‘It would represent an irreversible loss to Scotland's cultural record’: potential sale of Glasgow art centre’s archive sparks outcry

The archive of Glasgow's Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA) has become a focal point of concern after listing it among the assets of the insolvent organization. The archive, which chronicles more than five decades of Scotland's contemporary cultural history, is feared to be broken up or sold during the liquidation process. A "Stop the Sale" demonstration took place in support of preserving the collection.

The archive, comprising exhibition records, photographs, posters, film, flyers, and other ephemera, is owned by Creative Scotland and housed in the Sauchiehall Street building. Amanda Catto, a former portfolio manager at Creative Scotland, emphasized the significance of the archive, stating that it represents "part of Scotland's cultural memory."

She expressed concern that allowing the archive to be fragmented or sold would lead to an "irreversible loss to Scotland's cultural record." MB Valuations, appointed by the liquidators to dispose of the CCA's assets, is seeking advice on preserving the collection. The Scottish Liberal Democrats' culture spokesperson, David Green, called for immediate action to safeguard the archive's valuable contents.

Save Our CCA, a campaign group, launched a petition demanding the preservation of the archive and the retention of the building as a public cultural asset. The controversy arises following the CCA's closure earlier this year due to financial struggles, leading to its liquidation in January. The Scottish Charity Regulator's inquiry into the charity's financial governance concluded without taking further action.

Catto questioned the protection afforded to other nationally significant cultural organizations if their archives were to face similar situations.