Presenting Govan

PRESENTING GOVAN A multi agency collaborative proposal led and developed by Fablevision, Created by Matt Baker, Tom Manley, and Liz Gardiner

‘WORK THE GITHER’

FORGET YER DIFFERENCES & GO FOR THE SAME G O A L S

Govan has physically and socially started to mend itself but urgently needs continued investment to provide jobs and alleviate poverty. The challenge moving forward is to tie the elements together and ensure a mutually beneficial framework for both economic and cultural development, harnessing the knowledge of local people.

This document sets out our proposal for a web resource that aims to celebrate Govan’s unique identity and built environment; raising the profile of Govan, and highlighting local strategies that extend the regeneration effort. In addition to exploring potential for new spaces, and infrastructure, we would like to see a platform for the diverse range of creative, cultural and community led initiatives happening in Govan.

For the first time in a long while significant investment in Govan supported by the Central Govan Action Plan, and Govan Workspaces, amongst many other organisations, has provided much needed improvements to housing, public space, and business needs. We recognize that further investment and improvement to this rich built environment is urgently required and that cultural and social wellbeing is fundamental to strengthening a sense of place, and encouraging future investment in the area.

Building on the work of CGAP it is hoped this package will act as a resource for further development, and help deliver a sense of quality and creative excellence to Govan’s future.

‘ D A E U N TA E OT H E RS ’

HOW DAE YE WANT TAE BE TREATED ?

TREAT OTHERS THAT WAY AN AW

Capitalise on potential for Riverside Museum to act as a catalyst for change in Govan.

As a concept Glorious Govan is a celebratory vehicle for mapping exciting resources and developments, linking and celebrating them. Our proposal is primarily focused on the formation of a web resource. The processes involved in the creation of this resource will have a variety of further outcomes, helping to sustain a culturally planned future where the considerations of different groups are channeled into its development.

Foster shared values that strengthen partnerships across Govan and help build interest in the area.

The sensitive situation of WaterRow with contested uses of land, and as a stalled, and unresolved site lies at the heart of Central Govan. Its future offers fantastic potential to provide connections, raise the profile of the area and act as a gateway and arrival point in Govan. The stones displayed in Govan Old church, and the colourful heritage of the Show People’s community, the Clyde ferry crossing and refurbished Govan Cross and regenerataion projects are assets that can bring people into the area.

Together with the fantastic array of heritage, cultural and social resources within Govan, an opportunity exists to create a platform for the presentation of stories and wealth of local knowledge, that focuses on specific areas. In light of such potential we feel much further exploration of Water Row is required WHO IS IT FOR • Agencies and Organisations already working in Govan • Local individuals with an interest in ‘what’s going on’ • Visitors to the area and potential visitors (eg visiting Riverside Museum) • Potential developers / investors in Govan – this will be the ‘knowledge’ • Organisations and funders considering working in the area.

• Students / Researchers and academics.

Promote a conversation that is inclusive of community and development interests in establishing a true identity for the heart of Govan that responds to its rich stories.

Raise the profile of Govan, attracting people to visit and identify potential for new work and leisure spaces.

WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE

A beautifully designed and accessible web resource that presents local resources, stories and themes gathered through working with the local community.

• • •

Heritage • Housing • Myths & Legends •

Work Spaces • Maps & Orientation • Cultural Attractions •

Public Space Local Organisations Environment

A web resource that operates on different levels each with their own distinct function.

A RESOURCE FOR VISITORS • Orientation / Arrival What’s On / Internet Links • PAST / PRESENT / FUTURE A RESOURCE FOR LOCAL PEOPLE & ORGANISATIONS • Layering of Grass Roots / Strategic Development • Strengthen Partnerships - An Information Point • Support for the Creation of a Shared Vision A TOOL FOR PROJECT WORKING • A forum for Sharing and Community Information Portal

Encourage real quality, creative design and artwork to flourish.

Central to the design of this project is an interactive map for community assets and attractions, spanning potentially from Graving Docks to Linthouse. Map based around Past, Present, and Future.

Visual Imagery as main element in design of site. Images gathered through research and collaboration with various organisations, and presented as story boards or slideshows in historical layers.

Imagined future and key recommendations outlined through research with local community and partners

Provide a consultation process for the next stages of CGAP, Promote the reuse and adaptation of existing buildings.

PRODUCTION PROCESS This project will be realised through a staged approach with clear outcomes at identifiable points: 1) PITCH TO SECURE FUNDING AND APPROVAL OF PROJECT PLUS FEEDBACK FROM GSWRA. 2) INITIAL RESEARCH AND INVESTIGATIONS • This period will involve the formation of a steering group who agree to being active contributors and advisors to project, represenative of community initiatives.

• Research similar projects / regeneration areas. Consultation with sub contractors.

• Develop themes for detailed research.

(Heritage , Cultural, Environmental etc ) • Collection of stories through investigative visual, aural, and written methods.

• Interviews and workshops • Create outline drawings, and photographs to be included in detailed proposals.

3) DEVELOP FRAMEWORK FOR CONCEPT • Develop categories that can be effectively communicated within web resource and layering of information for different users.

4) SKETCH DESIGN PRESENTATION Enable an informed and detailed discussion about completion of the project. Information collected should be a valuable information bank that can have different outcomes depending on financial budgets available: • Develop project in variety of formats - books, signage, interactive displays etc...

• A community led steering group for future development / social cohesion • Workshops that lead to further creative and community work 5) DETAILED SECOND GATHERING • Further workshops and public events • Refinement of information into package for final production 6) STUDIO PRODUCTION PERIOD • Collaboration with web designer to produce final information

Encourage culturally planned approaches specific to the communities knowledge and unique sense of place, using workshops and ‘gathering sesssions’.

GLORIOUS GOVAN

OVERALL FRAMEWORK / PROCESS FOR FEASIBILITY AND POTENTIAL PARTNERS PROJECT TEAM • PROJECT LEADER (with technical and research subcontractors) • STEERING GROUP • SUPPORT PROJECT INITIATORS / FACILITATORS • PATRON AND ACADEMIC PARTNER

Fablevision (a social enterprise established in 1984) engages long term unemployed and young people in apprenticeship-style, multi media learning programmes. The charity develops community theatre, arts and media projects in partnership with local public, private and third sector organisations. Learners bring their own skills and talents to the delivery of those projects (building confidence and gaining new skills in the process). The charity also has a trading arm (Fablevision Studios) which attracts commercial contracts, delivers services for the charity and provides jobs, training and employment opportunities.

Feasibility / ‘Gathering’ project led led by researcher / photographer and designer (Tom Manley) with support and ideas developed through collaboration with project initiators. ( artists Matt Baker, ts Beall, and Fablevision director Liz Gardiner) It is intended that the shared wealth of expertise from cultural, research, artistic and urban design knowledge will drive and deliver initiatives throughout this initial exploratory process.

• At this stage research from other case studies and organizations will be looked into. eg. the artworks programme & Speirs Lock Regeneration • There maybe a requirement for additional facilitators to the project who may come on board once the project is agreed.

A steering group will be set up with locally interested parties to open a dialogue and encourage active participation in the research process and direction of final project. It is intended that these members will have a direct interest in the potential for the project and be able to bring a balanced, unique and collective view to the project, and strengthen a creative Network • (Possible stakeholders CGAP, Govan Workspace, Riverside museum, Townscape Heritage Initiative, Housing Associations, Govan Parish).

• Patron: Harry Burns • Academic Partner. Possible link with Strathclyde or Glasgow School of Art www.tommanleyphotography.com

www.mattbaker.org

www.glasgowinternational.org

LIZ GARDINER

TOM MANLEY

MATT BAKER

t s BEALL

As a masters research graduate in European Cultural Planning, Liz has worked in the cultural sector in Scotland since the 1980s (based in Govan since 1990) developing engaged cultural practices within communities to impact on social and economic agendas. Liz is Director of Fablevision.

With a background in architectural practice, Tom is developing a career that draws from urban environments, architecture, photography and the arts. Currently freelance as a photographer, and writer, he has undertaken previous research in community regeneration in Manchester and Glasgow.

One of Scotland’s leading public artists, Matt is currently working with GHA and Govan’s Riverside community. His Work often has an emphasis on ‘memory in public space’ and responds directly to specific urban identities. Together with ts Beall they are preparing artwork and events as part of Glasgow International 2012.

t s Beall is an artist who works with a variety of media to examine how landscape and place are both imaged and imagined. Recent public artworks experiment with different models of collaboration, and how community action can offer playful counterpoint to gentrification and development.

www.fablevision.org