Professional & Creative Development
We aim to provide support and opportunities to enable the creative talent of Dumfries & Galloway to flourish.
We deliver a creative and professional development strand within our yearly programme to support the visual artists and makers based in D&G. We aim to provide support and opportunities to enable the creative talent of the region to flourish. From emerging to established artists Upland seeks to offer opportunities to help connect and grow our membership.
Professional development sessions and opportunities vary each year. See 'opportunities' and 'events' for forthcoming events.
Our Creative and Professional Development programme varies year to year, as we listen and respond to our members needs, but it regularly includes the following:
- Advice Sessions - Sessions and workshops covering various topics from advice on how to approach galleries to how to do your own PR.
- Go & See Trips and bursaries - Connect with other Upland members and join organised trips to various exhibitions and museums.
- Residency Opportunities - Upland has previously run a pilot residency for Upland members with Cove Park and is developing new residency exchange opportunities.
- Peer Support groups - we offer support to help initiate peer led support groups, enabling opportunities to discuss work in progress in a supportive environment.
- Artist talks & events linked to current projects.
- Peer mentoring sessions - 1:1 peer mentoring to help progress your practice
Some of these opportunities are for Upland Members only, but many are open to all. For more information on upcoming events & opportunities visit the relevant pages. If you are an Upland member and would like to make a suggestion please use the 'feed your ideas' form.
Would you like to join Upland? Find out how here.
The 2017 programme was supported by LEADER & Creative Scotland.
The 2019-23 programme is supported by Creative Scotland
Register Your Interest in a Peer Support Group for Upland Members
Would you benefit from meeting with other artists and makers to discuss your work?
Upland can help you to establish a peer support group in your area.
Professional Development Survey
Tell us what you want to get out of our Professional Development opportunities!
Submission Deadline: 12th March
Go & See Bursaries: Helen Acklam
Harald Sohlberg: Painting Norway - Dulwich Picture Gallery, South London
Go & See Bursaries: Rory Laycock, research trip to Naples
Forming part of our professional development strand, the Go & See travel bursaries aim to assist professional artists and makers to visit events and exhibitions outwith the region that are relevant to the development of their practice.
This report was written by Rory Laycock who received support to undertake a research trip to Naples in 2019.
Go & See Bursaries: Deborah Campbell visit to the Rijswijk Textile Biennial
Forming part of our professional development strand, the Go & See travel bursaries aim to assist professional artists and makers to visit events and exhibitions outwith the region that are relevant to the development of their practice.
This report was written by Deborah Campbell
Go & See Bursaries: Alison Macleod
Forming part of our professional development strand, the Go & See travel bursaries aim to assist professional artists and makers to visit events and exhibitions outwith the region that are relevant to the development of their practice.
This report was written by Alison Macleod who visited the exhibition Tim Walker: Wonderful Things at the V&A in London (November 2019)
Go & See Bursaries: Morag Macpherson
Forming part of our professional development strand, the Go & See travel bursaries aim to assist professional artists and makers to visit events and exhibitions outwith the region that are relevant to the development of their practice.
This report was written by Morag Macpherson, who took part in an Eco-print, Dye and Stitch Creative Retreat at the Granton Hub, Edinburgh (November 2019)
Go & See Bursaries: Sarah Rogers
Forming part of our professional development strand, the Go & See travel bursaries aim to assist professional artists and makers to visit events and exhibitions outwith the region that are relevant to the development of their practice.
This report was written by Sarah Rogers, who attended the Goldsmith’s Fair at the Guild Hall in London (November 2019)
Peer Crit Group: Laura Derby
In May 2020 artists Laura Derby, Aileen MacEwan, Caroline Hone and Emily Tough formed a peer crit group to better support eachother and their practices. Here Laura shares her experiences.
Go & See Bursaries: South West Scotland Printmakers in Fife!
South West Scotland Printmakers (SWSP) took a trip to Dunfermline Printmakers Workshop as part of Upland's Professional Development Programme.
Go & See Bursaries: Ruth Jones
Forming part of our professional development strand, the Go & See travel bursaries aim to assist professional artists and makers to visit events and exhibitions outwith the region that are relevant to the development of their practice.
This report was written by Ruth Jones, who attended Collect at Somerset House in London (March 2023).
Go & See Bursaries: Emily Tough
Forming part of our professional development strand, the Go & See travel bursaries aim to assist professional artists and makers to visit events and exhibitions outwith the region that are relevant to the development of their practice.
This report was written by Emily Tough who received support to undertake a trip to Barrow in Furness.
Go & See Bursaries: Morag Macpherson
Forming part of our professional development strand, the Go & See travel bursaries aim to assist professional artists and makers to visit events and exhibitions outwith the region that are relevant to the development of their practice.
This report was written by Morag Macpherson.
Press Release: Fresh Talent - Spring Fling Champions the Next Generation
Pop art, feminism, farming and photography – working towards a sustainable cultural economy for Dumfries and Galloway.
Upland Members Visit Collect
Upland Members Alison Macleod and Morag Macpherson received Go & See Bursaries to visit Collect: The International Art Fair for Contemporary Objects at the Saatchi Gallery London.
Emerge - Young Artists Bursary Applications Open
Applications are now open for the Emerge bursary 2017
First Upland at Cove Park Residency underway
Upland member Morag Macpherson begins residency at Cove Park
Revisiting Hothouse - Colin Tennant, Out of the Blue
Colin Tennant featured on Hothouse blog
17 August 2016: Talk By Silvana McLean & Kirsten Bertelsen
Upland is pleased to be working with the Stove to organise two artist talks with a Nordic theme on
17 August 2016.