The venue for this space will be the Paisley Centre, within a three-storey unit that used to house Allders Department Store. Beyond Retail Property Fund Ltd acquired the shopping centre during 2021, and this arts space – which will be named The Art Department – is set to be the first fruit of that move. The centre as a whole will eventually be transformed, at a cost of millions of pounds.
When it opens, The Art Department will be suitable for a range of creative projects, including crafting, ceramics, sculpture, drawing and painting, filmmaking and performance art. Graphic design shops in Paisley may be useful to those staging projects in spaces like this.
Among the first exhibitions that will be hosted there will be The Big Art Show, which will display work by artists from throughout Scotland and will be Paisley’s largest ever exhibition.
Speaking to the Daily Record, the man behind the planned space, Steven Thomson, said:
“We firmly believe art is for everyone, regardless of your ability or where you come from, and we do hope you will visit The Art Department.”
The Art Department is expected to be ready to launch within months.