From Easterhouse to the Gallery of Modern Art, Glasgow is gearing up for 17 days of contemporary art that promises to reach every corner of the city. Glasgow International, Scotland's acclaimed biennial festival of contemporary art, has unveiled the full programme for its 11th edition, running from Friday 5 June to Sunday 21 June 2026.
The festival — free, accessible, and open to all — will feature work by over 60 emerging and established artists across more than 30 venues, spanning major galleries, independent spaces, and community hubs. It marks a statement of intent for new director Helen Nisbet, who takes the helm for the first time.
"It is a privilege to lead Glasgow International, one of the most inspiring and critically important art events in the world, into its 11th edition," said Nisbet. "The festival creates a platform where diverse voices and perspectives come together. Learning from artists and from each other, we are connecting histories, communities and ideas for the future — both locally and across borders."
Fresh Ground: Special Projects
The standout addition to this year's programme is 'Special Projects', a new strand celebrating organisations deeply embedded in specific Glasgow communities. It's a deliberate move to widen who shapes — and who experiences — contemporary art in the city.
The inaugural Special Projects are Fire Stories, a multimedia project at Platform in Easterhouse, and A Very Human Thing To Do, a collaborative arts and social action project organised with young people at Rumpus Room in Govanhill and Bowling Green Together in Pollokshields.
Emma Nicolson, Head of Visual Arts at Creative Scotland, called the initiative "a significant step in recognising community-rooted practice and widening who shapes and experiences contemporary art."
From Glasgow to the Globe
The artist list blends homegrown talent with international names. Glasgow-based artists Kate Cooper, Luke Fowler, Mandy McIntosh, and Aqsa Arif sit alongside international figures including Naeem Mohaiemen, Anya Paintsil, Joanna Piotrowska, and Tanoa Sasraku.
One headline commission ties directly into this summer's Commonwealth Games. Australian South Sea Islander artist Jasmine Togo-Brisby will present Liquid Land, her debut European solo presentation, at the Gallery of Modern Art. The sculptural installation, supported by Glasgow 2026 Festival and Commonwealth Sport funding, explores historical injustice and will remain on display throughout the Games.
"Supporting artists from Commonwealth countries is central to the purpose of the Glasgow 2026 Festival," said Phil Batty, Chief Executive of Glasgow 2026. "Creating space for diverse stories, meaningful cultural exchange and artwork that is an honest reflection of the world in which we live."
A City-Wide Celebration
The programme explores themes of artistic experimentation, personal and ancestral memory, intergenerational kinship, and resonances that cross cultures. Some exhibitions will run beyond the festival's close, extending into the summer at partner venues.
Returning for its second year is 'Gatherings', a free series of talks, workshops, discussions, and performances that dig deeper into the festival's recurring themes.
Glasgow International is supported by Creative Scotland, the Scottish Government's Festival Expo Fund, Glasgow Life, Glasgow City Council, EventScotland, the British Council, and the Henry Moore Foundation, among others.
With the Commonwealth Games arriving in July, Glasgow's cultural calendar has rarely looked stronger. For full programme details and to plan your visit, head to glasgowinternational.org.
