Are you driven and passionate about giving a voice to young creative practitioners; do you believe in making arts accessible to young audiences; do you  have an interest in arts organisations, charities and the Third Sector? If that sounds familiar, we’d like to hear from you.

Supported by the Holywood Trust, DG Unlimited (DGU) is looking for an inspiring 18–25 year old currently connected into the cultural pulse of the region to become our Youth Arts Advocate (YAA) for 2020/21.  

Working alongside our pARTners group, DGU commissioned the development of a Youth Arts Strategy Framework (YASF) to help us:

• Get a better idea of what was already provided for young people involved or interested in the arts across the region;
• Find out the things stopping more young people from getting involved.  

DGU has always seen this as the start of a longer term journey and genuinely believes the best person to give a voice to the young people of our region must be - young!   Our YAA is a paid, commissioned role with a daily fee of £92.50 plus reasonable travel costs – we believe in valuing creative practitioners’ time and experience at whatever stage of their creative development.   

What will our Youth Arts Advocate do?
 
Our YAA will be contracted 1 day per week over 20 months/80 weeks and will be expected to :

• Familiarize themselves with our YASF and report.

• Work with our pARTners group, identify one or two key recommendations from the YASF and explore ways in which to develop and promote them.
• Meet up with young artists across the region to promote and actively achieve the agreed key recommendations.
• Share their own and other young people’s experiences and opinions on key areas identified from the YASF via blogs, vlogging, attending events and conferences, responding to policy, writing articles.
• Use initiative to recognise and flag up opportunities and partnerships which help build on the recommendations of  YASF and reflect the needs of young people.

Why Be Involved?
 
DGU values diversity and does not discriminate, welcoming applications from as diverse a range of young people as possible.  The opportunity will enable you to:

• Be part of the conversation that looks to encourage fairer access to the arts for young people, as creators and audience members;
• Build your profile and provide an opportunity to evidence your professional development for future projects;
• Be connected to a wide network of creative organisations, local government staff and other key organisations.

 
What are we looking for?
 
We are looking for our YAA to reach out and act as a connector between young people, DGU and those who support the creative sector.  Get in touch if you:

• Have a minimum of 2 years-experience as a creative practitioner, working/volunteering within an arts organisation or working/volunteering at arts events and festivals;
• Are self-motivated, with an ability to work on your own initiative, be part of a small team and work to deadlines;
• Are able to  speak at meetings or events and provide regular verbal and written updates to the DGU freelance team, our stakeholders and the wider public;
• Are able to take a proactive approach in contacting, networking and supporting young people get involved in the arts;
• Have good time-management and admin/organisational skills, including the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint or similar software/publishing packages;
• Are very familiar with IT, social media, the web.
• Are able to get around the region.

 
For more information or to request an expression of interest form, please email comms.dgu@gmail.com . 
 
How to Apply
 
Completed expression of interest forms should be submitted to comms.dgu@gmail.com before 12 midnight on Friday 28th February – make it as creative as you are; Be Unlimited!
 
We will inform shortlisted applicants on Monday 2nd March, meet with all those shortlisted on Friday 6th March and have our Youth Arts Advocate in place by  week beginning 16th March.

Are you involved in the arts and/or arts development? Do you want to help lead Dumfries & Galloway’s creative sector into a bright and sustainable future? 

If this description fits, then ‘Leaders Unlimited 2020’ is the Professional Development programme for you. Applications are now invited from creatives interested in applying for a fully funded place on ‘Leaders Unlimited 2020’.

What is ‘Leaders Unlimited 2020’? 
Our programme is not a formal educational experience - we are offering a unique training course based around personal and creative development, leadership skills and mentoring. In ‘Leadership Unlimited 2020’, we’ve developed a creative, engaging, and fun programme that will be facilitated by members of the DG Unlimited team and delivered by a range of artists, creative professionals and partners. The course will run over 6 months, with a commitment from participants to attend one full-day session per month as well as completing agreed self-generated assignments in between sessions.
The programme consists of -

• Working 1-2-1 with a mentor
• 6 x Workshops combined with
• 6 x ‘Go-to-see’ visits
• 1 Residential workshop
• Self-led learning
• Group work
• Creative mini projects
• Peer education
• Partner networking
• Information sharing

As well as bespoke support, our workshops will cover 6 essential leadership qualities including, Creativity and innovation, Confidence and inspiration, Accountability and inclusivity. On the ‘Go to see visits’ we’ll take you to some of our most inspiring creative spots, galleries, and community arts and creative projects, to make connections and build networks, learn from others, and be inspired. We will also be offering 6 ‘Next Level’ Workshops which will cover essential skills like, financial record keeping, social media, event planning, marketing, and more.
 
 
What’s in it for you?

• Individual benefit – By the end of ‘Leaders Unlimited 2020’ you will have developed a range of creative leadership skills including; leading with confidence and inspiring others, how to engage and empower teams, project planning, developing funding bids, building teams of volunteers, and more. The course includes a personal Creative Diary which will be your creative learning tool for recording your ongoing learning, ideas, and personal leadership goals. We’ll also present you with a Leaders Unlimited Certificate to mark your participation on the course.
• You’ll be part of a growing, vibrant network of creative leaders who connect, share their experiences, discover new approaches and champion the region’s diverse creative sector.

 
Who can apply?
We’re looking for 10 creatives living and working right here in Dumfries and Galloway.

• 3 places for 18 – 25 years: Emerging artists, creative practitioners, arts administrators or project officers with at least 1-year volunteering or working experience in a creative practice or an arts or creative organisation in Dumfries and Galloway.
• 7 places for 26 + years: Established artists, creative practitioners, arts administrators or project managers with at least 3yrs experience working as a professional artist or within an arts or creative organisation, and who can demonstrate a track record of commitment to the arts in Dumfries and Galloway.

Places are fully funded through DGU’s Creatives Unlimited Project, with support from Creative Scotland, the Holywood Trust and Dumfries & Galloway Council.

How to apply - Complete our expression of interest form, add a brief resume of your background and experience, and include a short creative personal statement about your aspirations as a creative leader within your area of expertise and make it as creative as you are! It can be creatively written or illustrated … be Unlimited!
​
To request an expression of interest form please email comms.dgu@gmail.com
Submit your completed forms, personal statement, and resume by 14th February 2020 and send to comms.dgu@gmail.com

2 freelance commissions are available:

Membership Officer: a part-time role (up to 12 days per month) until March 2020, renewable subject to continued funding.
The aim of this five-month commission is to provide DGU with:

• A membership recruitment strategy and lead on its implementation;
• Effective means of communication with its membership, stakeholders, media and general public;
• Efficient event management skills;
• Administrative support for the Board of Trustees and DGU team;
• Administration of two awards programmes (Regional Arts Fund, Innovate Create Cultivate).
  

Creative Producer: a part-time role (up to 100 days) until July 2020.
The aim of this commission is to:

• Support the Arts Development Director and Programmes Manager in developing ‘Creatives Unlimited’ and other time limited projects that promote and advance the region’s creative community.
• Work closely with the Membership Officer in managing the administration, co-ordination and operational delivery of ‘Creatives Unlimited’ and other time limited projects.

The closing date for both commissions is 5pm on Monday 11th November, with interviews expected to take place on Thursday 14th November in Dumfries.

To receive full details on either commission, please email comms.dgu@gmail.com

Upland are looking for a part-time Project Assistant to join their team. The contract is for 16 hours per week (2 days) The successful candidate should be able to start the week beginning 4th November 2019 with the contract running until 31st October 2020. The rate of pay is £19,000 pa pro rata (£7,600 per annum for 2 days per week). Working days are negotiable but two consecutive days per week would be preferable, however, flexible hours can be discussed as can home working at points. This post may expand to 3 days per week, but this is funding dependent (pending a decision in October) and can be discussed with applicants at interview stage.

The Project Assistant will provide administrative support to the Creative Director on a new outreach project exploring the history of Langholm’s Textile Industry. This project includes an artist residency, commission, schools project and associated events such as talks and workshops. This element of the post will cover one day per week. The second day will see the Project Assistant support across a range of Upland’s other projects, carrying out related programming, marketing and administrative functions with support from the Creative Director and Assistant Director including youth projects, Upland exhibitions and public art.

Download an application form here...

"The Guild of Players Youth Theatre is in an exciting phase of development and any Freelance Tutors will play a vital part in this process ensuring the delivery of engaging and innovative theatre workshops.  Freelance Tutors will be working under the management of the theatre’s Education and Youth Engagement Officer and alongside a team of Volunteer Chaperones and Volunteer Creative Assistants. "

The Youth Theatre Tutor will: 

• Plan and deliver a high standard of weekly workshops and reflect on their outcomes. 
  
  
• Work with the Education and Youth Engagement Officer and other Youth Theatre Tutors to plan a cohesive programme including termly showcases. 
  
• Provide a positive, creative and safe environment for participants. 
  

• Work alongside Volunteer Chaperones and Volunteer Creative Assistants to support all workshops, manage attendance, and report accordingly.  
  
• Direct or Assistant Direct additional productions as agreed with the Education and Youth Engagement Officer. 
  
• Follow and implement The Guild of Players Code of Practice and Child Protection policy. 
  

The fee for the Youth Theatre Tutor varies depending on the group and number of sessions agreed. To be paid at the end of each term on submission of an invoice. An additional fee for any work undertaken as part of a production will be agreed.  DEADLINE - FRIDAY 9TH AUGUST 2019 AT 5pm

FULL DETAILS HERE...

Following a successful 40th Anniversary programme, Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival (DGAF) is recruiting a new Director with the vision and imagination to lead the future development of Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival and Arts Live.

Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival is the largest rural Performing Arts Festival in Scotland. It has been running a highly successful Festival each May since 1979. In addition to the Festival, it now works with a network of local promoters, venues and community groups to provide high quality performances all year round, under the banner Dumfries & Galloway Arts Live.

This is a full-time (35 hours per week), permanent position based at Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival Office, Gracefield Arts Centre, Dumfries. Salary is circa £30k . The deadline for applications is 20th August.

Find out more...

The Saltire Society Literary Awards relies on their panels of expert judges to help them recognise and celebrate the best of literature in Scotland, from debut work to poetry. They are looking for individuals who have a passion for literature and experience as authors, editors, readers, librarians, critics, booksellers, or other members of the literary community to form our panels of independent and impartial judges for our Fiction, First Book, Non-Fiction and Poetry Awards. The deadline for applying to be on the panel is 26th July.

If you are interested,  full details on how to apply to be on the panel are here...

The ScottishPower Foundation are now accepting applications for funding in 2020. All applications should be made through the online application process, and submitted by no later than 1pm on Wednesday 24th July 2019.

Applications are open to projects that meet one of the following aims (1) the advancement of education; (2) the advancement of environmental protection; (3) the advancement of the arts, heritage, culture or science; (4) the prevention or relief of poverty and the relief of those in need by reason of disability or other disadvantage; and (5) the advancement of citizenship and community development.

There is set criteria for eligibility : (1) you are a charity registered with one of the UK Charity Commissions; (2) you have an active board of at least three unrelated trustees; (3) you have at least one year of published accounts covering a twelve month operating period that show as received on the relevant Charity Commission website; and (4) your income in the last set of published accounts was greater than £50,000.

For full information and to apply, please visit ScottishPower Foundation's webpage here...

Live Borders has an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated individual to become the Senior Creative Communities & Funding Officer. Managing a small, but dynamic team, they are looking for someone who has experience of securing funding from public, private and/or independent sources. The salary is £27,586 - £30,651 per annum (Grade 8) for a fixed term 12 month contract and for  37 hours per week. The deadline for applications is 5pm on 26th July and you can find the application form on their jobs page here...