A Glasgow arts venue is to close in December as it navigates 'unprecedented' financial uncertainty. 

The Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA) said challenges caused by the pandemic and fires at the Glasgow School of Art had taken their toll on the business and in recent weeks it had learned that its financial position "is no longer viable".

The CCA venue on Sauchiehall Street, which was originally set up as the Third Eye Centre, is home to a number of cultural tenants.

It will be closed from December to March 2025 "to focus on restructuring and ensuring financial recovery".

The venue said it would be communicating with everyone directly affected by the closure.

A spokeswoman said: "We are facing a period of significant financial uncertainty, and we’ve been working hard to plan for the future with a focus on securing CCA’s long-term stability.

"We are actively reimagining how we can continue our community initiatives during our short closure, and we are exploring the possibility of keeping our in-house bar open.

"Our efforts are aimed at reopening in the spring with plans in place that will carry us into the years to come.

"We will continue to operate as normal until the temporary closure."

"If you’re wondering how you can help us during this time, there are several ways: consider donating, extending your patience and encouragement, or simply stopping by Third Eye Bar for a drink – every visit directly contributes to our creative programme and the upkeep of our building.

"Thank you for standing with us through this challenging period."

Glasgow City Council has been working with its arms length organisation Glasgow Life to put in place appropriate support to "secure a sustainable future for what is one of the city's valued cultural assets."

This has included the council agreeing a loan to the CCA, to allow it time to work with its main funders - which include Creative Scotland - to develop a new business plan.

The CCA is putting together a new business plan to help secure its futureThe CCA is putting together a new business plan to help secure its future (Image: Newsquest)

The CCA was first forced to close in 2018 after a fire destroyed the nearby Glasgow School of Art.

Several of the businesses which rented out space inside the building never returned after it reopened.

The centre's cafe bar was later closed permanently following a row over pay and working conditions, which led to the venue shutting permanently in April last year.


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Francis McKee stepped down as director of the CCA late last year after 18 years leading the venue.

Mr McKee has been credited with transforming the organisation into a "dynamic and distinctive" institution within the arts community in Scotland, elevating CCA’s profile on an international stage and helping launch the careers of world-renowned artists including David Shrigley.

The CCA was established on Sauchiehall Street in 1991. 

Three years later the venue hosted New Art in Scotland, by Turner Prize winner Douglas Gordon, Jane Lee and Nicola White.