Eight of Scotland's most diverse and vibrant arts organisations will begin their move this summer to Glasgow's new centre for the arts and creativity, Trongate 103.

Trongate 103 sees the development of an existing six-storey Edwardian warehouse into a creative hub for the production and exhibition of contemporary visual art.

It will house galleries, workshops, artists' studios and production spaces supporting the creation of art in a wide variety of media including printmaking, photography, digital media, film, video, kinetic sculpture, painting and ceramics.

There is no other facility like this in the UK - and few others in the world - in terms of supporting such a broad range of practice.

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Funded by Glasgow City Council, The National Lottery through the Scottish Arts Council, Scottish Enterprise and The Merchant City Townscape Heritage Initiative, Trongate 103 will open to the public in September 2009 - offering opportunities for the public to participate in, view and buy a wide variety of art.

At the same time as supporting the careers of professional artists, the building will offer opportunities to members of the public to see, make and learn about art in an environment that values the creativity of all.

Councillor George Ryan, Executive Member for Development and Regeneration at Glasgow City Council, said: "Trongate 103 is a unique project that will play a key role in ensuring Glasgow maintains its position as a global player in contemporary art and continues the regeneration of the Merchant City."

Malcolm Dickson, chair of the Trongate 103 Tenants' Forum, said the building has evolved with their needs in mind, coming as it does from the grassroots.

Jim Tough, Chief Executive of the Scottish Arts Council, said: "Investing in the spaces that artists need to create work is vital for the health and growth of our creative community."

(GK/BMcC)