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Creative Placemaking: Culture in Communities at the Scottish Parliament

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 Now network, 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 Ireland
Helen Trew, Art27 Scotland
Rosie 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.

With thanks to Oliver Benton and Pinescope Video for documenting the event.

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News

The Travelling Gallery Returns to D&G

Travelling Gallery, a contemporary art gallery on a bus, is back, bringing its third season to Dumfries and Galloway this October. 

The Gallery will visit three sites across the region, featuring Repair Café, a 16 mm film by Scottish artist and filmmaker Helen McCrorie. The film was co-created with the residents of Strathearn in Perthshire as part of the Scotland-wide Remembering Together project, which aimed to bring ‘collective acts of reflection, remembrance, hope and healing to communities across Scotland’ in the years following the COVID pandemic. 

When asked about McCrories’s exhibition, Edinburgh Council Culture and Community Convener Val Walker said, “[The exhibition] promises to be an insightful exhibition that will inspire us all to reflect on the inequalities that were compounded by the pandemic, and the different ways we made our way through with creativity and connection. 

In partnership with the What We Do Now Network and The Stove, they will be visiting: 

The film engaged people of all ages through creative workshops, asking them to recall what helped them both during the pandemic and beyond. It weaves hand-drawn animation and footage of beloved community spaces with oral histories and evocative music by local school pupils and musicians. The soundtrack features a special arrangement of the song Strathearn by Carolina Oliphant, Lady Nairne of Strathearn, a contemporary of Robert Burns.

Exhibited alongside the film are a number of additional works that reveal some of the processes and thinking behind its making, including an interactive display with 16mm film reels, a colourful abstract animation and an atmospheric sound work.

McCrorie has also collaborated with Glasgow-based illustrator Annabel Wright to produce several drawings that bring to light more of the personal stories shared during the project: some sad, scary, or poignant, some hopeful, funny, or surreal. The work expands further upon the spectrum of insights and experiences from this time.

The gallery is free to visit and open to all. Visit Travelling Gallery website for more details.

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Musings News

Thoughts on the launch of WWDN

#image_title

Heather Taylor is a writer, storyteller and creative practitioner specialising in multi-sensory creative and performance practice, inclusion and accessibility, and is a member of The Stove’s board of Trustees. She recently attended the launch of WWDN, a creative placemaking network, and shares her thoughts and hopes for its future success. Read her blog below:

Image credit – Kirstin McEwan Photography

WWDN – A place for everyone

By Heather Taylor

Hey All!

I hope you’re all doing well and enjoying the sunshine we have started to get – let’s hope that’s not the start and end of it!

I just had to share my excitement about a fantastic event I attended recently.

On the 9th of May, The Stove Network launched something truly special at the Catstrand in New Galloway. It was the kick-off for the ‘What We Do Now’ (WWDN) network, and let me tell you, the energy in the room was wonderful!

As a member of the Board of Trustees, with a deep passion for accessibility and inclusion in community development and the creative arts, this initiative holds a special place in my heart.

The WWDN network has been in the works for the past couple of years, and seeing it now, and anticipating its future, is beyond thrilling.

Image credit – Kirstin McEwan Photography

The journey began with a highly successful pilot program where creatives collaborated with six hub organisations across the region.

The results were inspiring, showcasing the transformative power of creative placemaking in our communities.

Now comes the next phase of this incredible journey. The launch event was a testament to the dedication and hard work of everyone involved.

It was heartening to witness so many people from diverse backgrounds coming together to explore creative placemaking and envision the future of this network.

What truly warmed my heart was the level of thought and consideration that went into ensuring the event was inclusive and that everyone felt comfortable in the space and most importantly – valued.

Image credit – Kirstin McEwan Photography

On a more personal note, I must admit that there are times when I question my place in both the trustee board and the creative community.

Like many others, I often grapple with imposter syndrome, wondering if I truly belong in these spaces. However, what truly struck me during the WWDN launch event was the undeniable sense of inclusivity and openness.

It became clear to me that there is indeed a place for everyone within this network. What’s even more remarkable is the opportunity it presents to dive in and make it your own.

Unlike many other initiatives, WWDN doesn’t require you to have all the answers or a predetermined end outcome. Instead, it welcomes you to come with ideas and offers support in realising them. This, my friends, is a game changer!

I have mentioned already in this post my appreciation of those involved, however, I would like again to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has been involved in bringing the WWDN network to life.

From the dedicated individuals behind the scenes to the creative practitioners who lend their talents, each and every one of you has played a vital role in shaping this initiative into what it is today.

A special shoutout goes to the incredible Stove team, whose unwavering dedication and boundless enthusiasm serve as a constant inspiration to me and countless others. Your passion for community development and the arts is truly infectious, and I feel privileged to be a part of this journey alongside you all.

Thank you for everything you do!

The launch of the WWDN network marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in our journey towards a more inclusive and vibrant creative landscape. I can’t wait to see what we’ll achieve together!

If you are interested in find out more about WWDN and how you can get involved in the creative placemaking network, head on over to the WWDN website here.

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Musings News

How Creativity & Culture Can Support Communities

A Creative Placemaking Approach

The Stove Network, with support from South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE), publish an important, new approach to Community Wealth Building and Community-Led Place Development.

The publication, entitled, ‘A Creative Placemaking Approach’ presents a methodology identifying how creativity and culture can work collaboratively with communities and support cross-sector working, addressing civic, economic, and development needs locally with communities.

This publication aims to support a vision of place and community where: creativity is used to develop a resilient and fair, future society, built on community wealth building principles, innovation, and long-term thinking.

The publication is the culmination of over 10 years of rural-based practice in the South of Scotland alongside wider research and consultation already carried out by The Stove Network, including Scotland’s first Creative Placemaking Forum, ‘kNOw One Place’ hosted in Dumfries in 2022.

“For a long time, we have seen first-hand the gap between national policies in areas such as community empowerment, wellbeing economies, sustainable tourism, place-based planning, and what it takes to really make these work for local communities. New approaches are needed that enable local communities to come together to work through ideas, think differently, address challenges and come up with their own solutions whilst at the same time building the capacity to take this forward for themselves. Significantly this is a place-based approach that is enabled, and not led by, the multiple agencies, organisations and service providers that have a stake in a place.”

Katharine Wheeler of The Stove Network and Director of WWDN (Creative Placemaking Network)

Placemaking traditionally refers to the concept of developing successful spaces for communities and encouraging connection and creativity for the common good.  Creative placemaking is a cultural and arts led approach to placemaking that uses creativity as a support structure for communities to take a leading role in the development of their places.

“We believe this Creative Placemaking approach is hugely important in supporting change for communities in the South of Scotland and beyond. With unique villages and towns this approach can help unlock opportunities and potential to build stronger and sustainable communities. SOSE fully supports the approach outlined in this paper, it aligns with our values of bold and inclusive, while empowering our communities using creatives to translate ideas and thoughts for a meaningful community wealth building approach.”

Jane Morrison-Ross, Chief Executive of South of Scotland Enterprise

Creative placemaking is particularly effective at developing community engagement, amplifying less heard voices, and supporting the development of community capacity and partnerships to effect real change.

“What we have seen through creative placemaking projects is a range of impacts for communities from major physical regeneration projects, such as Midsteeple Quarter in Dumfries, to life and career progression for individuals in communities – new skills, confidence, increased social networks etc. The key connecting factor has been the effectiveness of creative placemaking initiatives as open and inclusive ’spaces’ which give less-heard sections of community new agency within local decision-making processes and new empowerment for themselves to be part of making the change they wish to see.”

Matt Baker, CEO of The Stove Network
Read or download the published paper here
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Musings News Project Updates

Championing the Economic Impact of Culture

Kirstin McEwan

On the 19th December 2023, the Scottish Government published its action plan, detailing the delivery methodology of its Culture Strategy for Scotland, originally published in 2020.

This Action Plan, developed in collaboration with the Culture Sector, sets out the next steps the Scottish Government will take to support the development of culture in Scotland.

Roundtable consultations sessions were initiated in 2022, one of which was held in Dumfries in January 2023 and attended by the Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture, Scottish Government Culture Officials, and colleagues from across the Culture Sector, including Dumfries-based arts and community organisation, The Stove Network. These sessions looked at how cultural and creative organisations, can work with both Government and public bodies to effect positive change, locally, regionally, and nationally.

With a focus on resilience and three key pillars: Strengthening Culture, transforming through Culture, and Empowering through Culture, the action plan outlines the Scottish Government’s route to delivering their ambitious Culture Strategy.

At the round table consultation in Dumfries, The Stove was able to share with the Cabinet Secretary innovative cross-sector working in Dumfries and Galloway that uses cultural projects to empower people to change things within their own communities. An example being the way Dumfries and Galloway are working with the cultural sector to connect people on the ground meaningfully to strategic economic investment.

The Stove’s work, through What We Do Now (WWDN), a unique and ground-breaking initiative that supports a creative placemaking network within Dumfries & Galloway, working with artists, communities, and organisations, is highlighted alongside other examples, within the action plan’s second chapter, “Strengthening Culture”.

Extract from the action plan:

“Champion the economic impact of culture, in particular within the context of community wealth building and creative placemaking….

… The Scottish Government has embraced the internationally recognised Community Wealth Building approach to economic development as a key tool to transform our local and regional economies…

… harnessing local economic opportunities to address a range of challenges linked to addressing depopulation, regardless of whether affected communities are found in rural and island areas, or urban….

… There is a clear link with the principle of creative placemaking, which we know has tangible benefits for communities. For example, The Stove Network’s work across the south of Scotland, funded by the Scottish Government via the Culture Collective project ‘What We Do Now’, connects artists and community organisations to co-develop creative plans for the future of local places. We will learn from the outputs of this work and consider ways of scaling up the approaches taken.

“To see creative placemaking championed within the Scottish Government’s action plan for delivering the national culture strategy is fantastic. What We Do Now in Dumfries and Galloway is just one example of a very exciting strand of practice that is emerging across Scotland to place creativity at the heart of community-led change.”

Katharine Wheeler, Lead for WWDN

The full Culture Strategy for Scotland: Action Plan can be read here

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Opportunities

WWDN – Website Developer / Designer

Freelance Commission Opportunity – Now Closed

About the Commission

WWDN (managed and delivered by The Stove Network) is seeking to work with a web developer/designer to support the design, development and delivery of a web-based platform that will build on the styling of the current website whatwedonow.scot and support the next phase (Stage 2) of the WWDN project.

The next phase of the website should house key information, including all related content across its geographical and thematic landscape, relevant recourses and include the introduction of a membership login portal.

Fee: 10 Days at £300 P/D (£3,000 in total)

Working with the WWDN project team, the designer/developer will creatively develop the platform, interface, and technical design of the website, taking into consideration priorities such as accessibility, brand awareness, integration and ‘signposting’ to other platforms that may be used throughout the project’s development.

Requirements

The designer/developer will work with the WWDN project team in Stage 2 to pinpoint and build the key elements of the project in order to support its legacy, future proofing the site.

Elements of the webpage to consider:

  • WordPress platform
  • Membership model with user login-in
  • News, blogs/articles, and archive
  • Interactive elements (for eg: forums, chat, email forms*)
  • Events listing features
  • Galleries/spaces to house documentation
  • Integration of related project materials (videos, other documentation)

The webpage should be considered as an extension of the project’s brand, a ‘digital artwork’ in and of itself, whilst maintaining the current brand identity (guidelines will be provided).

Regular check-ins on the development and design of the website will be expected between the designer/developer and the WWDN project team to align the project needs with the design and development of the website. These check-ins will be negotiated on the appointment of the designer/developer.

As part of Stage 2 project fee the designer/developer will host 1-2 working sessions with the WWDN internal team to ensure maintenance and development of the webpage can be managed in-house.

How to Apply

A note of your interest in the commission and a brief outline of how you will approach the brief.

Please provide three examples of your work (preferably active websites) and / or a portfolio of work – no larger than 10mb

All applications should be sent by email to: [email protected]

(closing date not currently set)

Background

WWDN is a Creative Placemaking Network that has been piloted in Dumfries & Galloway and is hosted by the Stove Network, an award-winning arts and community organisation based in the heart of Dumfries town centre. Working with artists, communities, and organisations, WWDN is a unique and ground-breaking initiative that continues to evolve and expand with those involved.

The initial pilot supported community anchor groups (community hubs) in towns across Dumfries & Galloway to host creative practitioners for an extended period to work with sections of their communities to co-create new future visions and practical projects. Artists, hubs, and communities were supported to explore bold new ideas with a particular focus on those under-represented in local decision making.

Each of the founding community hubs are in or working with communities experiencing disadvantage. All have identified sections of their own community where COVID has accentuated existing disadvantage and exclusion and have some experience of working culturally.

The WWDN Creative Placemaking Network is now in a period of transition to establish itself as a sustainable network for the region that will drive forward community-led work and support the growth of resource, expertise, and knowledge in creative placemaking across Dumfries & Galloway.

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