Reconnecting artists and audiences

DUMFRIES & Galloway Arts Festival is moving to July and going online.

The objective in 2021 is to reconnect with artists, audiences and the performing arts network, creating lasting connections after a long and difficult period of isolation.

With a safe, interactive programme, the refreshed festival plan will be more inclusive and diverse.

There will be a blended and adaptable mix of live, outdoor, socially-distanced performances by artists in their own communities and a D&G Digital Arts Festival with artists from Scotland.

The festival will run from July 16 to 25. This later date gives the team longer to film the artists who will perform, ensuring that, if restrictions are tightened, there will be a digital festival, regardless of the level of restrictions.

The plan will allow them to follow the guidelines, while offering a high-quality event for their audiences, boosting the well-being of the artists, communities and visitors.

The programme has a number of sensational surprises which are sure to entertain all ages and offer something exciting.

The 10 days will showcase the very best of theatre, music, dance, comedy and spoken word.

The programme also includes elements of the successful commissioning scheme, trialled in 2020, supporting emerging artists to create and showcase small-scale, innovative works.

Establishing the successful, digital-streaming programme in 2020 as part of the year-round Arts Live offering was no easy task but they were able to give artists a platform which reached 22,000 people.

Supporting these artists to perform as part of the 2021 festival is a key objective to enhance the support to emerging artists.

The live festival plans are based on socially-distanced, outdoor work in communities and the team are on the look-out for artists who could perform small impromptu pop-up performances of no more than 15 minutes long in their own communities.

If you would like to be a part of Scotland’s largest, rural, performing arts festival, contact the team at info@dgartsfestival.org.uk