First Meeting of Dumfries and Galloway Cultural Partnership

A Cultural Partnership is being established for Dumfries and Galloway, as recommended in our region’s Cultural Strategy, to support a sector-led vision for culture across our communities. The establishment builds on work undertaken by Culture Radar and marks the culmination of the work of a Steering Group, which has been working to establish the necessary frameworks for this unique and pioneering initiative.

The Partnership brings together partners from across the region’s vibrant and active arts and heritage sector. The first meeting of the Dumfries and Galloway Cultural Partnership took place on Wednesday 4 December 2024. It was chaired by Katharine Wheeler, who was appointed to this independent role in November. Katharine is a creative placemaking/social practice artist who is a well-respected and recognised leader in our region’s cultural sector.

Katharine will be working alongside founding members, Dumfries and Galloway Council, DG Unlimited, Dumfries and Galloway Museums and Heritage Network and South of Scotland Enterprise, to establish Thematic Groups made up of sector workers and representatives to look at areas such as Skills Development, Fair Work, Visitor Economy, Health and Wellbeing.

The Cultural Partnership will work alongside other partners and Thematic Group representatives to spearhead the implementation of our region’s Cultural Strategy. The Strategy, published in March 2022, provides the framework for our culture, creativity and heritage, sector to enhance and to continue to expand its already significant contribution to Dumfries and Galloway’s local economy. A Cultural Sector event is being planned for 29 April April to bring the sector together in helping shape what this looks like for the future. Further details will be shared across the Partnership members’ social media.

What Katharine hopes to bring to the role of Chair for our region’s Cultural Partnership is a perspective on collaboration and cross-sector working that is evolving in Scotland and advocate for the integral value culture has within our communities.

Addressing the members at its first meeting, Katharine said:

“The establishment of the Regional Cultural Partnership signifies a transformational time for our region where arts, culture, and heritage is being recognised as a foundational part of regional development and a significant contributor to other agendas (net zero, community wealth building, health and wellbeing etc.). It is an innovative model of collective decision-making and accountability to our sector to help drive forward a vision of excellence where our region is valued for its unique qualities and programmes of culture.”

Councillor Maureen Johnstone, Chair of the Education, Skills and Community Wellbeing Committee of Dumfries and Galloway Council expressed enthusiasm about Wheeler’s appointment:

“We look forward to Katharine’s leadership over the coming year in developing the Cultural Partnership.”

Councillor Lynne Davis, Vice-Chair of Chair of the Education, Skills and Community Wellbeing Committee of Dumfries and Galloway Council added:

“The next 12 months will be crucial for advancing the Cultural Strategy in our region and we have confidence that Katharine is the right person to fulfil all these opportunities.”

Tabi Mudaliar, Creative Director of DG Unlimited, said:

“As we transition into this new chapter for the Cultural Partnership, the development of the Thematic Groups will allow us to focus on specific areas affecting the sector and to encourage innovative ideas and solutions to emerge.”

Mark Geddes, Creative and Cultural Capital Strategy Manager at South of Scotland Enterprise said:

“The coming year promises to be a period of significant growth and collaboration for the region’s cultural sector, with the potential to make a lasting impact of the economy. I am confident that with Katharine at the helm and the collaboration of major partners within the cultural sector, we will see some significant strides in this area.”

In addition to the Chair, the Partnership is also looking to appoint a Co-ordinator and Administrator to assist in the running of its activities. This is an exciting opportunity for individuals who are passionate about culture within Dumfries and Galloway and supportive of the Partnership’s mission.

The job adverts are set to be published late January. Those who wish to apply for the roles are encouraged to visit dgunlimited.org where they can find information about the application process.