Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival have announced Strategic & Creative Director, Melanie Purdie, is stepping down from her role. We are sad to see Melanie leave but support and understand her decision.
Melanie has made the difficult decision to focus on her family and the exciting opportunities that have come her way, closer to her home in Edinburgh. She leaves us to work with independent artists, events, and organisations as a freelance Programmer, Producer and Event Manager.
Over the last 18 months, alongside the staff team and board, Melanie has helped drive the organisation forward as it emerged from the pandemic, delivering two successful and diverse Arts Festival programmes and a year-round Arts Live rural touring programme. She has also worked with the team to develop Stage iT, supporting young people to make and present new work in the region and providing fresh opportunities to gain industry experience.
Melanie added: “Since joining Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival, I have been inspired by the creativity bursting from the region. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working closely with the team to deliver programmes that have engaged with thousands of people across the region and provided new performance platforms for local artists to flourish.
“It is with a heavy heart that I make the difficult decision to leave the organisation as they embark on a new phase of development. I wish the organisation best of luck and will continue to bring the performing arts to the region as a freelance producer.”