Glasgow Life Snags Iconic Third Eye and CCA Art Archives for Future Fun

Glasgow Life, the charity responsible for managing the city's museums and libraries, has purchased the archive of two organizations that have been central to Glasgow's contemporary art scene. The archive includes materials from the Third Eye Centre and the Centre for Contemporary Arts, known as the CCA. These materials, collected over more than fifty years, feature exhibition records, photographs, films, posters, flyers, and letters from artists. Together, they provide a detailed record of the people and events that helped make Glasgow a hub for modern art. The acquisition comes after the closure of the CCA and the sale of its building and assets on Sauchiehall Street.

The Third Eye Centre was established in the 1970s by the Scottish Art Council and was originally located in the building that later became the CCA. The venue was famous for hosting performers such as Billy Connolly, Whoopi Goldberg, and Allen Ginsberg, a key figure in the Beat movement. The Third Eye Centre was a place for Glasgow's counter culture, offering a space for creative expression and alternative art. It closed in 1991, and the CCA took over, becoming a new center for the city's art scene.

In recent years, the CCA faced several challenges. In 2018, a fire at the nearby Glasgow School of Art forced the CCA to close temporarily. Some businesses that rented space inside the building did not return after it reopened. The CCA's popular cafe bar, Saramago, closed permanently in 2023 after a long dispute over staffing issues. This decision caused financial difficulties for the CCA. The center tried to secure its future by making changes, but earlier this year, it closed permanently and all staff were made redundant.

Glasgow Life worked with Creative Scotland and The Ballast Trust to acquire the archive, with funding from Creative Scotland. The City Archives team at Glasgow Life will catalog the collection, making it available to researchers, artists, students, and the public. Jane Rowlands, head of museums and collections at Glasgow Life, said the archive is an important part of Glasgow's cultural history. She explained that the Third Eye Centre and CCA helped shape Glasgow's reputation as a creative city. Keeping the archive in Glasgow means that future generations will be able to learn about the city's art history.

Culture Secretary Màiri McAllan expressed her satisfaction that the archive would remain in public ownership and be accessible to everyone. The CCA building on Sauchiehall Street is recognizable by its floor-to-ceiling windows and a black banner sign at the top. Bikes are often locked up outside, and groups of people can be seen talking on the pavement. Thanks to Glasgow Life's efforts, the story of Glasgow's contemporary art scene will be preserved and shared with the community.