Now in its fifth year, D-Lux Festival of Light-based Art has announced a beefed-up range of paid internships for young people aged 25 and under.
The team that brought the hugely popular game-based D-LUX ARCADE festivals to the town centre in 2019 and 2020 are on the hunt for enthusiastic young people to help run a series of light-based interventions across the darker months.
Four roles are available – two technical internships, plus an events and a producer intern. The positions will run intermittently over 6-8 months from November and will involve work around a range of separate projects based in and around Dumfries town centre. Between events, interns will be involved in planning, design, public engagement, marketing and project management activities, with ongoing training, learning tasks, mentoring and support from D-Lux staff and others.
“We looked long and hard at how we could run a full festival in January,” says Technical Director John Wallace, “but with the current restrictions around COVID19 and the free-to-attend, open-access nature of our what we do, we just didn’t feel that would be possible this time around.”
Instead, the intention is to run a series of standalone ‘interventions’ in the town centre for people to enjoy as they pass through. Operating in this way will allow D-Lux to develop covid-safe working methods, staff skills, content and exhibits they hope will become part of a full return in 2022.
“What most people don’t see is that a big part of we exist to do is to create paid learning roles for young people in technical and events production disciplines. This year, with so many events cancelled or postponed, we felt it was more important than ever to offer these kinds of opportunities – it’s been tough for everybody, but especially those just starting out in the events sector and creative industries.”
“Our funders and supporters have been amazing – really fantastic in fact,” says John. “All of them understood what we’re trying to do in this difficult time, so huge thanks to Holywood Trust, The People’s Project, D&Gß Council, SP Energy Networks, and all our festival partners.”
Those interested should check www.d-lux.org.uk for more details and respond by 26th October.
