Situated in Glasgow's Culture and Heritage District, the RCS and GSA, both highly-ranked specialist institutions with a global outlook, have partnered to release the film. This collaboration highlights Glasgow's position as a premier European centre for culture and artistic innovation.
The film, created by Glasgow-based photographer and filmmaker Louise Mather, features four recent graduates: Anupa Joshy and Iris May from the GSA, and Miguel Girão and Peter McCormick from the RCS. They reflect on their personal journeys and the city's unique environment for creative careers.
Peter McCormick, an RCS Acting graduate, noted the invaluable institutional support for launching independent work and taking risks, particularly at events like the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Anupa Joshy, a 2026 Young Designer of the Year Award finalist and founder of Colour Theory, praised the GSA's practice-led learning environment for empowering emerging talent and encouraging students to 'forge our own paths'.
Miguel Girão, an RCS Traditional Music graduate, found the diversity of Glasgow's music scene offered significant opportunities for collaboration. Iris May, a GSA Painting and Printmaking graduate and co-founder of Stuck? Collective, an artist-run organisation, highlighted the city's culture of mutual support, essential for graduates remaining in the city.
The graduate voices in 'Glasgow Creates' exemplify Glasgow's 'creative supercluster', where education, artistic infrastructure, and grassroots communities interconnect. This environment fosters continuous cross-disciplinary collaboration, mutual support, and generosity, actively welcoming new talent.
The film demonstrates how accessible living costs and a dense network of working artists, musicians, designers, and performers in independent spaces encourage cross-disciplinary collaboration, reinforcing the city's creative population.
