Culture in Dumfries and Galloway
Dumfries and Galloway: a place where culture, creativity, and heritage flourish.
What do we mean by culture?
In Dumfries and Galloway, we aim to be as broad as possible in recognising what constitutes culture and so use this term to cover the arts and heritage sectors.
Our Council Plan 2023-2028 includes: 'Together with partners, the Council will strive to promote a region of opportunity and innovation - where natural capital drives green growth, ambition and quality of life rivals the best in the UK, communities are empowered and cultural identity and heritage are cherished'
A Cultural Strategy for Dumfries and Galloway
In March 2022, our council agreed a new Cultural Strategy for Dumfries and Galloway, please see below:
The Cultural Strategy has been agreed by the Dumfries and Galloway Community Planning Partnership as one of the 14 key Strategies and Plans that will assist in delivering the Local Outcomes Improvement Plan 2023-2033.
Cultural Partnership
Consultancy organisation Culture Radar was commissioned to make recommendations on setting up a Cultural Partnership for Dumfries and Galloway. This work was carried out in 2023 with extensive consultation with cultural stakeholders in the region.
A Steering Group made up of the founder members of the Partnership and a local member of the National Partnership for Culture has been taking forward the recommendations. Our council agreed the arrangements in February 2024 - linked here.
Cultural Venues
Dumfries and Galloway Council is rich in history, renowned for its culture and has a range of venues across the region to be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike, including:
- Annan Museum
- Dumfries Museum
- Gracefield Arts Centre
- Robert Burns Centre
- Kirkcudbright Galleries
- Tolbooth Art Centre, Kirkcudbright
- Sanquhar Tolbooth Museum
- The Stewartry Museum
- Stranraer Museum
- Castle of St John, Stranraer
For more details of our galleries and museums, their collection and where to find them, click here.
Financial support for culture
Our Council makes funding available to organisations and for projects relating to arts and heritage, particularly through the Major Festivals and Events Fund and the new Regional Cultural Fund. Other budgets are also available including the Regionwide Community Fund, Coastal Communities Fund and Area Committee Discretionary and Poverty and Inequalities Budgets. For more information click here.
