Over the past few days there have been headlines in local news sources regarding the premises of what will likely now be known as the former CCA – Centre for Contemporary Arts in Glasgow. The clue is in the name for what the CCA was about. It was a multi-venue ARTS space. A music venue and exhibition space for contemporary arts. There was always something happening there and it was a great space. Unfortunately, a blend of under-funding, bad management and countless disruptive protests led to its permanent closure at the start of 2026.
The reports coming in have spoken of a consortium (of sorts), named ScotsRock, taking over the space and turning it into a museum for Scottish music. A number of ‘big’ names are behind this proposal, seemingly, including one Herr Kerr, as well as Midge Ure, Lulu and others. No surprises Herr Kerr’s support is there when you find that the likes of Billy Sloan and Ronnie Gurr are also throwing considerable weight behind a Scottish ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame’, with Gurr being touted as its ‘Senior Curator’.
Although largely looking like it has the support of many – and it has certainly generated enough media interest with Gurr being interviewed on radio and television regarding the proposal – there are a number of dissenting voices. One look at the comments section of Facebook from local clickbait churnalistic ‘media’ sources and you can see that the proposal is no fait accompli – at least not yet!
One comment such as the brief, “self adulation?”, is one such that I feel warrants elaboration. So, what I personally glean from this comment is somewhat how I feel about the proposal. On the surface, it looks great. As an example, the Rip It Up exhibition by the National Museum of Scotland in 2018 was a successful exhibition. A permanent museum would be a great thing, potentially, but with the big names that are behind it and therefore will no doubt feature in the museum/hall of fame desiring it, it does smack somewhat of a self-congratulatory show piece. Will it REALLY say what it should? Or is it just another blatant piece of pulling up the ladder behind themselves?
When you have the likes of BBC Radio Scotland coming under recent fire for their staff turn-arounds and the cutting of vital airplay for new and emerging local talent, then is this ‘Hall of Fame’ not just adding another layer to this? When a man like Jim Kerr takes pride in Simple Minds (as he sees it) not being ‘a heritage act’ or a museum piece, why does he in the same breath want to endorse something akin to nostalgic, self-congratulatory, back-slapping? Where is the investment in the future? Why not take ownership of the CCA but leave it as it is? Why turn one of the places you started out in into the very ‘museum piece’ you deplore?
The CCA has a wonderful concert space. A place where I would feel the history being in there! Knowing that the likes of Simple Minds, Orange Juice and others had played in the same space in the past gave me much more a sense of ‘pride’ than walking around it will, looking at a bunch of memorabilia! Is that REALLY how you want your legacy to play out?
I may sound like I’m being poo-poopy on the idea of a permanent museum/hall of fame/nostalgic weren’t-we-great-back-then-but-no-one-is-gonna-touch-us memorabilia space, or whatever the hell you want to call it – but I’m not. I just don’t think the CCA is the right space for it.
The arts are DYING! If these people care, if they REALLY CARE, they’d invest in re-opening it for the space it should be. Not as some misty-eyed, past-glories, display cabinet.
Will it be a FREE space? How much will it be to view the displays?
As an example of what is happening in the arts in Glasgow, the last time I went to a paid exhibition at the Kelvingrove was the Linda McCartney photographic exhibition. It was £7 for an adult ticket. This year there is a Barbie exhibition (on currently) and the adult ticket price purchased online (with added booking fee and gift aid) is £19.71! What happened to affordability in the arts for Glaswegians? Even if you purchase a ticket on the day at the Kelvingrove and don’t add gift aid, it is £16. That isn’t so bad, I guess but holy moly! Students, the over 65s and disabled people only get a £1 discount on their ticket price. Bloody hell!
One can only assume that the ‘hall of back-slappers’ will be a premium ticket event – much like the music gigs these people put on. Sorry, but that’s not for me. I will continue to give my money to those who need the helping hand and not line the pockets of those already with more wealth than they genuinely seem to know what to do with.
On the other hand, if it is free, or at least NOT a premium price, if it aspires to help the up-and-coming. If it espouses to keep other grassroots music and arts venues afloat. If it puts that money back into ensuring the future, then, maybe.
I saw a suggestion that The Garage could be the place for it rather than the CCA. Why not? I tell you what, there’s a place down the end of Saracen Street lying abandoned. It’s a big space and has plenty of parking. Of course not, though! Why would anyone want to put something like that near Possilpark? It might give ‘citizen vigilante’ something else to concentrate on rather than trying to turn Glasgow into ‘Little England’ with its growing far right rhetoric.
Sadly, I feel the dissenting voices (much as I am seeing them and hearing their valid arguments) are pissing in the wind. ScotsRock will get its wish and the CCA will no doubt become a Scottish rock music museum – prime real estate being a relatively short walk from there to the Kelvingrove. “Hey, if you’re visiting the Kelvingrove, come to us just down the road.” I can see it now. It’s inevitably doomed to succeed.
