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About

The Stove Network is about people coming together because they believe in the value of arts and culture and want to take part in (and/or support) making creativity part of the place they live. Our diverse membership consists of over 600 artists and other active citizens, ranging from café-owners to wild food chefs, from video artists to DJs, from local businesses to retirees. While the bulk of our members come from Dumfries and the wider region, many others are from the rest of Scotland, the UK and beyond.

Stove members care about a wide range of issues: culture and the arts, heritage, community activism, regeneration, the environment and so much more. Collectively, we have already achieved great changes and by lending your voice you can help us to achieve even more for Dumfries and Galloway.

You do not need to be a practicing artist to become a member of The Stove Network and we are always keen to hear about what you are interested in. Being a member is free and only commits you to as much as you yourself want to do. Joining is easy, just fill in the form at the right hand side of this page. For more information on our privacy policy please click here.

Membership of The Stove brings with it distinct benefits for people with a whole host of interests, skills and ambitions. Read more about them below as well as testimonials from our members.

Member Testimonials

Kirsty Turpie

Having returned to Dumfries after living in Dundee and Glasgow, I was impressed to find a place that could offer such a diverse array of events and opportunities in one place. I joined the Stove as a member in 2015 and quickly became involved in both the Environmental Arts Festival (EAFS) and Nithraid. Soon, I was turning up at the Stove on a weekly basis sampling everything else they had on offer including Blueprint 100, Tuesday night workshops for 16-30 year olds, the monthly open mic night, Real to Reel Film nights, exhibition openings and one-off events. I have always felt welcomed, supported, encouraged and included by the Stove. I have volunteered, worked for and learned from the organisation and the wonderful growing community that surrounds it.

Alan James

I have been involved with the Stove from early on, in particular in its programmes to awaken interest in the special qualities of Dumfries, which bring many opportunities to encourage community involvement and regenerate the urban fabric of the town, and which tie in with my professional life in urban design and sustainable transport. I have fond memories of three projects – one photographing features great and small in Dumfries through a picture frame, another making a photographic record of sculpture on buildings, and the excellent ‘Act as if you own the place’ seminar in June 2017. The Stove’s approach to community and arts-led revitalisation and renewal of Dumfries, epitomised by the Midsteeple Quarter project, is both ground-breaking and inspirational. The concept of town centres as tired old retail outlets by day and “cats and caretakers” by night has to change, and The Stove is leading the way in reimagining what might be.

Member Benefits

Opportunities

The Stove Network is an organisation that provides opportunities and paid commissions for our local creative community. Typically, opportunities are circulated to members before being advertised more widely.

  • Stove members can:
    • work as an artist or other contractor on Stove Network projects
    • bring ideas for projects to be developed through The Stove Network
    • be offered opportunities for commissions and other work in the arts

Information

The Stove Network sits at the heart of Dumfries & Galloway and is a confluence where people, communities and creatives converge. We are involved in a wide array of partnerships and projects that directly affect both the region and Scotland more widely. this means that we are a key place where information on the arts, community activism, regeneration, heritage, the environment and much more is shared. Stove members will have access to this information first and we also act as a place where you can bring news and ideas.

Active Involvement

When you join The Stove, you can become actively involved in a community that seeks to improve the places where we live. The Stove hosts and supports a wide variety of events that you can get involved in as a participant or as part of the audience. We also provide opportunities for people to upskill, volunteer and mentor – a place where you can share your skills and experience as well as gain new ones. We are always looking to support both people who wish to provide opportunity for others as well as those who wish to volunteer with our projects.

  • Members of The Stove can:
    • keep up to date with our programme of events – take part or be part of the audience
    • volunteer and get experience of working in the arts/contribute to the future of Dumfries
    • offer opportunities to others – young people, volunteering, skills building
    • gain valuable experience for your CV
    • attend our annual AGM where you can have input into projects and events as well as the direction The Stove is taking
    • attend welcome events for new members.

Discount & Services

Membership of The Stove Network also provides you with other useful benefits. Our building at 100 High Street Dumfries is a great resource for people who what to hold events, workshops, conferences, meetings etc.

  • Members of The Stove can:
    • 10% off* in our Cafe (*t&c’s apply)
    • Hold a meeting at The Stove building
    • Run or attend a workshop at The Stove building.

Join us as a Member

By joining, you subscribe to our monthly mailings which provide information on the organisation, opportunities and other news. The personal information provided on this form will be stored electronically by The Stove Network for membership and mailing purposes only and will not be disclosed to any other party. For more information please see our privacy policy.

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