£847,250 of National Lottery Funding has been awarded to 41 recipients through Creative Scotland’s Open Project Fund.  Among the recipients is Penpont-based author and poet Hugh McMillan.

The poet has received an Open Project award, to enable him to research and write a book called Littoral, about the coasts of Galloway, Isle of Man, north and western Ireland, north west England, the Isle of Man, Wales, Kintyre, Morvern and the Inner Hebrides.

McMillan, formerly a teacher at Annan Academy and Dumfries Academy, has received several bursaries from the Scottish Arts Council and Creative Scotland, and in 2014 was awarded the very first literature commission by the Wigtown Book Festival to create a work inspired by the 19th Century work 'The Scottish Gallovidian Encyclopaedia' by John Mactaggart.

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DG Unlimited held its 2018 conference at GG’s Yard, Laggan on Wednesday December 5th.
 
This day-long event  provided a forum for exchanging news and views, showcasing contemporary creative practice and sharing practical information. 

The packed programme included keynote speeches from Jim Buchanan, labyrinth maker and artist, and Catriona McGhie of the DG Arts Festival. There were live music performances, a spoken word performance delivered by Sue McCormick, acclaimed actor, writer and director, and ‘small-talk’ sessions where local creative practitioners and activists  discussed their experiences.

As 2018 is the Year of Young People, the conference also featured a call to action, led by Abby Gray of the National Youth Arts Advisory Board, and some of the region’s young people, based on the findings of a recent region-wide Youth Framework consultation.
 
This year’s conference also featured a Spotlight and Showcase zone, where groups and organisations involved in the creative sector can meet with delegates to share their ideas, work and services.

Read more about Creative Routes 2018.