of Scottish stand-up Christopher Macarthur-Boyd and music from the impressive up and coming emcee Empress. (8 April)
The second Saturday promises a very special opportunity to view Karen Dunbar’s School of Rap, a new BBC Scotland documentary film, which sees the comic embark on a unique musical mission to help a group of five elderly women from North Glasgow unearth their inner rap star. The film will be introduced by Karen herself, followed by a Q and A. (15 April)
A musical line up is being served up on the third Saturday with headliners folk singer-songer writer Mima Merrow, and Hunter & McMustard, the popular duo who perform folk music with a social and global consciousness, supported by local acts from Springburn college. (22 April)
On the final Saturday Paul Sweeney MSP and Norry Wilson of Lost Glasgow are returning to the Bank, by popular demand, to give a talk with illuminating insights into the history of the area. (29 April).
There are opportunities also for local community groups and young people who will use the space for workshops and informal performances including Beatroute Arts, Springburn College, Springburn Academy and New Rhythms for Glasgow.
The Bank of Springburn has also been set up to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of this post-industrial working-class community. Stories and memories of the area from community members are welcomed and there will be an opportunity for these to be turned into a podcast during the residency.
Kevin P. Gilday is an award-winning poet, writer and performer from Glasgow. He is the founder of poetry performance collective The Scribbler's Union and was co-founder of much loved spoken word cabaret night Sonnet Youth. He is a National Theatre of Scotland Breakthrough Writer, a BBC Writersroom Scottish Voice and one of Scotland’s most celebrated contemporary poets.
Kevin Gilday said: “The Bank of Springburn is a project about connection. About opening up space in our community and celebrating what makes us unique. As a Springburn resident I wanted to have a space to connect with the amazing community I saw around me in our vibrant neighbourhood, but I also wanted to invite the world to us - to open up the doors to a part of the city that has been cut off and neglected for so long. This is an invitation to join us, to create with us, to discover the rich history of one of Glasgow's most important areas.
I am delighted to welcome a host of amazing artists into the space. Some are talented friends that I have watched grow in stature to become much loved members of Glasgow’s artistic community, others are new acts that I have discovered in the past year and desperately wanted to showcase. Every one of them will bring something special to the space. This is a diverse and exciting programme that wouldn’t be out of place in an esteemed city centre venue.”
Gilday is working alongside the National Theatre of Scotland’s creative engagement team, and the residency is part of the Neighbourhood Project series.
The Neighbourhood Project is a series of artistic residencies and projects working alongside communities close to the National Theatre of Scotland’s facility, Rockvilla, in the North of Glasgow. Since settling in the area, the Company has developed and been involved in several community facing projects and events involving specific groups, artists and local audiences including participation in the annual Canal festival, Glasgow Doors Open Day, Submarine Time Machine, Little Amal and Fly the Flag. The Neighbourhood Project offers opportunities for collaboration and partnerships and for National Theatre of Scotland to develop relationships in and around the area.
The Bank of Springburn will be open at Unit 29, Springburn Shopping Centre from 4 to 29 April 2023. The Bank is free to all for drop ins.
Saturday events on 8, 15, 22 and 29 April are bookable at nationaltheatrescotland.com
Full schedule can be found here >>
Sponsored Links
Latest Glasgow News
The Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow unveils exciting new programme for 2026
The Pavilion Theatre Glasgow is set to light up 2026 with a thrilling year of music, theatre and comedy.
READ MORE
Wingstop UKI opens its doors at Silverburn
Leading retail and leisure destination, Silverburn, has turned up the heat on its dining line-up with the official opening of Wingstop UKI, bringing even more flavour and choice to guests.
READ MORE
90s pop icon joins the cast of Mean Girls
Faye Tozer to star alongside Kiara Dario as Gretchen Wieners in the award-winning musical Mean Girls, coming to the King's Theatre in Glasgow from Monday 29th June!
READ MORE
DF Concerts & Events launches The DF Academy
DF Concerts launches the DF Academy to strengthen pathways between education and Scotland's live music & events industry.
READ MORE
Dr Gillian Shirreffs launches the 12 Days of Christmas with new book Elephant
Dr Gillian Shirreffs launches the 12 Days of Christmas with Beatson Cancer Charity this month.
READ MORE
Popular lifestyle brand Oliver Bonas opens at Silverburn
Silverburn, Scotland's leading retail and leisure destination, has welcomed much-loved independent fashion, jewellery and homewares retailer Oliver Bonas.
READ MORE
Win your way to the IRN BRU Carnival
The Duck Hunt is back bigger and better with over 150 ducks hidden across Glasgow and beyond!
READ MORE
New film on resistance to Home Office raid on Kenmure Street to be released next year
Scottish distributor Conic has acquired all UK and Ireland rights for Everybody to Kenmure Street, a new documentary about Glasgow's community resistance to a Home Office raid in 2021.
READ MORE
Sean Batty joins Glasgow businesses to champion choose local at Christmas cry
STV presenter visits Glasgow West End's Business Improvement District to highlight the vital role that local people can play in the the final festive push.
READ MORE
Everyman presents Nationwide preview screenings of Sentimental Value
See the highly anticipated new comedy drama before anyone else, with preview screenings at Everyman cinemas nationwide.
READ MORE
Edinburgh International Book Festival and Celtic Connections unveil major new partnership
Edinburgh International Book Festival and Celtic Connections unveil major new partnership bringing together Scotland's most celebrated writers and musicians!
READ MORE
Beatson Cancer Charity announces amazing total for Glasgow Santa Dash 2025
Beatson Cancer Charity is thrilled to announce that the Glasgow Santa Dash 2025 has raised more than £100,000 to support people affected by cancer across the west of Scotland.
READ MORE
University of Glasgow launches first Virtual Reality kiosk for Museums in the Metaverse
Imagine visiting a museum and being transported inside the glass cases, to virtually examine artefacts at astonishing proximity and from every possible angle. This is now reality.
READ MORE
Jock and the Beanstalk panto stars support Social Bite Festival of Kindness
Pavilion Panto stars headed to Social Bite's Festival of Kindness on Vinicombe Street to encourage Glaswegians to donate gifts and funds to support people experiencing homelessness this winter.
READ MORE
DF Concerts & Events celebrates a year of sustainable and inclusive events
DF Concerts & Events is celebrating the success of their sustainability initiatives delivered across their major summer events in 2025.
READ MORE
Full casting announced for Scottish premiere of Single White Female at the Theatre Royal Glasgow
Full casting has been announced as rehearsals begin for the Scottish premiere of Single White Female coming to the Theatre Royal Glasgow in June!
READ MORE
Celebrate the New Year with a sparkling experience at The Ivy Glasgow
With toasts to celebrate the new year breaking around the world, the experience is not to be missed!
READ MORE
A sweet partnership bringing locally produced, sustainable ice cream to the SEC in time for a packed winter events season
Equi’s Ice Cream, the award-winning Scottish, family-run ice cream maker, is announcing a major new partnership as the official ice cream supplier of the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) in Glasgow.
READ MORE
Teenage Cancer Trust units in Glasgow receive festive surprise from Aldi
Young people receiving cancer treatment in Glasgow have been treated to a surprise delivery of festive goodies from Aldi, helping them celebrate the holiday season away from home.
READ MORE
Step into Christmas at Dalmeny Park with special festive menus and afternoon teas this December
Dalmeny Park is pulling out all the stops to make this festive season truly magical, unveiling its 2025 festive dining menus and afternoon teas available until 23rd December.
READ MORE
Big Fat Bingo of The Year shows announced
Christmas is coming in fast, and hot on its heels is the surreal, off-kilter period between Xmas and NYE... Bongo's Bingo have got just the tonic to help see out the final days of 2025!
READ MORE
Scottish jazz talent in tune as award winners unveiled
The Scottish Jazz Awards 2025 celebrated the cream of the crop in the jazz scene on Sunday night, honouring outstanding artists and contributors at a memorable ceremony in Glasgow.
READ MORE
Anna Campbell Jones launches small batch Scottish botanical rum distilled in Glasgow
Interior designer, BBC Scotland's Home of the Year judge and entrepreneur Anna Campbell-Jones has released her first spirit.
READ MORE
Best burger in Scotland is now available in Glasgow for Christmas
Glasgow's Winter Wonderland gives visitors a taste of the festive season with foodie highlights including Scotland's best burger!
READ MORE
Award winning Rickshaw & Co launches its festive menu in Glasgow
Rickshaw & Co has launched its festive menu, bringing bold Indian and Bangladeshi flavours to December in Partick.
READ MORE
From plate to print: Kirsty Wark celebrates artistic legacy of great aunt
Glasgow Print Studio is thrilled to announce the release of a new limited-edition print by journalist, TV presenter and writer Kirsty Wark as part of their Call & Response series.
READ MORE
The festive knockout you can not miss at Oran Mor!
This December, Glasgow's Oran Mor premieres Morag Fullarton's new theatre production, 'It's a Wonderful Life... Mostly'.
READ MORE
10p pizzas from Civerinos as Deliveroo marks 10th Scottish anniversary
Raise a dram to a decade of Deliveroo: Civerinos and Deliveroo launch 10p pizzas to celebrate 10 years of feeding the people of Scotland.
READ MORE
Glasgow Fort serves up a slice of Home Alone magic with year long cheese pizza competition
Glasgow Fort has teamed up with Leopardo Pizza to launch a Home Alone-inspired competition, giving shoppers the chance to win a year's supply of Kevin McCallister’s favourite cheese pizza.
READ MORE
Lidl launching free gift wrapping stations across the UK
Lidl has unveiled its first-ever ‘Lidl Wrapped’ - a celebration of some of the nation's favourite buys, brought to life as limited-edition Christmas wrapping paper
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links