28 May 2026
Taking a creative approach to regeneration: SURF Awards Shared Learning Workshop
SURF and the Scottish Government work together to identify and highlight excellence and innovation in initiatives that address social and economic challenges in disadvantaged communities through the annual SURF Awards for Best Practice in Community Regeneration.
Overview
This free half-day SURF Awards workshop event in Civic House, Glasgow on 28th May provides an opportunity to explore successful approaches towards linking creative arts and culture into regeneration initiatives. The winning and highly commended projects from the ‘Creative Regeneration’ category highlighted in the 2025 SURF Awards process will provide comment on their experiences and transferable learning.
Workshop guests will firstly hear from a project representative from the ‘Creative Regeneration’ category winner A Creative Approach to Revitalising Lochside. Led by Lift D&G who are delivering a creative placemaking approach from a community Art Cabin, providing creative opportunities that allow people to fulfil their potential.
Guests will then hear from highly commended Alloway Railway Tunnel. An ambitious vision to deliver a community regeneration arts project, creating a stunning 300m art installation within the railway tunnel at the Brig O’ Doon.
Finally, guests will then hear from the second of the highly commended projects the Galoshans Festival, a celebration of creativity, culture and performance rooted in a traditional piece of folk theatre originating in Inverclyde and performed throughout medieval Scotland, particularly around Hallowe’en.
The event will close with a chaired panel discussion on wider policy issues, Creative Scotland and Creative Lives.
The SURF Awards ‘Creative Regeneration’ judging panel team – comprising representatives of Creative Scotland, Culture Counts, Narture CIC and Public Health Scotland – were particularly enthused by the projects ability to leave a lasting impact in their community within all three shortlisted projects in this category.
This workshop is being delivered with support from Creative Scotland.
Programme
10:00 Registration and networking
10:30 Welcome and Introduction: Euan Leitch, Chief Executive, SURF
10:35 Presentation, A Creative Approach to Revitalising Lochside: Representatives from the Lift Team, Lift D&G
10:50 Presentation, Alloway Railway Tunnel: Shelagh McLachlan, Alloway Railway Tunnel (ART) SCIO
11:00 Presentation, Galoshans Festival: Karen Orr, RIG Arts
11:10 Questions and Comments with project representatives
11:35 Policy Panel Discussion:
- Karen Dick,Creative Scotland
- TBC, Creative Lives
12:05 Summary, Thanks and What’s Next: Euan Leitch and Emma Scott, Awards & Communications Manager, SURF
12:15 Close and Networking Lunch
