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News Opportunities

OPEN HOOSE

Got an Idea? Get in Touch!

Open Hoose at The Stove Cafe

Open Hoose is a unique opportunity for anyone with a community-focused idea in Dumfries to use our cafe venue space alongside the resources of the Stove team to launch self-initiated projects and events through the support of the Stove’s experience, space, and production skills.

“Open Hoose is all about growing and nourishing new enterprises, projects, or events in the heart of the High Street.”

What is it?

Open Hoose is a funded* project all about giving good ideas a chance to grow. So whether it’s a regular jam night, a bread club, banner-making group or book club, we want to offer our space, our team and our support to help launch community-based and/or cultural activity in the town, housed within the Stove Cafe. Activity can be a one-off evening or a regular slot, it’s up to you!

Think of it as ‘testing’ an idea. So if you’re not quite sure of the details yet, or even how it will all work out, that’s okay! Come talk to us, it might just be what we’re looking for.

Who can apply and what we’re looking for

This opportunity is available to anyone with a community-focused idea.

We want to hear ideas that have the potential to grow. Even if you’re not sure. Sometimes the best projects can come from even a passing thought. You may even have a project already on the go but could do with that extra bit of support.

When?

Activity will take place between January – March 2022.

How ideas will be chosen

There are no exact hard and fast rules to the Open Hoose project, and we want to keep an open mind to new ideas that come through our door. As a community organisation, we believe no one should face barriers to participating in new experiences and creative activity.

With that in mind, we’re particularly interested in ideas that work with, for and about our diverse communities be them of interest, place, or identity.

We think of Open Hoose as a ‘testing ground’ for new ideas, from pop-ups to enterprises, new community groups or arts activity that may well eventually lead you to your next big thing.

Selections will be made against the following criteria:

  • The potential of the idea to grow and develop
  • Its potential to bring people together
  • Encourages people to try new things
  • Helps to grow the vibrancy of the town centre as a diverse, community-centred and lively place to live, learn and take part in activities

Whilst every idea will be considered, unfortunately not every project will be taken forward due to the resources, timescale and current funding available though we will ensure to provide detailed feedback in every enquiry.

We’re particularly interested in hearing from groups and individuals we haven’t yet had the chance to work with.

What the project cannot support:

  • Self – promotional and/or retail activity* (for eg: book launches, solo exhibitions, pop-up shops)
  • Private events
  • Corporate functions
  • Party Political Activity
  • Residency space* (for eg: private space for developing creative work)

All proposed activity should comply with the Stove’s values of inclusion, equality, and diversity.

Some examples of the type of activity the Stove has supported:

  • Drawing For Enjoyment
  • Doughlicious Bread Club
  • High Street Writers
  • Brave New Words
  • DoonGamers

What do you get out of it?

Dependent on needs, The Stove can offer free use of our cafe space in the evening, staffing, marketing support alongside technical and production assistance, decided on a case-by-case basis. We may be able to offer some financial contribution towards materials or other costs. We’re looking for ideas with the potential to grow, within or out-with the Stove Cafe.

Interested? Fill out the short enquiry form below!

OPEN HOOSE ENQUIRY FORM

Got a question or want to sound your idea out? Give us a bell on 01387 252435 or email [email protected]

*Funding: Scottish Government: Investing in Communities Fund

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News Opportunities

Work With Us

We’re recruiting for a NEW Finance & Operations Manager

Realise your potential

The Stove Network is an innovative social enterprise in the centre of Dumfries, and we are looking for someone to join our talented team that is working at the heart of our community. We operate a hub for the region’s creative sector, offering training and opportunities to the local community as well as developing projects in partnership with groups and agencies that help people make changes in the places where they live.

Through success our turnover and organisation have grown quickly, and we now have an opening for the right person to be the next piece in The Stove jigsaw. We are recruiting a Finance and Operations Manager and are looking for someone who can develop with us and provide sound support through financial and organisational systems.

Do you have excellent organisational and financial skills? Do you like being the one with all the information at your fingertips and knowing where to look for the answers? Are you adaptable and do you want to be part of a dynamic and committed team that is genuinely making a difference for our local community? If so, then we’d love to meet you. Please check out the application pack and get in touch for an initial chat or to send us an application….

Deadline for applications: midnight Sunday 19th Sept 2021

Interviews will be held on Tuesday 28st September. We would like to make sure that our recruitment process is as open as possible, so if you’d like to discuss any accessibility requirements, please get in touch via [email protected] or phone us on 01387 252435 (weekdays 10-4pm).

For more information and details on how to apply, download the full application pack below.

Download the application pack
clear text version
equality monitoring form
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News Opportunities

Creative Writing Opportunities

High Street Multiverse:

Six Opportunities for Emerging Writers Based in Dumfries & Galloway

Welcome to Dumfries High Street.

In this place, whole worlds of stories and sorrows, memories and hopes as vivid and colourful as your own, exist within each passer-by.

A multiverse, an ever-growing web of realities sprawl and spin from the smallest encounter. New futures are written and re-written all at once, each stemming from the consequences of actions so subtle, they are barely felt. But the ripple of each of our choices resonates beyond now… and alters the realities we all share.

So step inside… what story will you find?

High Street Multiverse is a digital, public art project supported by Dumfries & Galloway Unlimited. Working with 6 emerging writers from the region, this unique initiative will support writers to craft six individual audio stories to be placed within the town centre of Dumfries, through a specially designed series of QR light sculptures, the artworks will immerse listeners into new imaginative worlds, traversing time and space.

Writers will work together with the support of the Stove’s creative team through a regular series of workshops led by professional writers alongside a handful of creative sessions to shape each individual story. Emerging writers will receive one to one creative and professional guidance with a small team of professionals in the field, gaining tailored support and advice to take your writing to the next level.

Writers will receive a fee of £200 for their contribution to the project alongside professional support and guidance along with the opportunity to collaborate with others and be part of an exciting multi-arts project in the heart of Dumfries.

You don’t have to have been published and you can be of any age and experience-level to apply. We’re looking for writers who are excited to be part of this collaborative project and are willing to help create a new experience for Dumfries town centre.

Want to take your story to the street?

Who can apply?
You don’t need to have been published, you could even just be dabbling. You might be a fantasy writer, novelist, poet, or all the above. We’re looking for potential. We’re looking for writers who are excited by the prospect of working collaboratively and are willing to be part of a journey in finding their voice through the support and mentorship of the Stove and our team of professional writers.

The only thing we ask is that you are living in or can demonstrate a significant connection to Dumfries & Galloway. No upper age limit.

How to Apply
To apply please send a cover letter and supporting material to [email protected] answering:

What excites you about the project?

How would you describe yourself as a writer?

How could this project support your development?

Alongside up to three writing examples, exceeding no more than three pages per example.

Submissions closing date is the 30th of August.

Creative sessions and workshops will take place throughout September and October with works being recorded in November and December. Installation and public unveiling will be in January 2022.

Time commitment:
Coordination of workshops and creative sessions will be arranged in consultation with the successful writers. We expect writers to attend roughly 5 workshops/creative sessions, as well as one-to-one sessions with the professional writers’ team.
All applicants will be contacted with regards to the outcome within the week of the of the 6th of September.

For more information about the project please email [email protected].

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Opportunities

Cafe Opportunity

We’re searching for our next team member!

JOB OPPORTUNITY

Job Title:

Barista/Café Team Member

We’re looking for an energetic and enthusiastic person, who’s full of beans, to join our busy café team. Are you a team player who loves communicating with customers and delivering the highest levels of customer service? You might just be who we’re looking for!

A Bit About Us

We are a not-for-profit, inclusive café based in the heart of Dumfries where we offer great food, amazing coffee, and the best service. The community is at the heart of everything we do, and we help support the wider aims and values of The Stove Network, a creatively led organisation which makes events and opportunities for our local community.

We’re proud to provide a warm welcome to every customer that walks through the door, and we work hard to create an enjoyable atmosphere for customers and staff. Would you like to work with us?

About The Job

We’re offering a minimum of 10 hours /week @ £8.91/hr over four days; Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

About You

You’re a strong team player with a can-do, positive attitude with excellent customer service and communication skills. The ability to work under pressure and to prioritise in a fast-paced environment, able to multitask, follow instruction and have great attention to detail.

Responsibilities

  • Establishing welcoming and relaxed atmosphere
  • Taking orders and engaging with customers
  • Coffee making
  • Food preparation (training provided)
  • Loading/unloading dishwasher
  • Maintaining a high standard of hygiene throughout the cafe, including the bathroom
  • Following all Covid-19 guidelines in place
  • Knowing and understanding the menu
  • Some light physical lifting will be required

Desired Experience (some training may be provided)

  • Barista/coffee making experience
  • Experience in food preparation
  • Food and hygiene certificate

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO APPLY, ASK FOR DEE & PAM OR EMAIL: [email protected] / [email protected]

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Opportunities

Dumfries Fountain Project: Opportunities

The Stove Network is delighted to share some new commission opportunities to work as part of The Dumfries Fountain Restoration Project, a collaborative project between The Stove Network and Dumfries and Galloway Council.

We have three current opportunities:

  • Dumfries Fountain Public Art Commission
  • Young Filmmaker Commission
  • Young Musician or Composer Commission

These three opportunities have been created as part of the engagement phase of the project, which looks to work with local people to share the history of the fountain and Dumfries’ Water Story, and support interaction with the second phase of the project, which will include the complete refurbishment of the Fountain. Commissioned artists will work alongside and be supported by our Engagement Lead on the project, and The Stove’s Public Art Lead.

Public Art Commission

The Stove seeks to commission an experienced artist, designer or maker to design a permanent artwork to accompany the restoration of the Dumfries Fountain.

The commission is for the delivery of a fully costed and complete design for a permanent artwork to be developed alongside a creative community engagement project in the ‘water story of Dumfries.’ Further details and how to apply:

Public Art Commission

Young Filmmaker Commission

The Stove seeks to commission an emerging young filmmaker to document Stage One of the Dumfries Fountain Restoration Project.

We are looking for someone to document the programme of engagement, tell the story of the fountain and create a digital legacy for the project. Further details and how to apply:

Young Filmmaker Commission

Young Musician/Composer Commission

The Stove Network seeks to commission an emerging young musician or composer to create an original soundtrack composition for film as part of The Dumfries Fountain Restoration Project.

We are looking for someone to work collaboratively with our documentary filmmaker to create an accompanying soundtrack for their film documenting the history and restoration of Dumfries’ Fountain. Further details and how to apply:

Young Musician/composer Commission

Our two emerging commission opportunities have been supported and funded by The Holywood Trust, a charitable organisation which aims to help young people in Dumfries and Galloway.

Deadline for Applications: Sunday, 13th June 2021

For further information about this opportunity, or to ask us specific questions about this project please email [email protected].

Categories
News Opportunities

Cafe – Community – Creativity: Exhibition Call Out

The Stove Cafe x Conversing Building

We’ve spent more time at home than we ever thought we would. What sorts of things did you get up to during the past 14 months? Maybe you started painting again, or learned how to knit, or made collages to send to your friends or started taking photographs on your phone. We’d love to celebrate the little acts of creativity we have all made at home, and share them in our café.

The Stove Café and the Conversing Building project would like you to submit or loan your artworks to us for a Community Café Exhibition in June 2021. Works can be 2D or 3D, measuring no more than 60cm in any direction please. All artworks will be displayed in our public café so please make sure that the work you submit is suitable for all ages.

How to Submit

Artworks can be dropped off to The Stove Café during regular opening hours Wed-Sat, 10-3pm, but please make sure you have included your contact details so that we can return your work to you. If we receive a large number of submissions we may not be able to display all works. Please do not submit more than two artworks per person.

If you have any queries about whether your creative work will be suitable, please drop us an email to [email protected], or pop into the Stove café and ask one of our team.

All artworks must be submitted by Monday 31st May 2021.

The exhibition will run from the 2nd to the 30th June 2021.

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