Making Langholm
An Even better place
To Visit
Arts and Culture: Our 2030 Vision
The regeneration of Langholm and the Esk Valley will be supported via ‘Creative Placemaking’ practises led by local creatives and arts organisations. We will work with the community to ensure Langholm is a vibrant and interesting place for residents and visitors of all ages.
Arts and culture are very important for Langholm with organisations such as OutPost Arts, The Buccleuch Centre and Centrestage already delivering a range of activities. However, there is a clear potential to further benefit the local area and the community by expanding the capacity of local artists/ makers and arts organisations in order to deliver more ambitious and wide-reaching activities.
In order to increase creative opportunities, we need access to attractive and contemporary spaces which are equipped to facilitate creative events. Better partnership working will increase the likelihood of project success. We will encourage a more professional curated approach to the local creative sector which is less reliant on volunteers and will increase the quality of events/ activities on offer. This activity will impact on tourism and encourage creative professionals to settle in Langholm.
To help us to do this we will work with a range of key players including our community, local and regional artists/makers/creatives, arts organisations, property owners and developers, development trusts and partner organisations.
Arts and Culture: By 2022
Create a strong programme of creative events and activities to attract visitors to Langholm.
- Work with partner organisations to add creative aspects to existing and future activity (e.g. MTAF, Wild Eskdale Festival, Langholm Initiative).
- Support the infusion of creativity into eco and geo-tourism e.g. outdoor installations, creative displays, outdoor creative activity.
- Establish a regular artist-in-residence programme. » Pilot potential festival activities, working towards a large-scale event.
- Develop new, informal creative learning opportunities e.g. workshops, evening classes, short courses. Establish an arts/culture forum or network.
- Increase transparency and open up channels of communication.
- Develop collaborative working between groups and individuals.
- Develop a working cultural strategy for Langholm & Esk Valley. Continued to develop accredited learning which is accessible locally and remotely.
- Delivery of Arts Award.
- Work with universities and colleges to investigate possible opportunities for remote learning.
Arts and Culture: By 2025
Establish new creative/cultural links and relationships across Dumfries and Galloway, Scottish Borders and Cumbria.
- Develop an annual arts event e.g. a festival to attract large audiences from the Borderlands.
Arts and Culture: By 2030
We will have more spaces available which are equipped to facilitate creative events and activities. Key local groups and organisations will be communicating and working together effectively to increase and support creative placemaking activity locally.
We will have a more professional approach to the local creative sector, with less reliance on volunteers and have increased employment opportunities.
Creative place-making projects and activity will have a positive impact on visitor numbers and more creatives will have settled in the local area.
