ArtLAB from LIFT D&G has received £67,000 from The National Lottery through Creative Scotland’s Open Fund to further its work developing grassroots creative programmes for the Lochside community in Dumfries.
The announcement comes during the week of Earth Day, underscoring the project’s commitment to environmental awareness and community led climate action. ArtLAB’s work places local people, particularly those most affected by economic and social inequality, at the heart of conversations about climate change and environmental justice.
Originally established through previous Open Funding, ArtLAB has spent the past year supporting the local community to address complex issues through creative activism. This new round of funding will build on that momentum enabling another year of activity, continuing to support families, young people and vulnerable adults, while strengthening the project’s long-term impact
A central focus of the upcoming programme is ensuring that marginalised and economically vulnerable people are included in discussions about climate change and how it affects their lives and recognising that these voices are often missing from national and global debates. Through sustained grassroots work, LIFT D&G brings the lesser heard voices of their communities into these conversations, growing understanding of climate change and working towards a shared approach to a just transition.
Based from The Cabin, established through the 2019 Culture Collective programme, ArtLAB will welcome back long-term collaborators Alice Francis and Rosie Giblin back throughout 2026 to continue their work with local residents.
In 2026, LIFT D&G will also partner with OutPost Arts on Creating Space NW Dumfries, their new Culture Collective model connecting the communities of Lochside, Lincluden, Summerhill and Sandside. The project embeds artists directly within local neighbourhoods to co-design creative activities with residents to promote wellbeing and support local regeneration. As part of this collaboration, an Art & Wellbeing Trail will emerge across NW Dumfries – an accessible network of community-owned creative work and spaces for everyone to explore and enjoy.
The news of LIFT D&G’s renewed funding for ArtLAB comes as Creative Scotland publishes its Environmental Sustainability Review 2025/26. The review highlights its progress toward a 24% reduction in travel emissions between 2023/24 and 2025/26, and its commitment to reach net zero by 2030. ArtLAB’s focus on climate justice and community led environmental engagement reflects the priorities outlined in the review.
Angela Gilmour, Managing Director at LIFT D&G said: “ArtLAB brings people together in a way that feels real and accessible. It’s about creativity, connection and making sure our community has a voice in the things that matter – including how we respond to climate change together.”
Karen Ridgewell, Climate Emergency and Sustainability Lead at Creative Scotland said: “The delivery of our Climate Emergency and Sustainability Plan feeds into every aspect of our operations. This is increasingly mirrored by funded activity embedding environmental sustainability into its DNA. Addressing the impacts of the changing climate work in harmony with improving access to arts in Scotland and LIFT D&G’s ArtLAB’s programme of creative activism is an embodiment of place-based climate justice.”
The full Environmental and Sustainability Review 2025/26 can be read on Creative Scotland’s website.
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