THE Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival is looking for applications from promoters, community groups, venues and artists to sign up and be part of Scotland’s largest rural multi-artform festival.
Any individual, group or organisation wishing to put on an event in the region during next year’s Festival (22 to 31 May 2014), will be eligible to apply for cash support in a brand new programme scheme.
The festival recently revealed a new three-tier structure for next year’s programme which included, as well as the core and Fringe programmes, an exciting opportunity to get involved in its Roots Through Dumfries and Galloway scheme which will guarantee events against losses to the tune of between £500 to £1,500.
Support will also include help with selecting performers; technical support in lighting, sound publicity, etc; as well as full listing in the programme and inclusion in the festival publicity campaign.
“We are doing this through a fair open access application process,” said Peter Renwick, programme director, “and no funding decisions will be made prior to the application deadline.
“The guarantee against loss scheme (GAL) will fund events which require festival support – if the event could happen without festival support then we would encourage them to apply to be included in the Fringe programme.
“The total costs of the event should be more than the GAL requested and we are looking for promoters to buy in with a shared risk. The promoter should be confident on achieving a minimum audience.”
The GAL will ensure that all agreed event costs are covered, provided it receives above the minimum.
Peter added: “Should ticket income be more than the event costs you will keep profits. We can support smaller events costing less than £500 but will offer a smaller guarantee.”
Costs include artists fees travel accommodation, venue hire, technical costs and publicity.
Artists and venues may include their own fees in the budget.
When looking at which events to support, the following criteria must be met:
• Good artistic quality event
• Will draw an audience
• Is not competing with another similar event during the run of the festival
• Has to take place during the festival dates
• Has a realistic budget
• Have a realistic ticket income
• Have a realistic ticket price
• Willing to promote event through own network
Costs which will be included:
• Artists’ fees, travel and accommodation;
• Venue hire
• Publicity
• Set-up and technical costs
• Other
“If you’re a venue, an artist or even a sound technician, these will include your own fees provided they are included in the application,” Peter added.
Costs which will not be included in the GAL fund include:
• Promoters’ time
• Costs of catering for the public
• Midsteeple Box Office 7% ticket charge.
• An allocation of ticket sales (no less than 20%) must be available via the Midsteeple Box Office
• Rented items that are not returned
Application forms may be downloaded in MS Word format from here: DGAF GAL GRANT APPLICATION FORM
All forms should be returned by 10th November 2014 to Louise Davies, Festival Co-ordinator: Email: [email protected] or by post Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival, Gracefield Arts Centre, 28, Edinburgh Road, Dumfries, DG1 1JQ. Tel No 01387 259627.
Successful applicants will be informed of the panel’s decision by 17th November 2014
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