Background:

dgArts, originally Dumfries & Galloway Arts Association, was established in 1985 by Scottish Arts Council and Dumfries & Galloway Regional Council to support and deliver cross border touring and arts development in Dumfries & Galloway. It has a track record of delivery in the performing arts particularly in hosting residencies over the last 25 years, with public art delivered through Gingko projects since 1997, literature development alongside writers’ residencies from 2003, community arts engagement since an initial project in the aftermath of Foot and Mouth in 2002 and an audience development unit since 2005.

From 2001 the turnover of the organisation has quadrupled from £250k to over £1 million (2008-9) through the activities of a dedicated business development post. In 2008, the SAC and DGC agreed a rescue package of £200,000 to address a rolling deficit due to inadequate financial systems and control. A return to financial stability was achieved in June 2009 however In June 2010 the application for Flexible Funding from the SAC was declined, leaving dgArts with a reduction in unrestricted core funding of £200,000 from April 2011.

In discussions with Creative Scotland and Dumfries & Galloway Council, it has become clear that a revised business plan and organisational review is urgently required to reflect rapidly changing priorities in current arts and cultural policy world and new opportunities in Dumfries & Galloway.  This work will need to be completed by the end of January 2011. The plan will be the key to dgArts Board and senior management team in restructuring and refocusing, in order to take forward a restructured organisation from April 2011.

Advisor/Facilitator requirements:

The person or persons appointed will need to work very closely with dgArts Board and senior management team to identify clearly the strategic priorities for the organisation, the financial parameters and business potential.  They will also be expected to consult key stakeholders as necessary.

They will prepare proposals for a restructured organisation with achievable aims and priorities, working closely with the Board and senior management team.  This process will start as soon as the contractor is appointed and will result in a new business model for the organisation and a business plan for 2011 -12 with an outline business plan for 2011-2014.

The contractor selected will have significant experience in change management, a good understanding of the changing financial environment in the arts and wider public sector and have both insight and experience of alternative business models for arts organisations.

The contractor will be selected on the following criteria:
Facilitator will have a demonstrable track record of tangible achievement in work with arts and cultural organisations in the following areas:

- Change management
- Strategic planning
- Business planning
- Knowledge and understanding of public sector policy and current drivers in Scotland
- Artistic vision
- Identifying opportunities and able to make qualitative judgements
- A track record of preparing successful business plans based on research
- Knowledge and understanding of cultural policy, practice and organisational models
- Some knowledge of the South of Scotland and dgArts (formerly Dumfries & Galloway Arts Association) would be desirable but not essential

We will need your tender submission in the form of a hard copy and by email.  Submissions should include the following information:

- Previous experience relevant to the current tender with names and contact details of two referees
- Staff undertaking the work, their specialist involvement and their cost per day. A short curriculum vitae for all members (if applicable) of the team. The responsibilities and time input of individual members of the team should be clearly identified
- Outline timetable for work; including dates for interim and final reports/presentations to the Board The revised business model and outline business plan 2011 -14 for dgArts with recommendations on restructuring needs to be completed by Friday 28^th January 2011
- Overall and full breakdown of costs (research and administrative staff, analysis and reporting, travel and subsistence and VAT)

Fee available is £400 per day for a maximum of 10 days.  Deadline for submission Monday 13^th December 12 noon.  Selection will be made by Wednesday 15^th December and an initial meeting is planned for Monday 20^th December 2010.

The LATEST on 5  days of entertainment  at the Plainstanes in Dumfries

Fri 26 November
7.30pm Dumfries Musical Theatre Company present ‘MacConnachie’s Bus’
Brigend Theatre – Tickets from dgArts 01387 253383 or at www.dgarts.co.uk
8pm Cats play rockabilly at So Below
8pm Brian Harris & Friends at the Coach & Horses

Sat 27 November
1.30pm Scottish Traditional Music from the Plainstanes Stage featuring The Great Moniaive Road Show, which showcases the music of Brian Lewis and Rena O’Brien, McCrossan, Taylor and McFadzean and Black-eyed Biddy.
5pm an awesome Aerial Fireshow Finale with trapeze arts, fire and St Andrew’s traditional magic
7.30pm Dumfries Musical Theatre Company presents ‘MacConnachie’s Bus’ at the Brigend Theatre.

Sun 28 November
Children’s entertainments in town all afternoon from Hatrick & Friends, stilt walkers, pirates, Wonderland characters, orange-boiler-suited tea-break specialists and circus performers.  Suitably surreal and festive nonsense with children young and old.
1pm New line-up Flat Rabbit from Nick Jenkins & Co.
2pm KODA – a young band from Biggar with Fiddle, Pipes/Whistles and Eight Accordions supported by a lively Rhythm section
3pm  The Pipes and Drums of the The Royal Scots Borderers, 1^st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland marching up the High Street to the Plainstanes WITH REGRET THE ROYAL SCOTS BORDERERS HAVE HAD TO CANCEL DUE TO SEVERE WEATHER CONDITIONS IN LOTHIAN & BORDERS
3.15  Finding Albert http://www.myspace.com/findingalbert
4pm Panto Procession featuring the actors from River City in Cinderella
4.15  More From Jim http://www.facebook.com/pages/More-From-Jim/60362564437#!/pages/More-From-Jim/60362564437
5pm Christmas Lights Switch On with The Provost, River City Actors and Young Citizen

Mon 29 November
2pm Plainstanes Stage: Calside Choir led by choirmistress Rachel Reekie
2.15 Maurice Suthurst and Elaine Johnson
3.15 Summerhill Youth Dance Group dance to Time of My Life by Blackeyed Peas
3.20 Sweet Relief – young musicians from Gatehouse
4.20 Jade Walters accoustic guitar and a great voice
4.30pm St Andrew’s Eve Traditions…Look out for THE QUINE OF HEARTS, who will be at the Plainstanes, then at the Globe Inn,  coaching single ladies in the use of traditional magic to divine their future partners in the coming year…
7.15 Ali Baba Panto at Theatre Royal.  All tickets £7 from dgArts
8pm Scottish Music in The Globe
St Andrews Monday Comedy Club Special at So You Cafe with Comedian Paul Sneddon.  Vladimir McTavish introduces ‘Scotlands Top 50 Greats’
Tickets £5  from So You Cafe or on the door.  Ticket price includes a bowl of stovies.

Tues 30 November
20pm Plainstanes Stage: Euan Davies piper from Dumfries High School
2.15 reggae from Sky Ya Man
3.15 Attitude Dance Dumfries with dance and martial arts display
4.15 Luna Davidson solo artist
7.15 Ali Baba Panto at Theatre Royal.  All tickets £7 from dgArts

Have a Go Arts and Crafts Activities at The Y, Castle Street, Dumfries – FREE including lunch
dgArts in partnership with Building Healthy Communities creating opportunities for improved health and wellbeing
Arts Opps for people living with a long-term condition
To book your place on the day please ring dgArts on 01387 253383 or call in at the Midsteeple, High Street, Dumfries or call Kirsty McDonald 01387 279279
10am Welcome and tea and coffee
10.30 Demonstrations by four artists – see Mosaic Design, Silk Painting, Willow Workshops and Singing
11 – 12.30  Have a Go at one of the activities – you choose
12.30 – 1.30 Soup and sandwiches
1.30 – 3 Have a Go at one of the activities – you choose
3.00 Day ends

Supported by GaelForce

Literature Development Officer for Dumfries & Galloway Arts Association, Carolyn Yates said, “Open Stage is at So You Café on the 29^th, and we’re looking forward to welcoming everyone and having a great time!  I’m sure it’ll be another night of talent, surprise and pleasure – come early to book your space to perform, and to get good seats!”

Organised by Dumfries & Galloway Arts, Open Stage provides a unique opportunity for poets and singer songwriters in the region to perform in front of a friendly live audience.

Zac Scott and Megan Welsh are the front two members of Dumfries based band, Without Reason. Without Reason is a nine-piece band, complete with string quartet, who have a passion to make music. They started out as a four piece – writing music when the Transform team from National Theatre of Scotland came down to make a piece of contemporary theatre at Dumfries Academy. Subsequently, the band added a string quartet (3 violins and a harp) and extra percussion/guitar help to the set up, and is now recording at the SAE studios in Glasgow after opening this year’s Eden Festival.

Megan’s greatly talented vocal ability has been praised on a number of levels – recently she represented Dumfries Academy at Guid Nychburris as the singer for 2010, having been nominated for this role by members of the school music department. She performs in the D&G Regional Youth Choir.  Zac’s guitar playing and vocal have earned him praise too – he also sings in the D&G Regional Youth Choir. Megan and Zac’s vocal harmonies have often been highlighted, and many have said that their voices work together wonderfully.

The duo is going to play a collection of original material as well as a few cover songs, and is really looking forward to playing So You at the end of September.

Nicola Black will be your compere for the evening, and Dumfries & Galloway Arts will be there to welcome you at 7pm to book your own performance slot. The show starts at 7.30, and if you don’t want to perform, come along to join our friendly audience for a great night.  £3 on the door.

Booking contact: The CatStrand 01644 420374

[email protected]