Promoters, venues, community groups and performance artists across the region are once again invited to join Scotland’s largest rural performing arts festival for 2016.
Last year, the Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival initiated a guarantee scheme into its programming which enabled 23 organisations, groups and individuals from all corners of the region to put on performance art events as part of the festival programme.
The scheme proved so successful, that the festival has incorporated it into its regular yearly programming and any individual, group or organisation wishing to put on an event in the region during next year’s festival (20 to 29 May 2016) will be eligible to apply to the guarantee scheme which offers financial support and professional advice for their event.
In addition to this, the 2016 festival will be hosting the celebrated Scottish Ensemble who, as well as performing a main concert, will be participating in a four-day residency during the festival period.
They are looking for partners to host them for one of those days. This could take the form of a masterclass, tea dance, small concert and any suggestions should be made welcome.
Pete Renwick, festival programme director, said: “A major role of the festival is to support promoters, venues and community groups based in our region to programme quality performing arts events.
“This year events we supported included theatre, folk, Jazz, poetry, spoken word, live music film scores, puppetry, dance, and early music. We were able to match people looking to tour with people looking to host events, but equally the programme drew on venues’ own networks, programme and event ideas. As a result of these partnerships, the festival was able to reach some of the region’s most remote areas.
“We also encourage proposals from organisations with their own programming ideas. Equally, should you wish to host an event and would like us to recommend touring artists, we will work with you to find a suitable event.”
And young people are also encouraged get involved with the 2016 festival by taking part in a special scheme for the under 26s who are in the process of programming and promoting live arts events.
The festival is looking to include a programme that has been selected by and delivered by young people for young people. This may be of interest to young artists looking to perform live, youth groups looking to stage an exciting event, youth workers looking for activities to carry out with young people.
For acts that do not fit the criteria of the guarantee or young people schemes, the festival also has a popular and lively Fringe.
Last year’s fringe hosted a wealth of vibrant events covering music, drama, literature and even a ghost hunt.Peter added: “The Fringe is a way of opening up the festival and making sure anyone holding a performance art event can have a chance to take part.
“Performance may take the form of the spoken word, music, theatre, comedy and dance.“Benefits to performers will be free publicity including inclusion in our brochure, which has a 15,000 print run; website, print, local press and social media presence.
“For us, this is the opportunity to show off the wealth and diversity of exciting, innovative performing arts talent around the region.”
For detailed information and application packs to take part in next year’s guarantee scheme or Fringe, please visit www.dgartsfestival.org.uk; telephone 01387 259627; or email [email protected]
The festival is always on the look-out for new board members. Anyone interested in playing an active role in Dumfries and Galloway’s longest running festival, is invited to register their interest by contacting the festival office at Gracefield Arts Centre, 28 Edinburgh Road, Dumfries, DG1 1JQ.
