Industry Update: Gaelic arts and culture in Glasgow are set to be supported and strengthened by plan to promote participation and enable engagement | Thèid taic a thoirt do dh’ealain is cultar na Gàidhlig ann an Glaschu is thèid an neartachadh le plana gus com-pàirteachadh a bhrosnachadh is a chur an comas

A new plan has been introduced by Glasgow Life to safeguard, strengthen and celebrate Gaelic language, arts, music and culture in Glasgow. 

The Gaelic Arts Plan 2025-2029 aims to nurture and amplify one of Scotland’s most important cultural identities within the city – which has the largest concentration of Gaelic speakers outwith the Western Isles.

The plan’s launch reaffirms the charity’s commitment to deliver and promote a broad spectrum of arts and culture which – reflecting the priorities of Glasgow’s Culture Strategy – are relevant to all of the city’s diverse communities, supporting inclusion, wellbeing, and the local economy.

Glaschu Beò: Plana nan Ealan Gàidhlig will ensure artistic expression in Gaelic, as a living language in Glasgow, is expanded and embedded within the city’s broader cultural offer to widen engagement and increase public participation.

To generate experiences and events which will encourage and inspire existing and new audiences to connect with Gaelic arts, language and culture, the plan sets out an exciting range of initiatives integrated across Glasgow Life’s museums, sports, libraries, learning and community services – as well as major festivals Celtic Connections, Merchant City Festival, Mela, Aye Write, and Glasgow International. The projects are also designed to act as a catalyst for collaborations which will create and cultivate opportunities for creative expression in Gaelic by artists, musicians and writers.

Glasgow Life Senior Projects and Programmes Manager – Arts, Music and Cultural Venues, Katie Duffy, said: “Glasgow has strong, historic links with Gaelic, and while it remains an endangered language, interest and engagement has grown considerably – as was highlighted in the 2022 census which revealed an 84% increase in Glasgow residents with Gaelic skills. We want to build on that and increase appreciation of Gaelic creative expression so we can boost its social and economic impact by ensuring it is an integral part of Glasgow’s cultural offer.

“Glasgow Life’s work is based on a belief in the power of the arts to enrich lives and strengthen cultural identity. Reflecting that, our new Gaelic Arts Plan will forge a pathway for Gaelic culture, arts and music to thrive in our modern, multicultural city by engaging city communities and visitors in relevant ways – for both Gaelic speakers as well as those who have no experience of the language or culture.”

The plan is designed to build on Glasgow’s achievements over the past 21 years to develop and celebrate Gaelic through programmes, projects and events which encourage participation.

As a result, Gaelic arts now make a significant economic contribution and social impact to Glasgow. Highlights of the city’s cultural calendar that incorporate Gaelic elements in their programmes generate an estimated £11.5 million annually for the local economy.

Over the past two decades, strategies to boost the benefits Gaelic generates for Glasgow have led to a number of important and innovative initiatives – including the introduction in 2018 of the pioneering  GUIR! incubator programme for new and emerging Gaelic artists.

Delivered in partnership with National Theatre of Scotland, Tramway, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and Sabhal Mor Ostaig (the Gaelic College on Skye), GUIR! has supported 29 artists to date, and its latest funding round is currently underway.

The Gaelic Arts Plan sets out intentions to increase the impact and benefits of the well-established, successful programme by extending it further.  In addition, the development of Gaelic Arts for GUIR! Associated Artists (GAGAA) will create a dynamic community of practice for artists through workshops.

Highlights of other initiatives noted in the Gaelic Arts Plan include:

Cèilidh a’ Bhaile Mhòir: Following the success of an initial pilot at Celtic Connections 2025, the introduction of an inclusive, inter-generational cèilidh to offer people from all backgrounds an opportunity to experience Gaelic through music, dance and poetry – with three of these events a year taking place in venues across the city

Gaelic musical pathways for youth: Creating a comprehensive music programme for ages 0 – 25, to foster talent and cultural engagement by children and young people

Fèis Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu: Supporting the growth of the annual arts tuition festival by introducing new events, such as the Fèis nan Deugairean for teenagers– which was also recently piloted at Celtic Connections 2025

Community collaboration: Partnering with Glasgow’s five Gaelic schools to integrate arts into the curriculum, and promote creative learning by including community drama initiatives, such as the Litir gu Glaschu (Letter to Glasgow) competition and Bàrd Baile Ghlaschu (Gaelic Bard for Glasgow)

Cultural milestones: Celebrating Glasgow’s 850th anniversary throughout 2025 with Gaelic programming and a contemporary exhibition on urban Gaelic identity

Royal National Mòd: Supporting the return to Glasgow of the event in 2026, through fringe activity

All of the projects share a key aim of enabling deeper connections and understanding between Gaelic heritage and contemporary society. This will ensure Gaelic remains a vibrant, integral part of Glasgow’s cultural fabric for generations to come, supporting local communities, as well as the city’s creative industries, tourism and events sectors, and economy.

The Gaelic Arts Plan was developed following broad consultation, and at its heart is cross-sector collaboration. To ensure meaningful programmes that increase engagement and impact are developed and delivered, Glasgow Life is working with a diverse range of partners – including Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Gaelic Books Council, Gaelic Books Council, Ceòl ‘s Craic, the University of Glasgow, Fèis Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu, An Lòchran, Theatre gu Leòr, and the five Gaelic Meidum Schools across the city.

Ealasaid MacDonald, Ceannard (CEO) of Bòrd na Gàidhlig, said: “Bòrd na Gàidhlig welcomes the launch of Glasgow Life’s innovative Glaschu Beò: Plana nan Ealan Gàidhlig at this exciting time for Gaelic arts in the city. We look forward to working with the charity and its partners to implement these proposals which will encourage, inspire and enable artists, organisations and communities across Glasgow to use Gaelic.”

The Gaelic Arts Plan 2025-2029 can be accessed here and further information on its aims is noted below. Details on Glasgow Life Gaelic programmes and events can be found here.

Tha Glaschu Beò air plana ùr ullachadh gus a’ Ghàidhlig, agus a h-ealain, ceòl agus cultar a dhìon, a neartachadh agus a chomharrachadh ann an Glaschu. 

Tha Plana nan Ealan Gàidhlig 2025-2029 ag amas air tè de na dearbh-aithnean cultarach as cudromaiche ann an Alba àrach agus àrdachadh taobh a-staigh a’ bhaile – aig a bheil an àireamh as motha de luchd-labhairt na Gàidhlig taobh a-muigh nan Eilean Siar.

Tha cur air bhog a’ phlana ag ath-dhaingneachadh dealas a’ charthannais a bhith a’ lìbhrigeadh agus a’ brosnachadh raon farsaing de dh’ealain is cultar a tha – a rèir prìomhachasan Ro-innleachd Cultair Ghlaschu – a’ buntainn ri coimhearsnachdan eadar-mheasgte a’ bhaile gu lèir, a’ cumail taic ri in-ghabhail, sunnd, agus ris an eaconamaidh ionadail.

Nì Glaschu Beò: Plana nan Ealan Gàidhlig  cinnteach gun tèid cur an cèill ealanta sa Ghàidhlig, mar chànan beò ann an Glaschu, a leudachadh agus gun tèid fhighe a-steach do thairgse chultarail nas fharsainge a’ bhaile gus cur ri conaltradh is com-pàirteachadh poblach.

Gus eòlasan agus tachartasan a chruthachadh a bhrosnaicheas agus a bheir misneachd do luchd-amais làithreach is ùr gus ceangal a dhèanamh ris a’ Ghàidhlig, a h-ealain is cultar, tha am plana a’ mìneachadh farsaingeachd bhrosnachail de dh’iomairtean amalaichte thairis air taighean-tasgaidh, spòrs, leabharlannan, ionnsachadh agus seirbheisean coimhearsnachd Glaschu Beò – a bharrachd air prìomh fhèisean Celtic Connections, Fèis Baile nam Marsantan, Mela, Aye Write, agus Glaschu Eadar-nàiseanta. Tha na pròiseactan cuideachd air an dealbhadh airson a bhith mar mheadhan air cothroman cur an cèill cruthachail tron Ghàidhlig le luchd-ealain, luchd-ciùil agus sgrìobhadairean.

Thuirt Àrd-mhanaidsear Phròiseactan is Phrògraman Ghlaschu Beò – Ionadan Ealain, Ceòl is Cultarail, Katie Duffy: “Tha ceanglaichean làidir, eachdraidheil aig Glaschu leis a’ Ghàidhlig, agus ged a tha i fhathast na cànan ann an cunnart, tha ùidh agus com-pàirteachadh sa chànan air fàs gu mòr – mar a bha follaiseach ann an cunntas-sluaigh 2022 a sheall àrdachadh de 84% ann an àireamhan luchd-còmhnaidh Ghlaschu le sgilean Gàidhlig. Tha sinn airson togail air sin agus airson cur ri ùidh ann an cur an cèill cruthachail na Gàidhlig gus an urrainn dhuinn a’ bhuaidh shòisealta agus eaconamach aice àrdachadh le bhith a’ dèanamh cinnteach gu bheil i na pàirt riatanach de thairgse chultarach Ghlaschu.

“Tha obair Glaschu Beò stèidhichte air a’ bheachd gu bheil cumhachd aig na h-ealain gus cur ri beatha dhaoine agus gus dearbh-aithne chultarach a neartachadh. Mar sin, cruthaichidh Plana nan Ealan Gàidhlig ùr againn slighe airson soirbheachadh cultar, ealainean is ceòl na Gàidhlig anns a’ bhaile mhòr, ioma-chultarach againn le com-pàirteachadh le coimhearsnachdan a’ bhaile agus luchd-tadhail ann an dòighean iomchaidh – an dà chuid do luchd-labhairt na Gàidhlig a bharrachd air an fheadhainn aig nach eil eòlas air a’ chànan no air a’ chultar.”

Chaidh am plana a dhealbh gus togail air na rinn Glaschu thairis air an 21 bliadhna a dh’fhalbh gus Gàidhlig adhartachadh agus a chomharrachadh tro phrògraman, pròiseactan agus tachartasan a bhrosnaicheas com-pàirteachadh.

Mar thoradh air seo, tha ealainean Gàidhlig a-nis a’ cur ri Glaschu gu susbainteach gu h-eaconamach agus gu sòisealta. Tha prìomh thachartasan ann am mìosachan cultarail a’ bhaile a tha a’ gabhail a-steach eileamaidean Gàidhlig sna prògraman aca a’ cruthachadh timcheall air £11.5 millean gach bliadhna dhan eaconamaidh ionadail.

Thairis air an dà dheichead mu dheireadh, tha ro-innleachdan gus cur ri buannachdan na Gàidhlig do Ghlaschu air grunn iomairtean cudromach agus ùr-ghnàthach a thoirt a-steach – a’ gabhail a-steach GUIR!, an guireadair airson luchd-ealain Gàidhlig ùra agus a tha a’ tighinn am bàrr, prògram ùr-ghnàthach a chaidh a chur air dòigh ann an 2018.

Air a lìbhrigeadh ann an com-pàirteachas le Tèatar Nàiseanta na h-Alba, an Tramway, Conservatoire Rìoghail na h-Alba, agus Sabhal Mòr Ostaig (a’ Cholaiste Ghàidhlig san Eilean Sgitheanach), tha GUIR! air taic a thoirt do 29 luchd-ealain gu ruige seo, agus tha a’ chuairt maoineachaidh as ùire aige a’ dol air adhart an-dràsta.

Tha Plana nan Ealan Gàidhlig a’ cur air adhart miannan gus buaidh agus buannachdan a’ phrògraim shoirbheachail fhad-sheasmhaich a mheudachadh le bhith ga leudachadh nas fhaide.  A bharrachd air seo, nì cruthachadh Ealainean Gàidhlig airson Luchd-ealain co-cheangailte ri GUIR! (Gaelic Arts for Guir! Associated Artists – GAGAA) cinnteach gum bi coimhearsnachd cleachdaidh bheothail ann airson luchd-ealain tro bhuidhnean obrach.

Am measg nam prìomh iomairtean eile air a bheilear a’ toirt iomradh ann am Plana nan Ealan Gàidhlig, tha,

Cèilidh a’ Bhaile Mhòir: Às dèidh soirbheas a’ phìleit thùsail aig Celtic Connections 2025, chaidh cèilidh in-ghabhalach, eadar-ghinealach a thoirt a-steach gus cothrom a thoirt do dhaoine de gach seòrsa eòlas fhaighinn air a’ Ghàidhlig tro cheòl, dannsa agus bàrdachd – le trì de na tachartasan sin sa bhliadhna a’ tachairt ann an ionadan air feadh a’ bhaile.

Slighean ciùil Gàidhlig dhan òigridh: A’ cruthachadh prògram ciùil coileanta airson aoisean 0 – 25, gus tàlant agus conaltradh cultarail a bhrosnachadh am measg clann is daoine òga

Fèis Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu: A’ cumail taic ri fàs na fèise teagaisg ealain bliadhnail le bhith a’ toirt a-steach tachartasan ùra, leithid Fèis nan Deugairean – a chaidh a phìleatadh bho chionn ghoirid aig Celtic Connections 2025.

Co-obrachadh coimhearsnachd: A’ co-obrachadh leis na còig sgoiltean Gàidhlig ann an Glaschu gus na h-ealainean fhighe a-steach dhan churraicealam, agus gus ionnsachadh cruthachail a bhrosnachadh le bhith a’ gabhail a-steach iomairtean dràma coimhearsnachd, leithid farpais Litir gu Glaschu agus Bàrd Baile Ghlaschu.

Clachan-mìle cultarach: A’ comharrachadh 850mh ceann-bliadhna Ghlaschu tro 2025 le prògraman Gàidhlig agus taisbeanadh co-aimsireil air dearbh-aithne Gàidhlig bailteil.

Am Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail: A’ cumail taic ri ath-thilleadh an tachartais a Ghlaschu ann an 2026, tro ghnìomhachd air iomall a’ Mhòid

Tha prìomh amas sa chumantas aig a h-uile pròiseact gus ceanglaichean agus tuigse nas doimhne a chur an comas eadar dualchas na Gàidhlig agus comann-sòisealta an latha an-diugh. Nì seo cinnteach gum bi a’ Ghàidhlig na pàirt bheothail, bhunaiteach de dh’inneach cultarail Ghlaschu fad ghinealaichean ri teachd, a’ cumail taic ri coimhearsnachdan ionadail, a bharrachd air gnìomhachasan cruthachail, roinnean turasachd is thachartasan, agus eaconamaidh a’ bhaile.

Chaidh Plana nan Ealan Gàidhlig ullachadh às dèidh co-chomhairle fharsaing, agus tha co-obrachadh thar-roinne aig a chridhe. Gus dèanamh cinnteach gun tèid prògraman brìoghmhor a chruthachadh is a lìbhrigeadh a tha a’ cur ri conaltradh agus buaidh, tha Glaschu Beò ag obair le raon farsaing de chom-pàirtichean – a’ gabhail a-steach Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Comhairle nan Leabhraichean, Ceòl ’s Craic, Oilthigh Ghlaschu, Fèis Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu, An Lòchran, Theatre gu Leòr, agus na còig sgoiltean tro meadhan na Gàidhlig air feadh a’ bhaile.

Thuirt Ealasaid Dhòmhnallach, Ceannard, Bòrd na Gàidhlig: “Tha Bòrd na Gàidhlig a’ cur fàilte air foillseachadh Glaschu Beò: Plana nan Ealan Gàidhlig, plana a tha ùr-ghnàthach aig an àm bhrosnachail seo airson nan ealan Gàidhlig sa bhaile.

“Tha sinn a’ dèanamh fiughair ri bhith ag obair leis a’ charthannas agus a chom-pàirtichean gus na molaidhean seo a chur an gnìomh, a mhisnicheas, a bhrosnaicheas, agus a bheir comas do luchd-ealain, buidhnean agus coimhearsnachdan air feadh Ghlaschu a’ Ghàidhlig a chleachdadh.”

Chithear Plana nan Ealan Gàidhlig  20252029 an seo  https://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/arts-music-and-culture/gaelic-arts/gaelic-arts-plan  agus tha barrachd fiosrachaidh mu na h-amasan aige ri fhaighinn gu h-ìosal. Gheibhear fiosrachadh mu phrògraman agus tachartasan Gàidhlig Ghlaschu Beò an seo.

[Photo credit: Kesiak-cc-Metagama: Metagama performed at Celtic Connections 2024. The work includes traditional Gaelic song and explores themes of migration, both historic and contemporary. Photo © Kris Kesiak for Glasgow Life.   Metagama, air an àrd-ùrlar aig Celtic Connections 2024. Tha an obair a’ gabhail a-steach òrain Ghàidhlig thraidiseanta agus a’ coimhead air imrich, an dà chuid gu
h-eachdraidheil agus san latha an-diugh. Dealbh © Kris Kesiak airson Glaschu Beò]