Since February, when we announced that Matt Baker will step down as CEO at the end of June, The Stove has been engaged in a carefully considered transition process working with Matt, Stove team and the Board. This has been a period of deep reflection and strategic thinking across the organisation, laying a strong foundation for the future of leadership at The Stove.
We recognise that moving on from founder-led leadership is a pivotal moment for any organisation. Rather than rushing this transition, we are embracing a deliberate and thoughtful approach that honours our values whilst also maintaining day to day operations.
With guidance from international arts consultant Bob Palmer, this process has allowed us to reflect on what leadership means for us today. It has helped us focus on how to best deliver our current three-year business plan while ensuring the long-term relevance and impact of The Stove—all aligned with our core values of creativity, collaboration, and transparency. Crucially, it has also acknowledged that founder succession is a major milestone—one that requires care, time, and collective input.
Over the past 12 weeks, we have completed a comprehensive review of our immediate operational needs and, by temporarily sharing leadership responsibilities across a dedicated board working group and the senior leadership team, we can hold the space for a more in-depth handover period to fully assess our long-term leadership requirements.
With immediate effect, shared leadership responsibilities will be held by:
Creative Strategy Martin O’Neill, Artistic Director Contact Martin:[email protected]
Operations & Projects Graham Rooney, Operations Director Contact Graham:[email protected]
Finance & People Services Lindsey Smith, Finance Director Contact Lindsey:[email protected]
Governance & Board Matters Lynsey Smith, Chair of the Board of Trustees Contact Lynsey:[email protected]
Partnerships, Networks & Policy Katharine Wheeler, Development Director Contact Katharine:[email protected]
As we move through this important phase, we do so with positivity, openness, and in collaboration with all those involved. We welcome your thoughts and insights as we shape the next chapter for The Stove.
If you have any questions, reflections, or would simply like to connect during this transition period, please don’t hesitate to reach out via [email protected]. While responses may take a little longer than usual, we are committed to open dialogue and will do our best to reply promptly.
When Jodie Barnacle-Best first joined The Stove as a Creative Spaces Associate in 2021, she was just beginning to carve her path in community arts. Fast forward to 2025, and she’s stepping into a major leadership role as Vice Chair of the organisation.
We caught up with Jodie to talk about what this appointment means to her, what she’s most excited about, and how she hopes to shape the future of The Stove with collaboration, care, and creativity at its heart.
Congratulations on your new role! It’s really exciting to see you step into this position, especially as a Creative Spaces Alumni. What inspired you to take on the role of Vice Chair at The Stove?
Thank you! I’ve had the pleasure of sitting on The Stove board since May 2022 and before then was a Creative Spaces associate between 2021-22. The Stove has been such a constant in my career in community arts practice – it really has seen me through a journey of skill, experience and confidence building! As well as being on a journey myself, I feel I have been privy to the growth of The Stove as an organisation. It has been wonderful engaging with and supporting the team over the last 3 years as a board member. I enjoy all things governance and the considerations that go into overseeing strategy, structure, vision and values and it has always been a joy to navigate these topics collectively.
Through my roles in arts organisations in the Central Belt I’ve become used to working closely with other boards as a team member. This role reversal gives me an insight into how Trustees can most effectively support the team and the wider organisation. I’m now in a position with my own career where I feel I have the insight, expertise and capacity to commit even further through my new role as Vice Chair. Playing my small part at The Stove has always been such an honour that I knew I couldn’t turn down the opportunity to contribute even further.
It’s truly inspiring to see a board led by two optimistic and encouraging women. How do you see yourself and Lynsey working together as Chair and Vice Chair in the months ahead?
Lynsey and I started on The Stove board at around similar times, so I’ve had the privilege of getting to know her personally and working alongside her for a few years. Lynsey’s approach as Chair over the last year has really inspired and encouraged me to step out and put myself forward as Vice Chair. She leads by listening, encouraging others, is always willing to reflect and adapt and has an epic amount of experience under her belt (so she gives great advice). Not only do I feel we have a shared vision for The Stove, I believe, more importantly, we have shared ideas surrounding process and principles. We both strongly believe in the importance of putting people first.
Undoubtedly, we will work closely together, sharing and supporting each other to fulfil our potential in these roles. While we have many similarities, I’m excited by how our different approaches, experiences and perspectives will be of use to The Stove!
Jodie Barnacle-Best at Caerlaverock Castle
You’re just beginning this journey, but do you have any key aims or priorities you’d like to focus on as Vice Chair in the coming months and years?
It is an incredible time to become Vice Chair as we look to a change in leadership in the next few months. Alongside the rest of the board and the Stove team, I’ll be focused on ensuring this transition is as smooth as possible. While change can be daunting, it brings with it immense opportunities which I am excited to help The Stove make the most of.
Adding to this immediate focus, I am interested in exploring ways to make being a board member more accessible to a variety of people. I am particularly keen to further develop relationships in the region and find exciting and meaningful ways to bring greater local resident and youth representation into Stove governance and decision making.
As the youngest member of the board in its current iteration, are there any particular messages, objectives, or initiatives you’re passionate about championing—especially for young people in the region?
I am really proud of being a young board member, having joined the board at 24 years old and now being 27. It is unusual to see youth representation on boards and I am passionate about considering how more youth voices can be heard at a strategic level. Boards aren’t often appealing to young people and there are often considerable barriers to entry. I’ve always enjoyed my time on the board and felt welcome and empowered within my role. I am keen to develop pathways and support mechanisms within governance structures within The Stove to increase youth engagement at this decision-making level.
I am in awe of the incredible creative work undertaken by young people in the region – it truly is a fantastic community of exciting, innovative and driven creative talent covering visual arts, theatre, music, creative facilitation and production and more! Creative Spaces Producer Mia Osborne continues to create enormous impact through her roles across the region and I look forward to amplifying and championing all the work of the Creative Spaces team.
I am always open to talking further about any Stove related topics, but am particularly always open to chatting about opportunities and thoughts regarding creative practice when it comes to young people in the region – please do reach out!
For those who may not be familiar with The Stove, how do you describe its impact and importance to Dumfries?
In my conversations across Scotland, it is not often that I am asked to describe the impact and importance of The Stove as the work by the incredible team is already widely well recognised and respected. However, I am always delighted to amplify this when I have the chance! I am very proud of the national and international impact of The Stove leading the way as a model of good practice in creative placemaking and cultural community strategy amongst many other things.
On a local level, The Stove’s venue programme is extensive, varied and inspiring. It brings life and light to Dumfries High St and provides an incredible opportunity for people in the region to get creative and to get together. On a personal level, The Stove has had an immense influence on my creative journey as a part of the team and now a part of the board. It is a great nurturing environment and has set a high bar in how I expect to feel as part of an organisation!
Jodie’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment for The Stove, with a major leadership transition just around the corner. We’re delighted to work alongside her as we continue to shape a vibrant, collaborative future for The Stove and the wider region.
Location The Stove, Dumfries Position Freelance, Part Time Application Deadline Wednesday 26th March 2025, 9am
The Role
This five month residency offers a creative freelancer the opportunity to develop and deliver visual and public art in and around The Stove buildings. As the Artist/Maker in Residence, you will lead the Conversing Building programme by designing engaging displays that activate public spaces. You will also play a key role in our soon-to-be-launched Print House/Workshop, supporting its creative operations, and providing hands-on artistic and practical support for The Stove team and café. This flexible, part time role is ideal for a working artist who thrives in collaboration, enjoys experimenting with different media, and is passionate about community-driven art.
The Artist/Maker in Residence will have three key roles:
Leading the Conversing Building Programme Designing and installing creative displays that activate The Stove’s public spaces and spark dialogue around key themes such as regeneration, nature, and underrepresented voices.
Residency in the Print House/Workshop Engaging with the community print space, supporting its operation, and collaborating with other creatives using the facility.
Maker in Residence at The Stove Providing hands-on creative support for The Stove’s team, café, and wider projects, contributing to both practical and artistic outputs.
Rate of Pay and Hours
This role pays £150 per day for an average of 7 days per month for a period of 5 months from 5th May to 3rd October. The Artist/Maker in Residence will be expected to attend a full team meeting on Monday mornings at 9.30 for one hour (blended meeting) all other hours will be by negotiation according to project needs and availabilities.
To apply for this role, please submit a CV and cover letter, detailing your interest in this role and working with The Stove, as well as your relevant skills, experience, and knowledge. In addition, three examples of your work as an Artist/Maker.
Deadline Wednesday 26th March 2025 at 9AM Interviews Thursday 10th April 2025
Applying in a Way That Works for You
We want our application process to be as inclusive and accessible as possible. We welcome you to communicate with us in whatever way feels most comfortable and natural to you. If you have any questions—about the application, the role, or anything else—please don’t hesitate to get in touch at [email protected]
We are delighted to share that The Stove has been awarded Multi-Year Funding by Creative Scotland for the period of April 2025–April 2028. We are honoured to be part of the national portfolio of cultural organisations in Scotland for the third time. This decision feels like a true affirmation of the work we do.
The significant growth of funded organisations in our region demonstrates how fundamental the arts are to life and work in Dumfries & Galloway. We are proud to stand alongside six other creative organisations in the region—DG Arts Festival, Upland CIC, CatStrand, Wigtown Festival Company, CAMPLE LINE, and Paragon Music—who are all making valuable contributions to the cultural, social, and economic well-being of Scotland’s communities.
The Stove, as it stands today, has evolved from a conversation in a bar in 2011 among a group of artists. Our hope then remains the same as it is now: to use creativity and the arts to shape the future of our town. Collaboration has always been at the heart of our vision, and we dedicate this recent success to everyone we’ve worked with—the community across the region, the incredibly talented network of freelancers, and, of course, our members.
We’ve taken time to publish our message of thanks and gratitude for Creative Scotland’s support out of respect for the many organisations across Scotland who have not received the outcome they had hoped for. We acknowledge the challenges that lie ahead for many of these organisations who undoubtedly invested a tremendous amount of time and energy into the application process. As we stated previously in our response to the closure of Creative Scotland’s Open Project Fund, we stand in solidarity with creatives everywhere, as well as with public and third-sector workers, and offer our support in any way we can.
Looking ahead to the next three years, with the stability provided by this funding, we are pleased to continue with our ambitious plans. The Stove’s original mission for Dumfries—enabling creativity and creative people to make a positive contribution to the town and surrounding communities—has now expanded into a region-wide endeavour. Over the next three years, we will focus on delivering community-embedded arts practices with the communities of Dumfries, as well as advancing regional creative placemaking and creative sector development:
We’d like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the continued support from all our much-valued funders and partners, who enable our ongoing mission for Dumfries & Galloway.
When we look back on 2024 from a distance in years to come, there is no doubt that for many, it will be remembered as a tragically difficult year, one marked by events beyond their control. From the heartbreaking loss of life and destruction in Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan, to the relentless exploitation of populations by autocratic regimes in countries like Russia, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe, to the rise of divisive populist leaders spreading hate in the US, Hungary, Scandinavia, and Germany. The question we face now is whether this period will be remembered as a descent into deeper human self-destruction—or whether we can pull back from the brink. These are big and daunting questions—almost overwhelming when viewed from the perspective of our daily lives in a small corner of the world.
At The Stove, we’ve always approached such challenges by ‘digging where we stand’—focusing on making a positive impact within the world we can influence with the hope that multiple local efforts can, over time, connect and grow into something much larger. Our work is about involving people, connecting ideas, and using creativity to empower individuals to have a voice in the world around them, and to make positive change in their lives and communities. I believe this approach is foundational to pushing back against the rise of populism in our country, and perhaps it can serve as an example to others. Populism thrives on feelings of exclusion and disconnection—allowing manipulative leaders to exploit alienation and sow division. But we can resist this by doing the opposite: by including, involving, and creating opportunities for people to engage in positive change in the world around them.
These are big thoughts for the end of a tough year, but hopefully they can serve as a strong base for the new year. This requires collaboration and connection with other groups and individuals striving for a common goal. None of us can do this alone.
Looking back on 2024, I hope we can take pride in the small steps we are making in this big world. This year, we’ve hosted 264 public activities, reaching a total audience of 10,417 and engaging 6,835 active participants. We’ve also awarded 178 contracts to creative freelancers, totalling £187,000—42% of which were to people we had not commissioned before, and 31% to individuals under 25.
As we reflect on these figures and the impact of our work, we are reminded of the vital role that creativity plays in creating change. At our AGM earlier this month, we shared highlights from the past year and our ambitions for the year to come:
Looking ahead to 2025, like many Scottish arts organisations, we are awaiting Creative Scotland’s Multi-Year Funding decision at the end of January with a mix of nervousness and hope. Whatever the outcome, we’ll make the best of it and are excited about the key initiatives we’ve planned for the year ahead.
It just remains to say a huge thank you, from all of us at The Stove, to everyone we’ve had the pleasure of working with this year—whether a participant, a collaborator, a partner (local, national, or international), a Stove member or supporter, or a Trustee. We deeply value every connection and are continually inspired by the commitment and passion of all those we work alongside.
Wishing you all peace and happiness as we welcome the new year, however you choose to celebrate. Here’s to another year of positivity, collaboration, and mutual support.
On 6th November, we had the privilege of leading a significant discussion at the Scottish Parliament, which focused on the power of Creative Placemaking. For us, this event marked a milestone in our ongoing mission to use creativity as a catalyst for positive change in communities. Co-hosted by local MSPs, from the South of Scotland, Emma Harper and Colin Smyth, the evening brought together artists, community leaders, policymakers, and funders from both Scotland and Ireland to explore how creative initiatives are reshaping local communities.
Over 70 individuals attended, each eager to share ideas and explore how creativity can drive cultural regeneration. We were able to share some insights from our Creative Placemaking Approach—published in partnership with South of Scotland Enterprise—and to highlight the work of the What We Do Nownetwork, which serves as a support structure for community-driven creative projects, connecting people and organisations that are committed to cultural regeneration.
It was encouraging to see MSPs Clare Adamson, Claire Baker, Ariane Burgess, and Maggie Chapman at the event, showing just how important cross-sector collaboration is in advancing the role of culture in society.
Emma Harper MSP, Colin Smyth MSP
Culture in Communities: Sharing Stories from the Grassroots
The success of the event was deeply embedded in the contribution from the people and their stories, reflections and experiences of creative placemaking in action. Maureen Kennelly, Director of Arts Council Ireland, Helen Trew, Co-Director of Art27 Scotland, and Rosie Lynch, Creative Director of Workhouse Union (Co. Kilkenny), joined us in discussing a wide range of innovative cultural projects, all of which are driving meaningful, positive change in communities.
What was truly special about this discussion was the diversity of ideas and experiences shared. We opened the floor to the audience, inviting them to share their own ideas and experiences, creating an inclusive dialogue that reflected the spirit of creative placemaking itself.
Maureen Kennelly, Arts Council IrelandHelen Trew, Art27 ScotlandRosie Lynch, Workhouse Union (Co. Kilkenny)
The Power of Creativity: Building Cross-Sector Partnerships
One of the central themes that emerged throughout the evening was the transformative power of creativity – how the arts and culture can forge cross-sector partnerships, foster long-term community transformation, and create real social impact. We focused on how culture can improve public health, inform community planning, and unlock new opportunities within the cultural sector.
Reflecting on the Energy in the Room
As the conversation unfolded, it was clear that creative projects hold tremendous potential to address urgent challenges—from public health and regeneration to social well-being. However, it also became evident that to fully harness this potential, we need better support from policymakers, more resources for creative initiatives, and a concerted effort to remove barriers to creative growth.
Moving Forward: Shared Purpose and Momentum
As the event came to a close, there was a strong sense of unity and momentum in the room. Attendees shared a collective determination to advocate for the resources, networks, and policies that will enable creative placemaking to continue thriving across Scotland and beyond.
We left the Scottish Parliament feeling energised and committed to continuing the conversation. The evening’s discussions reaffirmed our belief in the power of collaboration, and we are excited to keep working with others across sectors to expand the reach and impact of creative placemaking. It’s clear that this is just the beginning.
Watch the Full Session:
We invite you to join the conversation and share your thoughts on social media using the hashtag #CultureInCommunities.
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