Arts centre apologises for handling of pro-Palestine protest

The Herald Scotland

6 hours ago

A statement released by the CCA expressed 'sincere regret' over the outcome of its decisions on the day, including the injuries suffered by a woman involved in the protest.
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The organisation has promised to recruit 'permanent leadership' for the CCA, which has been without a permanent director since the end of 2023, as well as new board members and a new chair, who will replace Jean Cameron when her term in the role ends in October.
It has also pledged to roll out 'meaningful change' across all levels of the organisation.
A sit-in protest was staged at the Centre for Contemporary Arts in Glasgow on June 24.The Scottish Government-funded venue, which has set out plans to reopen its doors to the public on August 25, has asked for 'support and patience' as it undertakes what it describes as a 'process of reflection and repair.'
However the CCA, which secured £3.4m in funding for the next three years in January, has stopped short of supporting calls to support a full academic and cultural boycott of Israel, which has been demanded by pro-Palestine campaigners.
The Art Workers for Palestine Group, which has been targeted a number of Scottish arts organisations in recent months, announced plans to "reclaim the CCA" for several days this week with a series of events in a "liberated zone" at the venue.
The CCA said it had been forced to close to the public due to "safety and security concerns" over the "intended occupation" of its courtyard. The CCA also claimed it was forced to call in 'law enforcement' in response to a 'forced entry' of its building.
However campaigners accused the CCA of "colluding" with the police and suggested there had been a 'violent crackdown' against the attempted sit-in.
The group has since accused the CCA's management and senior staff of misrepresenting events at the protest and failing to apologise to protesters who were 'kettled, brutalised and oppressed.'
The statement issued by the CCA said: 'CCA Glasgow acknowledges the disruption, confusion and harm experienced over recent weeks, particularly by our community, artists, staff, tenants and partners.
'We sincerely regret the outcome of our decisions on June 24 and that an individual was injured. We recognise that a lack of clarity on our choices had real human consequences, and for this we are deeply sorry.
'We apologise for the delay in external communications, as we focused first on internal dialogue so that we could provide clear and considered information when speaking publicly.
'We are listening and know that trust cannot be repaired with words alone, but through consistent, honest, and long-term work.
'The CCA is committed to lasting change, to listening more openly, making space for conversation, and taking shared responsibility.
'We are working to refresh our processes to ensure leadership reflects our principles, to amplify staff voices and to meet the changing needs of the CCA.
'Through this, we remain committed to meaningful engagement first within the organisation, and then with all those we work with and serve. This includes constructive dialogue with those who have raised concerns.
'Reopening will require a collective effort across our entire community. We now ask for your support and patience as we undertake this process of reflection and repair.'
The CCA said it would be working with external partners, stakeholders and funders to ensure that board and management changes were 'transparent and inclusive.'
Its statement added: 'We condemn the violence of the Israeli state, the ongoing occupation, genocide, and the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.
'We stand firmly against all forms of oppression and in support of the rights and dignity of the Palestinian people. We respect the calls for the CCA to endorse the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI).
'We are grateful to those who have challenged us and held us to account and have clearly and powerfully expressed the need for cultural institutions to take a stand. We recognise the urgency of the call to endorse PACBI.
'While the CCA will reopen without a formal endorsement, we are now working towards adopting an ethical fundraising and programming policy.
'We will revisit the decision on endorsement of PACBI when the new leadership is in place.
'In the last year we hosted 44 events in solidarity with Palestine and over 50 exhibitions on anti-colonialism, anti-racism, and resistance.
'We remain committed to work that reflects these values in practice. The CCA is now liaising with sector bodies and working to rebuild trust, re-engage with artists and communities, and continue dialogue.
'The CCA will engage in open and respectful discussions with those who have expressed concern about its future and purpose.
'We are committed to evolving our board and governance structures and processes to enable a legitimate and accountable review of this commitment in the future.
'This means holding space for meaningful internal discussion, ensuring our actions are supported by clear policies, and acknowledging the responsibility we have to implement this with care, integrity, and transparency.
'This will ensure that any commitment we make is both principled and practical. We ask now for time to complete this process with the depth it deserves.'
The CCA was opened in 1992 at the home of the former Third Eye Centre, which was founded in 1974.
Writers, artists and performers who have shown work or performed there include Allen Ginsberg, Whoopi Goldberg, John Byrne, Billy Connolly, Edwin Morgan, Kathy Acker, Damien Hirst, Sophie Calleite, Nathan Coley, Jacqueline Donachie, Louise Hopkins, Carol Rhodes, Richard Wright, David Shrigley and Ross Sinclair.
The venue has had a number of difficulties over the last decade, including being forced to close for several months due to the impact of the 2018 Glasgow School of Art fire, a long-running dispute over the pay and conditions of workers at its cafe-bar, and financial problems, which forced the venue to close temporarily in December.