Third Eye Bar opening hours: Tue-Thu: noon-11pm, Fri-Sat: noon - midnight

Photography by Alan Dimmick.

Francis McKee, who has served as the Director of CCA: Centre for Contemporary Arts Glasgow for the last eighteen years, will be departing at the end of the year. McKee's transformative leadership has been instrumental in shaping CCA into a dynamic and distinctive institution within the arts community in Scotland and beyond.

Taking on the role in 2006, McKee made a profound impact by reimagining and remapping the CCA. Guiding the organisation through a transitional phase, he revitalised the space through the introduction of an open-source approach to programming. This ethos of sharing resources fostered a civic-led representational public programme, effectively transforming the venue into a vibrant platform for Glasgow’s thriving art scene. McKee’s curatorial work also elevated CCA’s profile on an international stage, while playing a crucial role in the cultural ecology of Glasgow and wider Scotland.

CCA looks forward to building on the initiatives set in motion by McKee and embracing the spirit and ideals that he has imbued into the institution. His emphasis on public engagement has given rise to projects such as Glasgow Seed Library, which promotes seed-saving practices and community involvement in gardening, and Common Ground, a physical space and programme for refugee communities. With the recent receipt of a generous grant of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund through Glasgow City Council, CCA is excited to further develop these projects.

McKee's departure coincides with a moment of change in the arts, and we are eager to draw upon the wealth of decisions and ideas contributed throughout their tenure. Leaving the institution in such a strong position is a significant accomplishment, and we intend to continue our work on the reconsideration of our organisation’s structure and purpose as we enter this forthcoming phase. McKee will shift their focus to research, writing, and teaching. CCA is immensely grateful to Francis McKee for his years of leadership, vision and unwavering belief in the organisation.