GLASGOW .- Today, FRANCIS MCKEE, curator of GLASGOW INTERNATIONAL announced programme details of this, Glasgow’s first curated and commissioning FESTIVAL OF CONTEMPORARY VISUAL ART, which will take place across the city over twelve days from, THURSDAY 21 APRIL until MONDAY 2 MAY, 2005.

With over one hundred artists, contributors and venues currently taking part - plus more to be announced shortly - GLASGOW INTERNATIONAL 2005 highlights include TRAMWAY’s hosting of a specially curated show from one of the world’s premier collections of contemporary art, Mexico’s JUMEX COLLECTION, first ever European exhibition; newly commissioned work by Glasgow based and internationally renowned SMITH/STEWART at 64 OSBORNE STREET; NEIL MULHOLLAND’S specially curated CAMPBELL’S SOUP exhibition at GLASGOW SCHOOL OF ART and iconic American artist, BARBARA KRUGER’S new installation at GALLERY OF MODERN ART along with her specially commissioned billboard work at Glasgow’s CENTRAL STATION.

McKee also confirmed dates for next year’s Festival which will take place from WED 19 APRIL 2006 until MON 1 MAY 2006.

GLASGOW INTERNATIONAL has grown out of the existing infrastructure in the visual arts in Glasgow, and both celebrates and supports the continued growth and achievements of Glasgow’s visual arts sector. The programme aims to reflect the position of Glasgow as a centre for production and exhibition of internationally significant visual art and will bring to this context a range of work, much of which has either been specifically commissioned or brought to the UK for the first time for the Festival.

GLASGOW INTERNATIONAL is working together with Glasgow’s leading visual arts venues along with new sites, indoor and out, to deliver a world-class annual event which will profile Scottish and International contemporary visual artistic talent.

The programme highlights a number of internationally significant artists who are based in the city. It also supports a range of grassroots activity, highlighting the many emerging artists that Glasgow continues to produce and sustain. The range and quality of Glasgow’s exhibition spaces – both indoor formal spaces and outdoor ‘found’ spaces will reflect Glasgow’s capacity to exhibit internationally significant visual art.

Many Glasgow and Scottish based artists enjoy International support from Visual Art Festivals worldwide. Glasgow International is a unique opportunity to give those artists the chance to bring that work to Scottish audiences and in return host International artists.

Commenting on today’s announcement, FRANCIS MCKEE, Curator, GLASGOW INTERNATIONAL said: ‘Glasgow’s international reputation in the contemporary art world is founded on the many achievements of artists based locally. This new Festival of Contemporary Visual Art has been designed to showcase the high level of artistic activity that generates such attention and to bring this to a much broader public. In its first year it is clear from the programme that there has been an overwhelmingly positive response to the project by venues and artist-run spaces across the city.’

‘The festival has no dominant theme. Instead, the various and diverse participants have been encouraged to highlight their own approaches to contemporary art, reflecting the kind of work that happens throughout the year, every year, in the city. Alongside local artists, international figures from abroad will participate and it is a particular pleasure to present works from THE JUMEX COLLECTION at TRAMWAY. It seems unfair, however, to single out too many highlights given the quality of work from everyone participating. The creation of the festival is the result of a strong collective effort from organisations large and small across the entire city.’