Ours
is an
Open
Hoose
Ours is an Open Hoose.
Open Hoose is a project at the heart of The Stove’s community venue. Ideas are given the space, time, resources and support of the Stove Network to launch ambitious projects to galvanise and gather our communities together. From climate cafes to bread clubs, jam nights and creative writing groups, Open Hoose offers an eclectic mix of different activities for everyone to take part in.
Initially launched as a pilot project in January of 2022, with funding from the Scottish Government through their ‘Investing in Communities’ project, Open Hoose supported the launch of over 10 new projects. Open Hoose has secured partial funding from Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund administered by Third Sector Dumfries & Galloway, to take the project into its next phase.
The project supports ideas from our community through an open enquiry form. Once submitted The Stove will decide how best to support ideas, whether through space, marketing support, creative development or mentorship. We support ideas from anyone based in and around Dumfries who are looking to get people together in a variety of ways. Whether it’s a book group, activist meet-up, workshop or creative activity, we take a broad view of the type of activity we’d like to support.
FAQs
Can anyone apply to the Open Hoose?
Absolutely! We want to hear from as many people as possible. So whether you’ve never been to a Stove event or consider yourself a true ‘Stovie’, it doesn’t matter. We’re interested in you, your idea and why this opportunity is right for you.
Can a group that’s already established apply?
Yes. It doesn’t have to be a new idea. Established groups that are already working are encouraged to apply. So whether you’d like to have your activity in the town centre or could do with some support to try out something new, we’re all ears.
How many projects will be taken forward?
We want to be as flexible as possible with the type of support we might be able to offer. With our current cohort, we have identified spaces within our monthly programme for new Open Hoose projects to be considered, but we’re also open to hearing ideas that may not require the space, from podcasts to street art.
How do you consider proposals?
- We take a broad and open view of the type of project we’re able to support. Though some key considerations are worth bearing in mind before submitting:
- How does the project seek to engage with the community?
- Is there a cause or activist drive behind the idea?
- How realistically to support something given our current capacity and resources.
Live Projects
Queer Club
Queer punks jump up! An activist space for members of the LGBTQIA+ community locally to get together, conjure up big plans and get making. During its first 4 months the group have set-up and managed the 2022 Dumfries Pride. Entirely community-run, the group are about advocating for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community through creativity, conversation, and most importantly, fun.
Climate Kitchen
Hosted every third Friday of the month at the Stove Café, Climate Kitchen is a dynamic event to cook up solutions to the climate crisis. Featuring repair tables, discussion, film, free food and an open mic, the Climate Kitchen is an opportunity to meet with others, dream up big ideas and get active.
Doughlicious
A bread club with a twist. Hosted by baker Liz Grieve, Doughlicious is a bread club for bakers of all styles and abilities. Using organic, locally sourced produce, Doughlicious is on a mission to put bread-making back on the map. A member of ‘Scotland The Bread’, Doughlicious is part of a campaign advocating for nutritious, healthy bread as an alternative to the highly processed produce lining the supermarket shelves.
Nith Life
Inspired by conservation initiatives across the country, a new group wants to question and explore what exactly a Conservation Trust for the River Nith might look like. This is the ideal opportunity for those passionate about protecting one of our most extraordinary natural assets to get together and look for solutions faced by our River Nith.
Ran by a community steering group supported by The Stove Network & UNESCO Galloway & Southern Ayrshire Biosphere, Nith Life is a rapidly evolving initiative dedicated to engaging communities through creativity, technology and science to explore our connection to the River Nith, from source to sea.
Doon Gamers
Role playing card games for gamers old and new. Split between sessions on ‘Magic The Gathering’ and ‘Digimon’, Doongamers leads campaigns and durational sessions within the Stove Café.
Repair Shop
Repair Shop is a group dedicated to repairing, mending, fixing and building. From tech to textiles, it’s open to all!
Oor Hoose
Oor Hoose is a platform that serves as a launchpad for LGBTQIA+ performing artists, as well as their allies, in the South of Scotland and Cumbria.
Under the umbrella of Oor Hoose, a diverse range of artists, including drag performers, musicians, and poets, have showcased their talents.
The platform is always open to exploring and accommodating various artistic disciplines under its roof.
Sonic Labs
Sonic Labs (formerly known as Free Improvisation) is a hub where noise and sound collide in a whirlwind of creativity.
Crafted by a group of local music lovers and innovators, Sonic Labs warmly welcomes everyone to join in the joy of making music together. Our sessions follow an open-style approach that mixes improvisation with composition, making music accessible to all. Rooted in teamwork, spontaneity, and sharing, our evenings blend structured techniques with free expression, inviting you to explore the magic of musical creation.
At Sonic Labs, we embrace diverse styles and skills to create vibrant soundscapes, compositions, and immersive experiences. Our sessions are full of surprises – expect the unexpected, from unconventional experiments to moments of pure beauty, and even thrilling chaos.
Past Projects
De-growth Club
A group exploring radical alternatives for living, fueled by social and environmental justice instead of economic growth.
Cafe Cuts
Where the weekend starts. A lo-fi evening featuring DJs, good food and an electric atmosphere to warm up your weekend.
Write!
WRITE! is all about letting your imagination guide your hand. In each session we’ll chat about a writing-related topic, then provide prompts and a theme, and the opportunity to write based on the inspiration. It might be a character sketch, or a piece of description or dialogue. The key thing is that it will be your words, and they’d never have been born if you’d stayed at home that night.
Free Improvisation
A dynamic and radical approach to improvisation and composition. Free Improvisation is the art of blending musical styles and sounds to create inspiring ‘sound worlds’. Ran and facilitated by a core group of musicians, Free Improvisation is all about letting your instincts take control. Open to all musicians of any type and ability.
Spotlight
Upcoming Events
Doughlicious
Dumfries Climate Kitchen
Got an Idea?
Our current round of Open Hoose applications has closed, however, we are always interested in hearing new ideas, so if you have a burning idea that you just can’t keep to yourself till then, let us know by completing our Open Hoose enquiry form…
