From the Chamber of Arts
Dumfries and Galloway’s Chamber of Arts is hosting a two-day visit to the region by Janet Archer, chief executive of Creative Scotland.
During her visit, on July 24th and 25th, Ms Archer will learn more about some of the many inspirational people, places and events at the heart of cultural life in the south west.
She will meet the organisers behind major events with a national reputation such as Spring Fling, Big Burns Supper, Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival, Environmental Art Festival Scotland, and the Wigtown Book Festival.
The Creative Scotland CEO will spend time in Dumfries and will also visit the CatStrand, in New Galloway where she will meet arts sector representatives from the west of the region.
Cathy Agnew, Chair of the Chamber of Arts Board of Trustees, said: “The arts and culture have an important and inspirational role at the heart of life in this region. It will be great to have the chance to introduce Janet Archer to some of the projects and the people who are driving the arts in this region.
“Dumfries and Galloway is leading the way in rural Scotland because it has recognised that the arts and culture can do an enormous amount to enrich people’s lives, provide careers for our young people and to boost the economy by bringing in visitors.”
Among those who Ms Archer will meet will be representatives from the Electric Theatre Workshop in Dumfries, which is expected to make a splash at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with its drama Blood Orange, and Wide Open, the environmental arts body behind the Start of Caledonia and the Rosnes Benches.
She will also meet the regional and local arts convenors who are playing a key role in supporting and developing cultural activities across the region.
The visit will also include a chance to speak to representatives from The Stove Network, Theatre Royal, Gracefield Arts Centre and the Peter Pan Moat Brae Trust.
Ms Archer was invited to the region by Dumfries and Galloway Chamber of Arts, which works closely with Dumfries and Galloway Council and Creative Scotland, for the region’s cultural development.
So that will be Dunfries, Dumfries, Dumfries, and Dumfries
ReplyDeleteThe post above also includes the line: 'The Creative Scotland CEO will... also visit the CatStrand, in New Galloway where she will meet arts sector representatives from the west of the region.'
ReplyDeleteUnless New Galloway has been swallowed into the vast metropolis that is Dumfries and no one has told us...yikes
Janet Archer was appointed as CEO of Creative Scotland on July 1st 2013, am I right that in the subsequent year neither she nor any of her senior management team has visited Dumfries and Galloway? (The exception to this being the morning session of the CS Open Consultation session in Langholm that was attended by Janet Archer and Depute CEO Iain Munro).
ReplyDeleteDoes this mean that our worst fears are coming true (http://thecommonty.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/open-letter-on-future-of-arts-in.html) and the shake-up of CS, following the great Stooshie, includes a reversal of the idea of a commitment to an increased geographic spread of arts funding? Actions speak louder than words after all.
In this wider context for us in the South West to be having issues about our regional geography seems insane - over the last 3 years we have grown a powerful and relevant arts scene on deep historical foundations. This is what we must demonstrate to Creative Scotland - not risk appearing a bunch of hicks with banjos.
We should be demanding to know how Janet Archer feels she can speak on behalf of the national arts sector when she has not been to one of its powerhouses.
Hi Fiona,
ReplyDeleteJanet Archer's D&G in a day tour is now up on the Commonty here: http://thecommonty.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/dg-in-day.html
This was a follow up event on from her needing to pull out of November's Fresh Start conference which was instead attended by CS's Director of Communications Kenneth Fowler. A short and sweet reminder of the day here: http://thecommonty.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/the-dg-arts-revolution-is-being.html