Performance Review

Continuing a tradition of commentary on the subject that has been a hallmark of 'Variant' since its inception, this article considers the options available to self-organised artistic activity in Glasgow presently. The intention is to reflect upon trajectories of professionalisation which are presented here as not only being endemic within financially supported activity, but also baked into presentational formats purporting to be informal, or outside the financial operations of an art world proper. This topic is taken up in relation to definitions of 'artist-run' or 'artist-led' activity, changes to the mechanisms of cultural subsidy in Scotland, and ongoing debates around fair pay.