The Dream Machine – An Appeal

We are reaching out to you at a moment of crisis. The Dream Machine and The Space studios—creative homes to over 100 artists, musicians, and community groups—are being forcibly evicted with just three weeks’ notice, leaving our community without studios, storage, or anywhere to go.

Despite Spectrum Properties refusing to restore power (which Scottish Power confirmed would be free) and plunging the entire three-storey building into complete darkness with no fire safety, they have now demanded that we return the keys tomorrow with no 3 month notice period, while we still have tens of thousands of pounds worth of equipment trapped inside. They intend to remove us without notice so they do not have to answer to the 70 odd objections to their plans to demolish our building in order to erect luxury flats in their place. This is gentrification and landlord feudalism at its worse

We are fighting to survive. But we can’t do it alone.

We have launched an emergency crowdfunder to raise £10,000 to:

  • Help artists and studioholders relocate and cover moving costs.
  • Support staff who lost their jobs overnight with no notice.
  • Cover storage and relocation costs for The Dream Machine and People Without Labels, ensuring we can rebuild in a new space and keep our mission alive.

🔗 Donate here: https://www.paypal.com/donate?campaign_id=5JLJUVBGXJ42J

We are also hosting a Fire Sale, liquidating everything we own to help fund the transition. From high-quality music, lighting, and event gear to tools, furniture, and artwork, everything must go.

🛒 Browse the items and place bids here:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Dt5gwaf194P1IJ-53NeC4aS91ToTGZSUJVACi-mLt2U/edit?usp=sharing

If you would like to buy something from the items list, please email the item number/s and your highest bid for each of them or suggested package price to info@dreammachineproductions.org. We will gather all bids and contact people mid February with payment and collection details.

Why This Matters

This isn’t just about one venue or one studio. This is about Glasgow’s creative lifeblood being squeezed. The loss of Dream Machine and The Space will devastate the city’s grassroots arts scene, making it even harder for artists, musicians, and community groups to access affordable creative space.

But there is still hope.

We are fighting to relocate and rebuild, keeping alive our plans for Dream Park—an ambitious 3-acre community arts hub designed to provide permanent space for creativity, music, and social impact in Glasgow’s East End. We expect a decision on Dream Park in March, but if we don’t survive until then, the project could be lost.

With your help, we can weather this storm, support the artists who have lost everything, and take the first steps towards rebuilding something even stronger.

How You Can Help

✅ Donate whatever you can: https://www.paypal.com/donate?campaign_id=5JLJUVBGXJ42J
✅ Buy something from the Fire Sale: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Dt5gwaf194P1IJ-53NeC4aS91ToTGZSUJVACi-mLt2U/edit?usp=sharing
✅ Share this email with anyone who cares about Glasgow’s creative scene and who you think could help in any way.

We are deeply grateful for any support you can give. We refuse to let this be the end of the road. With your help, we can keep the dream alive.

With love and solidarity,
Matt Lygate & The Dream Machine Team

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