A SCOTTISH arts centre has said it is "deeply sorry" for its handling of a pro-Palestine protest back in June.
The Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA) on Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow has been closed since Art Workers for Palestine Scotland occupied the building on June 24 over the centre’s refusal to adopt a Boycotts, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) policy or support the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI).
Protesters had planned to take over the building for five days, hosting events, workshops and screenings exploring “the complicity of Scotland’s cultural institutions” in the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
However, the CCA announced a temporary closure after the first day of the takeover led to the arrest of a 63-year-old woman and an injury to one individual. The centre has remained closed, though officials have now said they are “deeply sorry” for how the incident was handled.
“We sincerely regret the outcome of our decisions on June 24 and that an individual was injured. We recognise that a lack of clarity on our choices had real human consequences, and for this we are deeply sorry.
“We apologise for the delay in external communications, as we focused first on internal dialogue so that we could provide clear and considered information when speaking publicly.
“We are listening and know that trust cannot be repaired with words alone, but through consistent, honest, and long-term work.”
Following on from the prolonged closure, CCA have said they are “accelerating” plans for leadership changes within the institution.
A new finance manager is set to be appointed this month and once the current chair’s term ends in October, the venue will seek a “new permanent leadership for CCA”.
New board members are also set to be recruited, with “an aim to widen the scope of experience, background, and representation, including global majority voices”.
Amidst the centre’s closure, an independent bookshop housed within the premises has been “asked to leave” after 17 years.
Aye Aye Books – whose aim is to think about the world we live in, how it works, what powers it, who runs it, and how we might need to respond to that – was asked to relocate by the centre.
In an email from CCA shared by owner Martin Vincent, the centre said that whilst it undertakes discussions with funding sources to work towards reopening, “it is probably sensible to accept that this period of closure marks the end of CCA’s relationship with Aye Aye Books”.
Almost two months after the protest, the institution has decided to reverse its decision on stance on supporting PACBI measures, noting the “urgency” of calls to endorse the movement.
The CCA will reopen “without formal endorsement”, but said it is working towards “adopting an ethical fundraising and programming policy”.
“We condemn the violence of the Israeli state, the ongoing occupation, genocide, and the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza”, the statement continues.
“We stand firmly against all forms of oppression and in support of the rights and dignity of the Palestinian people.
"We respect the calls for CCA to endorse PACBI (the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel).
“We are grateful to those who have challenged us and held us to account and have clearly and powerfully expressed the need for cultural institutions to take a stand.”
A provisional re-opening date has been set for August 25.
