A major new investment in Dingwall’s creative future is set to bring new jobs, artists and community led cultural projects to the town as three Highland organisations join forces for an ambitious new arts programme.
Fèis Rois, working in partnership with Moniack Mhor and Cromarty Firth Watershed Environment Trust, has secured almost £300,000 in funding for a new initiative known as The Dingwall Collective.
The project has received £299,975 through the Culture Collective programme funded by the Scottish Government through Creative Scotland.
Rooted in Dingwall and extending across the wider Seaforth area, the project will bring together artists, local residents and community organisations to help shape the future cultural life of the town and surrounding communities.
The timing feels particularly significant.
The project arrives during a year when Dingwall marks 800 years since becoming a Royal Burgh while Fèis Rois celebrates its own 40th anniversary, creating what organisers see as an opportunity not only to reflect on the town’s history but to help shape its future identity through creativity and participation.
Based from the newly revitalised Robertson House, The Dingwall Collective will create four new jobs including a project manager alongside three full time artists in residence covering music, writing and environmental art.
The artists will work directly with communities through workshops, mentoring and collaborative projects designed around the priorities identified within the Dingwall Area Place Plan.
Rather than imposing a top down arts programme, organisers say the aim is to allow local people themselves to influence the cultural activity happening around them.
Chief Executive of Fèis Rois Fiona Dalgetty said the project would celebrate both place and community while supporting local creative opportunities.
“In the year which Dingwall celebrates its 800th anniversary of becoming a royal burgh, this funding will allow us to celebrate the local area through creativity whilst also providing work opportunities for local artists.
“The artists in residence will work with local people and get them engaged in shaping the future cultural life of their community in Dingwall and the surrounding area through a variety of creative projects.”
The Culture Collective programme itself emerged in response to the Covid pandemic with a wider aim of strengthening communities through participatory arts while creating meaningful paid opportunities for creative practitioners.
For Moniack Mhor, the project represents a chance to deepen creative work within Ross shire communities.
Centre Director Rachel Humphries said:
“Moniack Mhor is delighted to be working in partnership with Fèis Rois and Crom Shed on this innovative Culture Collective programme.
“The arts can be a wonderful catalyst for change and we are excited to see what a multi artform residency can bring to people living in Ross shire.
“It’s an opportunity to get involved in all manner of making and most importantly, the activity will be curated by communities meaning that artists are helping to facilitate creative expression that resonates deeply with the place that they live in.”
Euan Bowditch said the partnership would also help strengthen community engagement through environmental and creative work.
“We at the Crom Shed are super excited that the Collective will allow all three organisations to work together with this opportunity to engage and create with the community in the Dingwall area.
“Using the arts as a way to capture and connect to important local context, issues and perspectives is integral to our work for nature restoration, education and community.”
Applications for the Project Manager role close on 12 June while applications for the Artist in Residence positions close on 18 June.
More details of the jobs can be found at feisrois.org
