DG Unlimited
DG Unlimited is a member-led charity promoting the arts in D+G. As part of this work it is currently supporting the Commonty.
It encourages anyone involved in the region’s vibrant creative sector to join and get involved with shaping the future. It also offers great opportunities for networking. To see our what DGU stands for and believes download a copy of our manifesto.
The charity advocates on behalf of the arts in D+G to Dumfries and Galloway Council, Creative Scotland, other arts bodies, other sectors in society (such as health, education, economy, environment). It makes recommendations on behalf of the arts sector on D+G, is able to draw down and distribute funding on behalf of the arts sector in D+G, is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation.
It operates under the name DG Unlimited but its registered name is The Dumfries and Galloway Chamber of the Arts.
DGU has a Regional Arts Hub at its heart, four Area Arts Hubs and Area Arts Convenors, a Regional Policy and Development Co-Ordinator and a Board of Trustees.
If you would like to join email Matthew Shelley at MJHshelley@hotmail.co.uk for a membership form or download from the website. You then need to sign and return electronically or to the postal address.
Contacts:
Area Arts Convenors
Annandale & Eskdale: Alan Thomson - AnnandaleEskdale@dgunlimited.com or alan.thomson25@gmail.com
Nithsdale: Belle Doyle - Nithsdale@dgunlimited.com or belledoyle01@gmail.com
Stewartry: Cate Ross - Stewartry@dgunlimited.com or cateliza@rocketmail.com
Wigtownshire: Sid Ambrose - Wigtownshire@dgunlimited.com or sidambroseproductions@gmail.com
Alan Thomson is also the Regional Policy and Development Co-Ordinator.
Regional Arts Hub (RAH)
The Regional Arts Hub is one of the key groups in DGU, The Commonty is one of means that The RAH works through - please follow this link for more about the RAH
DG Unlimited Trustees
Cathy Agnew
Jim Tildesley
Judith Johnson
Amanda Herries
Dr Valentina Bold
Dr Janet Brennan
Bea Last
Background:
DG Unlimited has been developed through the voluntary efforts of the arts sector in Dumfries and Galloway working in partnership with Dumfries and Galloway and Creative Scotland - principally through the Creative Scotland 'Place Partnership' initiative.
At the outset the process was entirely led by the voluntary efforts of the sector - this resulted in a prototype version of what was then called The Chamber. Then the Fresh Start consultancy team was appointed to assess the prototype and make recommendations about a sustainable version of the structure for the future. Finally, the version recommended by consultants was accepted and established. This has grown into DG Unlimited.
It was a long and exciting process of innovation, frustration and discovery for all involved. The Commonty tells the entire story of the development of DGU through diary blogposts from March 2011 - here (being a blog the information runs from 'newest to oldest')
Fresh Start for the Arts in D+G
This was the consultancy project set up to assess the sector's prototype arts-led structure and make recommendations for future implementation and development - the Fresh Start website is here
Regional Convention - the launch event for the new regional arts structure in November 2013
Governance and more details - transcript of Jim Tildesley's presentation on governance etc of the original Chamber of the Arts
Posts on the Commonty about DG Unlimited
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ReplyDeleteThere's a purely visual clue in the diagram to what I think is a central omission and points to something without which the new structure remains hierarchical, despite what it says on the tin. At the top there are some very dodgy looking blue arrows showering down from above the commissions, money in other words, on a grateful region.
ReplyDeleteWhat about introducing another, much healthier element in the mix by involving the business and commercial sector in the regional arts scene. This may not be an easy matter but I believe that it should be started as soon as possible, on the principle that we, that is the creative community, the business/commercial community as well as the local and central government must all assume civic responsibility for, and ownership of, our cultural environment.
The Chamber/Hub structure can easily facilitate this, perhaps it's already in the plan, but if it isn't I propose that it is.
And I'll gladly work on it if it's adopted.
Mark Zygadlo