Support Us

Category: Opportunities

Categories
News Opportunities

New Role: Communications & Marketing Manager

#image_title

This position is now closed.

The Stove is looking for someone to bring a campaign and story-led communications/marketing approach to the multi-disciplinary team which incubates and crafts the work of the organisation.

Communication is critical to the creative placemaking practice of The Stove, the person we are seeking will lead The Stove Communications Team and drive innovation in external and internal comms to a wide range of participants, stakeholders and audiences.

We are open to the widest diversity of people and approaches – what is critical for us is that you have the potential to be part of the unique blend of personalities and talents at The Stove.

ABOUT THE STOVE

The Stove is a creatively-led organisation with a national and international reputation as a leader in community-embedded arts practice based in Southwest Scotland. We were the first artist-led community development trust in the UK and deliver high-quality activity uniquely integrated with an activist approach which supports local people to shape the places they live and work.

We work across our home region of Dumfries and Galloway as one of the UK’s leading exponents of Creative Placemaking – using creativity as a tool to support community-led change.

Our work has a particular focus on people experiencing disadvantage/inequality, and young people, and engages with the widest possible range of people on issues relevant to their lives in ways that can make a lasting difference.

The Stove is based on the High Street in Dumfries, where we operate a Community Venue, delivering a programme of activities/projects from large-scale community events/festivals to regular groups/workshops. In 2022-23 we delivered 264 unique public events with a combined audience of 8344 and 5703 people actively participating in events/ workshops.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Money and Conditions

The Communications and Marketing Manager is a full-time role at a salary ranging from £28,000 – £32,000 PA depending on experience, talent and potential.

The role is based in Dumfries and will involve travel across the region, nationally and internationally. A commitment to localised economies is at the forefront of our practice and as such it is a condition of this role to be based within Dumfries and Galloway to undertake it.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

  • Implementation of Marketing/PR and Communications Strategy & Brand Management of The Stove. This includes a number of key Stove initiatives which function as sub-brands e.g. What We Do Now, Creative Stranraer, Creative Spaces and Wild Goose Festival.
  • Campaign design and planning to support the development of creative projects and organisational aims/objectives
  • Oversight of all Stove online assets
  • Oversee delivery of marketing & PR projects (Digital: email, website, social media, partnership channels)
  • Create and curate compelling content, including posts, articles, videos, and graphics support Stove projects and initiatives
  • Contributing to planning and delivery of community engagement (inc Stove membership) processes for projects and organisational aims/objectives
  • Managing Stove recruitment processes
  • Line management of Marketing Officer and Web & Data Manager

For more information and for further details of this role, download the full application pack below:

DOWNLOAD THE FULL APPLICATION PACK HERE

Application Process

We want you to communicate yourself and your approach to us in the way that is best for you. There are no rules to the application process beyond the following, we need to:

  • Have your final submission by the 26th August and send to [email protected]
  • Get an understanding of your experience, skills and potential
  • Hear about your interest in role and how you would approach it
  • Receive nothing from you that is bigger than 10MB
  • Interview dates will be 12 & 13th September, by applying for this role you are declaring yourself available for these dates.

We are open to communication from you in whatever form is comfortable and natural to you. If you have any questions about this, or anything else please do not hesitate to get in touch.

It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too. Wherever you’re from, and whatever your background, we want to hear from you.

Access Requirements

If you have any access requirements at any stage of the selection process please contact Lindsey Smith ([email protected]  01387 252435)

OPTIONAL EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FORM

Categories
News Opportunities

Join the Creative Spaces Class of 2024

#image_title

The Creative Spaces Project is looking for three new recruits to join its programme for 2024.

This is a paid opportunity for young creatives aged between 16 and 30, to join The Stove team on a part-time basis, for a fixed period of 10 months.

ABOUT THE ROLES

Fee: £672 per month (For each successful candidate)

Hours: Part-time, two days per week (14 hours)

Duration: 10 months, fixed term (Successful applicants will begin their contract on the week beginning 29th July, 2024.)

Contract Type: Freelance

Criteria: Applicants must be aged between 16-30 and have some form of creative practice, project or idea you would like to develop.

Deadline for applications: Monday 1st July at 12 noon

Based at The Stove Network in Dumfries, Creative Spaces works with young creatives from across the region providing a stepping stone into the arts and the world of being a creative freelancer.

Every year, Creative Spaces recruits three ‘Associate Artists’ t o complete a 10-month creative development programme where you will learn t o grow your creative interests, work with the Creative Spaces Team on various projects & events, and with guidance, will learn to develop your own personal project*.

Creative Spaces aims to build up and support Dumfries & Galloway’s creative scene. We d o this through putting o n events, hosting workshops, offering mentorships, and providing learning opportunities and networking connections to help people build their skills as creatives.

These opportunities aren’t just for people already working in the creative sector and you don’t have t o be an ‘established artist’, have a degree or previous experience to apply.

The Creative Spaces programme is designed to offer you the chance to explore the creative industries and try and find your
place.

Download the full application pack here
Download the clear text version here

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR

DESIRED EXPERIENCE

  • Good written and verbal communication skills
  • IT and media skills (e.g. using emails, word etc)
  • Interest and/or experience in t h e creative industries and community work Interest and / or experience in working with other people
  • Ability to self-manage your own workflow

PERSON SPECIFICATION

  • Adaptable
  • Engaging
  • Creative

COMMITMENTS

  • Time commitments will include a combination of regular hours (to be determined by team availability) and some flexible working across projects (evenings, weekend work).
  • You’ll be required to attend weekly meetings and take part in project development and delivery of work across our programme:
  • 1 x Fixed day per week based in The Stove (either on Tuesday or Thursday)
  • 1x Flexible day per week (either working from home or in The Stove)
  • Weekly Creative Spaces meetings with Creative Spaces Producer Weekly Projects meeting (With the full StoveTeam)

HOW TO APPLY

Deadline for applications: Monday 1st July at 12 noon

Please submit your application by email to [email protected] (max file size of 10MB) with the heading Creative Spaces – Associate

Feel free to be creative with your application. We’ll accept any of the following formats, but please remember to let us know:

  • Why do you think joining the Creative Spaces programme will benefit you?
  • Why do you think now is the right time to apply to this programme?
  • What do you hope to achieve?
  • Please include brief details surrounding a project you would like to pursue as part of Creative Spaces (this could be a series of workshops, an event or any other creative output).*

*Please note that this idea is just so we can understand the kind of areas you may be interested in and any projects you wish to pursue. This is not a final idea that you have to take forward.

APPLICATION FORMATS:

We’ll accept any of the following formats:

  • Covering Letter (no more than 500 words)
  • Video (no more than 3 mins)
  • Image pack or portfolio (10MB or less)
  • Voice note

Just make sure that you include a CV or text sheet with your name, contact details and a few examples of recent work (this could be images, videos or write-ups).

Download the full application pack here
Download the clear text version here

It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too. Wherever you’re from, and whatever your background, we want to hear from you.

optional Equal opportunities from
Categories
Opportunities

Artist Commission Opportunity – Open Call

This is a partnership commission with WWT Caerlaverock, and Glengoyne

WWT x GlengoyneHide
WWT x GlengoyneHide

WWT Caerlaverock, with the support of The Stove Network, wishes to commission an artist(s) to lead a public art project at their site in Dumfries.

Funded through a partnership with Glengoyne Distillery, the aim of this commission is to bring the partnership to life through a reimagining of the Glengoyne Bird Hide, highlighting shared key themes.

Expected outcomes include a permanent art installation and a series of community / stakeholder engagement activities.

Project Idea

The key theme for the commission is of slowing down and taking time – aligned with both WWT’s aim to encourage visitors to lengthen their stay within the Glengoyne bird hide, allowing the time to settle into the landscape, and with Glengoyne’s theme of the joy of slow.

Additionally, the works should aim to increase a sense of inclusion and welcome to the hide, whilst taking consideration of practical aspects such as durability and weather resistance.

The commission should begin with a period of research and development, the artist(s) spending time with the hides and gaining a thorough understanding of the accessible requirements of the space and it’s user groups.

This can take place both onsite, and off site through engaging specific communities of interest, such as with young people and / or school groups, with support from WWT Caerlaverock, The Stove Network and Glengoyne.

The artist(s) would also be invited to Glengoyne Distillery to see their wetlands and immerse themselves in the Glengoyne story.

From this initial development, the artist(s) should develop a proposal to focus on one of three key areas, to be completed within the scope and budget of the project commission:

  • Visual impact of the space through art installation
  • Alternative seating emphasising comfort and settling in
  • Alternative forms of interpretation within the space

Considerations

The visual art element could take several forms, including options for wall murals or wall mounted displays, free standing elements that occupy the centre of the Hide (currently under-utilised), or hanging from the ceiling.

Seating should consider accessibility and durability but could include bespoke finishes or seating covers, using materials and elements that create a more welcoming environment for spending longer periods of time within the hide. Sensory elements could be considered here, and their impact on the space’s adaptability for a wider range of visitors/space users.

The existing interpretation panels are outdated and could be re-designed or considered for younger audiences or with a more contemporary approach to information and local knowledge sharing.

Budget and Materials

The total budget available for this project is £4,000.

This should include all artist fees, materials VAT (where applicable ) and expenses. On agreement of final proposal with WWT, additional budget may be possible for delivery of final artwork.

Application Process

Please supply the following:

  • An outline of your approach to the project proposal (max. 500 words). If you would like to submit in another format such as video or audio file please get in touch as we are happy to accommodate accessibility requirements.
  • Three examples of your work
  • CV or similar outlining your experience to date

Your entire submission should not exceed 10MB and should be sent to by email to: [email protected] with the heading ‘Glengoyne Hide Art Commission‘.

All submissions will be reviewed by a panel before a shortlisted selection of applications that will be invited to interview. Interviews are expected to take place on 13th-14th May 2024.

Project Timeline

  • Open Call: 11th April – 5th May 2024
  • Application Deadline: 9am, 6th May 2024
  • Selection Process: 7th-15th May 2024
  • Project Start Date: Research and Development: End May 2024
  • Community Engagement Sessions: June/July 2024
  • Agreement with WWT on final artwork proposals: End of July 2024
  • Fabrication and Installation: August – September 2024
  • Project launch/unveiling: October 2024 (coinciding with The Wild Goose Festival)

About WWT Caerlaverock and Glengoyne

WWT are the wetland restoration charity working for wetlands across the UK and the world. By working together with people we unlock the power of wetlands – and help nature burst back to life. Wetlands have the potential to save species from extinction, tackle climate change and improve our lives but we’re losing them at a staggering rate. That is why WWT is on a mission to restore wetlands and unlock their power.

Wetlands teem with biodiversity. They’re part of the natural infrastructure, providing essential protection against climate change, floods, droughts and pollution. They’re also vital for our health and wellbeing.

Wetlands like WWT Caerlaverock are one of the world’s most biodiverse habitats. They provide homes for many endangered species, offer a lifeline for freshwater species and act as vital ‘service stations’ for millions of migratory birds to rest and refuel. Many endemic species are found only in specific wetland areas. About 40% of the world’s plants and animals depend on wetlands.

Set up 50 years ago WWT Caerlaverock is a 1400 acre nature reserve on the north edge of the Solway Firth. It is a special home in the winter for thousands of ducks, swans, geese and waders, and in the summer for dragonflies, moths, spectacular spreads of wildflowers and rare invertebrates.

Longstanding WWT partner, Glengoyne, is the first Scotch whisky distillery to build its own water treatment wetlands on-site. Like WWT, they are leading the way with their focus on slowing down – as Glengoyne is distilled more slowly than any other malt whisky. The Glengoyne bird hide is single room log cabin style bird hide built 25 years ago and sits on the edge of the goose pastures of the Eastpark farm part of the nature reserve. The name ‘Glengoyne’ is derived from ‘Glen Guin’ or ‘valley of the geese’, which works wonderfully as a namesake for the hide. It can be a good place to see the Caerlaverock speciality, flocks of barnacle geese, but WWT are working to bring more nature all year round closer to the hide and make it an even more rewarding nature-watching experience.  

Categories
News Opportunities Project Updates

Join Our Team – Membership Manager for What We Do Now (WWDN)

(This opportunity is now closed)

#We are hiring!

WWDN is a Stove led project focusing on the development of a creative placemaking network for Dumfries & Galloway and is actively recruiting for the exciting NEW ROLE of Membership Manager.

Due to feedback and review, this position has been re-framed to align more closely with the projected needs of the WWND membership.

This position is open to both those with less experience who are looking to learn as part of the job or to those who bring a greater level of experience to the role.

Salary rates may be negotiated within the given salary bracket as part of the process and will be reviewed as part of The Stove’s support and supervision process within the team.

If you are interested, please do reach out.

About the Role

The Role: WWDN Membership Manager

Duration: 18 months fixed-term contract (with review after 3 months)

Hours: 21 hours per week (3-days)

Salary: £24 000 – £26 000 (pro rata) depending on experience

Location: Dumfries & Galloway

Reporting to: WWDN Director

Start Date: 6th May (or as close to this date as able)

DOWNLOAD THE FULL JOB PACK HERE
DOWNLOAD THE CLEAR TEXT VERSION HERE

Key Responsibilities:

The Membership Manager will be responsible for all aspects of WWDN membership working closely with the WWDN Director to grow and support the network as it develops. This will include talking to and developing relationships with potential members, processing of new and renewal memberships, maintaining databases, and communicating with members.

We are looking for someone who is an excellent communicator and wants to be part of a new team.

Regular internal contact and collaboration will take place with other members of the team, as membership will be central to the functions of the WWDN network.

Training and support will be provided as part of the role.

Download the full job pack for further details:

DOWNLOAD THE FULL JOB PACK HERE

Main Tasks and Activities:

Membership Management:

  • Lead on membership recruitment, retention, and renewals, and liaison activity across all membership categories (practitioners, groups, organisations)
  • Develop and maintain effective membership processes, sign-up, review, and enquiry, working with colleagues across WWDN to champion high levels of service
  • Ensure membership admin systems are effectively maintained with support from the Web and Data Manager
  • Ensure membership data, trends and statistics are captured and reported in a way that informs WWDN strategic, operational, and financial planning

Communications / Relationship Building:

  • Work with the Communications and Marketing Director to devise and implement effective membership engagement campaigns
  • Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of all membership marketing activity
  • Utilise a suite of communication assets including digital platforms: Newsletters, website, and social media channels – working closely with the Marketing Officer
  • Attend WWDN events and activities to promote membership recruitment and to build strong working relationships with existing members and key partners

Other duties:

  • Be first point of contact for WWDN service enquiries and direct to relevant members of the team
  • Support the WWDN team to develop, implement, and measure the impact of membership to meet strategic objectives
  • Feed into and support the development of systems and processes to support the continuous improvement of WWDN’s membership provision

This job description is not exhaustive, and the post holder may be asked to take on additional responsibilities not included herein.

Who We’re Looking For:

Person Specification:

  • Highly motivated and ambitious
  • Excellent communications and interpersonal skills
  • Excellent organisational and administrative skills
  • An interest in the mission and aspirations of Creative Placemaking and the desire to work collaboratively in a small team
  • The ability to tailor and adapt communications to specific audiences

Experience:

  • A good level of IT literacy including the use of databases and websites (preferably Mailchimp / WordPress, but training will be provided)
  • Experience in working with customers in customer service / sales environment
  • Knowledge of UK-GDPR and other legislation concerning membership is desirable but not essential as appropriate training will be provided
  • An understanding of the third sector organisations is desirable but not essential

How to Apply:

We encourage you to apply in a way that you feel most comfortable.

You can send us your CV and a short covering letter, or video, to [email protected], explaining why you’re interested and what you could bring to the role.

Application Deadline is 9am in Monday 15th April

Interviews are likely to take place week commencing 22nd April 2024.

It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too. Wherever you’re from, and whatever your background, we want to hear from you.

We will accept applications from anyone and everyone who feels they have the skills required to fulfil this role. Sound like the right job for you? Get in touch, we’d love to hear from you.

OPTIONAL – EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FORM

We will accept applications from anyone and everyone who feels they have the skills required to fulfil this role. Sound like the right job for you? Get in touch, we’d love to hear from you.

Categories
News Opportunities Project Updates

Cafe Culture: Arts Commission

(This opportunity is now closed)

An opportunity to showcase your work and practice at The Stove.

The Stove Network is looking to commission an artist/creative practitioner(s) or community group to engage creatively with 100 High Street’s award-winning Stove Cafe through our ‘Conversing Building’ project.

Cafe Culture: Arts Commission

Fee + Materials: £1,750

Conversing Building is an exhibition programme hosted in our award-winning venue, The Stove Cafe.

It brings together a variety of creative works and projects that address local issues and engage with our local community, promoting and exploring ideas related to both local and global topics.

Ranging from subjects like ecology, heritage, and local democracy, Conversing Building delves into ideas, and discussions through diverse creative mediums, including sound, textiles, print, and visual art approaches to invite and inspire conversation and interaction with everyone that walks into our doors.

About the Commission

This is an open brief for creative practitioners to apply their own creative approach to the environment.

Practitioners of all types are invited to work with the Stove’s creative department and cafe team to realise a ‘takeover’ of the cafe space. drawing their own creative interpretation into the environment.

We are open to all forms and styles, from printmakers to installation.

We encourage applicants to consider how their work may address or speak to local concerns in an open and inspirational way.

Considerations

Our cafe is a busy space, and we are unable to lose out on seating spaces. Proposals must take into consideration how the work will complement the established environment of the cafe and not disrupt the day-to-day running of the enterprise.

The Stove Cafe is a place where people work, eat, chat, drink and play so do consider this with your proposal.

Proposals should consider how creative interactions with the space are sensitively balanced with the rhythm and life of the cafe and how interaction is best served within it. For example, proposals which require significant floor space are unlikely to work, as too proposals which centre on projected image/film may not be feasible due to daytime lighting obstructing the view.

Traditional exhibitions or previously exhibited work are invited however applicants must consider how the work relates to/compliment the Conversing Building projector, contributes to dialogue connected to our town centre location, and how they may go about re-imagining the work for the space in question.

Previous examples of Conversing Building projects can be found here.

Fee and Materials

The total fee and materials budget available is £1,750.

How this budget is split is subject to your proposal and will be agreed with the selected artist or project before the start of the commission, but must be inclusive of all additional costs including travel and VAT.

Schedule:

  • Application deadline: 5pm, 14th January 2024
  • Selection process: Week beginning 15th January 2024
  • Final selection made: 23rd January 2024
  • Installation dates Week beginning: 11th March 2024
  • Exhibition running time: 18th March – 13th April 2024 (inclusive)
  • Exhibition takedown: 15th April 2024

Application Process

  • An outline of your approach. (max 500 words). Submissions can also be made via video or audio file. If you would like to submit your approach in another format please do enquire with us as we are happy to accommodate any accessibility requirements in this regard.
  • Up to 3 examples of your work
  • A CV (or similar) outlining your experience to date

Proposals should be sent to [email protected] with the heading: Cafe Culture: Arts Commission

If you would like to speak to a member of the team to discuss your idea, please get in touch.

Categories
News Opportunities

Creative Stranraer – Job Opportunity

(This opportunity is now closed)

Our friends at Creative Stranraer are looking for a dynamic and entrepreneurial Hub Coordinator to support our Creative Community Hub in the centre of Stranraer.

Role: Creative Stranraer Hub Coordinator

Hours: 15 hours per week, days and times to be arranged

Salary: £22,000 per annum pro rata (£12.09 per hour)

Term: 6 months fixed-term contract initially (may be extended, depending on funding)

Role Purpose: 

The Creative Stranraer Hub provides a space for the local community to participate in a range of creative activity, run by, with and for the people of Stranraer and The Rhins. Our Hub is a space where people can also access signposting to other projects, initiatives, and volunteering opportunities that welcomes anyone and everyone.

Main Responsibilities:

  • To manage the day to day running of the Creative Stranraer Hub
  • Provide support to the Creative Stranraer volunteer programme
  • To promote and manage room bookings of our space
  • To meet visitors and members of the community with a polite and friendly manner, offering excellent customer service
  • To provide information and signposting to visitors and members of the community
  • Act as the point of contact for all enquiries
  • To support the Creative Stranraer Arts & Engagement Officer with planning and implementing events and activities taking place in the hub
  • Liaising with the Communications and Marketing team, ensuing relevant information is passed on to support the outreach aims of Creative Stranraer
  • To support with basic administration tasks
  • Promote the charity in a positive manner to other businesses and services, encouraging joined up working where possible
  • To undertake other appropriate tasks needed to support the running of the project

Person Specification:

Essential:

  • Excellent organisational and coordination skills
  • Outstanding communication skills both verbal and written
  • Proficiency in digital administration and event promotion tools such as Microsoft office, social media and email
  • Customer service skills
  • Excellent multitasking and task prioritisation skills

If you are interested in this role and want to find out more before applying, please email; [email protected]

How to Apply:

We encourage you to apply in a way that you feel most comfortable or you can fire over your CV and a short covering letter, or video, to [email protected],  explaining why you’re interested and what you could bring to the role.

Just make sure that your application is in by 5pm, Wednesday 10th January 2024

It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too. Wherever you’re from, and whatever your background, we want to hear from you.

We will accept applications from anyone and everyone who feels they have the skills required to fulfil this role.

OPTIONAL – EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FORM

Sound like the right job for you? Get in touch, we’d love to hear from you.

About Creative Stranraer

Creative Stranraer is a project based in the Southwest of Scotland which focuses on supporting innovation and change in the historic town of Stranraer and the surrounding areas. Using creativity to connect people with their local environment, Creative Stranraer works in partnership with local and regional organisations to develop new opportunities and projects, encouraging communities to take part in the culture and enterprise to support a new vision for the town.

Skip to content