The long-term future of a programme that encourages and inspires young people to hone their creative and performing skills has been secured.
Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival’s Stage iT project has received £78,000 from the National Lottery Community Fund’s Young Start Scheme, which uses dormant bank account funds to help young people reach their full
potential.
The award means the programme can run for the next three years, giving young people across the region the opportunities and training needed to pursue a career in the performing arts.
Among the thousands of young people to have benefitted so far is Jodie Rae.
The 22-year-old musician, songwriter and actor from Dumfries has developed a video project which involved a British Sign Language performance of three original songs.
She said: “Being involved with this project has allowed me to meet and work with lots of people who are involved in the creative industries in Scotland.
“It has given me a platform as I am able to perform at, and be promoted by, the same festival as many other types of artists from the region and beyond.”
She added: “Although more Dumfries and Galloway artists are being recognised for their work and there has been substantial creative development in the region, there are still many voices that haven’t been heard.
“This funding gives creatives a platform to showcase their existing work, but also presents the opportunity for them to develop and expand even basic ideas.” The festival’s strategic and creative director, Melanie Purdie, said: “Stage iT is a vital programme for young people from Dumfries and Galloway to engage with the performing arts industry.
“It provides professional opportunities and creates pathways to establish careers in the arts.
“This will provide us with invaluable capacity to embed this programme into the region’s cultural sector.
“It will provide a steady and reliable resource for young people to benefit from. We look forward to presenting more performances made by young people, for young people.”
The latest round of Young Start funding saw nearly £900,000 dished out to projects across Scotland.
The National Lottery Community Fund’s Scotland chairwoman, Kate Still, said: “We’re thrilled to have been able to fund such innovative and inspiring groups through Young Start once again.
“The skills, confidence, and knowledge the thousands of young people like Jodie will gain through taking part in these projects will be invaluable in building brighter futures with more opportunities in the creative industries.
“If your group has an idea how you would make this happen, then we’d love to hear from
you.”
