Arts jobs cut in Dumfries

AXE FALLS ON DUMFRIES ARTS JOBS

Workforce cut by five

MORE than half of the jobs at the region’s arts association are being axed under a reorganisation and restructuring programme.

The core number of posts at dgArtswill be reduced from eight to three after the organisation suffered a big cut in public funding.

Among those going is current director, Susan Garnsworthy, who has resigned her post.

Details of the five redundancies were announced this week by dgArts which said that the new business plan sets out key delivery areas, maintains strengths and will deliver ongoing commitments throughout the whole of the region, ensuring existing contracts are being met and new contracts are being signed.

A spokesman said: "Staff being made redundant have been offered the opportunity to be contracted to support delivery of existing and future projects on a freelance basis.

"A decision to move all dgArts staff from Gracefield to the Midsteeple site is a further business efficiency.

"The restructuring has also allowed an opportunity for the current director to consider her future and the board has in mutual agreement with her, chosen to accept her resignation from her existing post which will allow a new director to join the team."

A statement from dgArts said that following an intense period of restructuring, the region's arts organisation, would be looking to identify new board members with specific skills to assist with the delivery of creative arts throughout the whole of Dumfries and Galloway.

Chairman Pat Smith said: "The last year has been very challenging for the staff and board of dgArts and the board have put a significant amount of time into creating a new business plan and structure to best utilise the funding currently available.”