A city-wide celebration of sustainability and creativity will unite Glasgow’s academic, artistic and environmental communities next month.

The Glasgow Goes Green festival returns for its milestone 10th anniversary on Wednesday 5 March 2025, bringing together the city’s universities and colleges for a day of collaboration and inspiration.

For the first time, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) and Glasgow Kelvin College will join forces with The University of Glasgow, The Glasgow School of Art, Glasgow Caledonian University and The University of Strathclyde to host a full day of interactive workshops, performances and exhibitions centred on the theme: Sustainable Synergies – Uniting Disciplines for a Greener Future.

Held at the University of Glasgow’s Advanced Research Centre (ARC), the festival will highlight how diverse fields – from science and technology to the arts and social sciences – can work together to tackle environmental challenges and inspire positive change.

Pamela Mathieson, Sustainability Manager at RCS, said: “We’re thrilled to be part of the Glasgow Goes Green festival, working alongside the city’s universities and colleges to explore how the arts, sciences, and technology can come together to create a sustainable future.

“The arts have this incredible power to shape how we see and respond to the climate crisis – they spark new ideas, bring people together, and inspire action. Throughout the day, we’ll be reflecting on how our own practices, whether through art, science, or collaboration, can make a real difference in tackling this global challenge. By connecting these different fields, we can push forward the cultural shift we need to build and thrive in a sustainable society.

“We are especially proud to showcase the incredible contributions of RCS staff, students, and partners, whose creativity and collaborative spirit are helping to inspire real, meaningful change.”

Taking part in Glasgow Goes Green is Simon Cook, RCS’s Central Production Unit Workshop Manager and co-founder of ReSet Scenery, a non-profit he established with Matt Doolan, a Set Construction tutor at RCS, that offers the entertainment industry an environmentally responsible circular alternative to landfill.

Their warehouse is packed full of sets saved from landfill which are available to repurpose, reuse and recycle into new productions, whether it’s for a small-scale tour or feature film.

They want to change how the entertainment industry fabricates its physical resources and are committed to developing long-term solutions to reduce waste, reuse materials and create a more sustainable future for the sector.

RCS Workshops at Glasgow Goes Green from 11am-5pm

How ReSet Scenery helps to cut waste in the creative industries

A presentation by Simon Cook, co-founder of ReSet Scenery and RCS’s Central Production Unit Workshop Manager, on transforming sustainability in the creative industries and how we can shift away from the Take, Make, Waste model and shape a greener future for the arts

Poetry Workshop: The Art of Noticing

Led by Laura Bissell, RCS Athenaeum Research Fellow, and Bee Dickson, final-year Contemporary Performance Practice student, this session encourages participants to use poetry as a means to observe and reflect on sustainability.

Zine-Making Workshop

Make a mini magazine in this creative collaboration between Catherine Small, Performing Arts Librarian at RCS’s Whittaker Library and Charlotte Dunn and Jenna Meek from The Glasgow School of Art Library.

Knitting cloths for personal care

A relaxing drop-in workshop with Sarah McGovern, Library Assistant, RCS Whittaker Library, which promotes sustainable crafting.

RCS student and staff performances from 5-7pm

The festival will conclude with an inspiring evening of music and storytelling, where nature, tradition and sustainability take centre stage. This special event showcases four distinct performances, presented by RCS students and staff.

Wind instrument performance

A mesmerising showcase of wind instruments, exploring the organic connection between breath, sound, and the environment. Composition student Patrick Fernandez will play the khaen, a mouth organ that is a national instrument of Laos and is also used in traditional Thai music.

Jazz performance

A dynamic and expressive jazz set, inspired by nature’s rhythms and improvisational energy.

Traditional folk music set by Ada Wood

A heartfelt journey through Scotland’s rich folk traditions, celebrating the deep ties between music, land, and heritage.

Songs and Folklore of Plants: Sustainable Traditions

An evocative performance led by folklorist and Traditional Music lecturer Margaret Bennett and Traditional Music students blending music and storytelling to explore the folklore, myths, and cultural significance of plants in musical traditions.

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All festival events are free, with select sessions requiring pre-booking via Eventbrite.

Visit Glasgow Goes Green to view the programme and book your space!

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