DUMFRIES THEATRE DEVELOPMENT TRUST

Since 2006, when Dumfries and Galloway Council decided that it could not award capital funding to the project which would renew the Theatre Royal as the hub of performing arts activity, there has been modest progress with the ambition to provide the vibrant accessible arts facility for Dumfries and the wider region.

At the time of the decision, Dumfries and Galloway Council reserved £480,000 of capital funds “toward the development of theatre in Dumfries”. Of this sum, £30,000 has been spent on improving lighting in the present theatre, and plans to use a further allocation of these funds toward essential renewal of heating, necessary repairs, and improved access for people with disabilities have been drawn up following the Council’s investment in a Condition Survey for the building.

The Dumfries Theatre Royal Trust, which developed and steered the original proposals, was re-named in 2007, and is now the Dumfries Theatre Development Trust. It held a consultation with over 100 local people in 2008, “Making It Happen”, which showed that there continues to be strong support for the centre for the performing arts in Dumfries. The Trust continues to work closely with the Guild of Players, among other partners.

In 2008 and during 2009, the Trust worked with the Council to establish a Joint Board, which would take forward the concept of a vibrant contemporary cultural centre for Dumfries, with the performing arts at its heart. The Board, which comprises a nominee from each political group, has yet to meet, but the “development of a regionally significant Cultural Centre in Dumfries” is at the heart of the Cultural Strategy, along with other cultural capital projects.

Dumfries and Galloway Council developed and adopted a Cultural Strategy in 2009; the Strategy links cultural development closely with employment, regeneration and economic development. It sees that cultural activity can contribute to social renewal, and to education, and that it helps to make the region distinctive, as well as attracting visitors and new residents.

Following the Strategy in 2009, the Council has recently reviewed its priorities, in the light of the economic downturn, and continues to champion culture, including it within the activities that underpin all Council priorities, specifically as “supporting a programme of arts, cultural and community activities across the region that bring economic benefit to our region”.

The Trust continues to lobby and campaign for Council involvement in the development of quality cultural facilities for Dumfries, with a vibrant programme of participation and presentation by local, national and international performing arts groups. At present, the focus is on the upgrades necessary to ensure that the Theatre Royal can continue to serve the audiences and performers of the region through the Guild and its programme, and the programmes of those groups which hire the Theatre Royal for their own presentations, such as Dumfries Music Theatre, Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival, and DGAA.

For the longer term, the Trust looks forward to playing an active role via the Joint Board with the Council in developing the regionally significant Cultural Centre that is the first of the Council’s Strategic Cultural Priorities.

Jennifer Wilson: Chair DTDT 25 July 2010