Dumfries & Galloway Arts (dgArts) in partnership with Dumfries and Galloway LEADER Programme, Scottish Natural Heritage, Forestry Commission Scotland and Dumfries and Galloway Council have commissioned a report into the economic impact of developing the region???s opportunity to become an international environmental art destination.

dgArts is pleased to announce the appointment of national research consultancy ERS, experts in the fields of economic development, regeneration and arts and culture, who have been commissioned to develop a report on the impact that Dumfries and Galloway???s environmental art practice has on the region???s growing tourism market. The study will explore the benefits of developing an identity for Dumfries and Galloway as International Home of Environmental Art and will support the region???s future role in creating a positive awareness of sustainable and ecological practices within and outwith the area.

Dumfries and Galloway has for centuries been a much-loved haven for artists, writers and philosophers. The quality of life and peaceful relationship with the landscape has been a siren call for visitors and a muse for countless inspired works, including those of Carlyle, Burns, Sir Walter Scott, Oscar Wilde, Andy Goldsworthy, Charles Jencks, Matt Baker, Hideo Furuta and more recently Landlab, Susumu Shingu, Mandy Macleod and Dalziel+Scullion.

In recent years the public art team at dgArts has worked with partners in the Forestry Commission, Dumfries and Galloway Council and Scottish National Heritage to devise a series of environmental art projects which explore and celebrate this historically rich landscape while also promoting interest in education, health and wellbeing and an emerging focus on sustainable practice, renewable energy and regeneration. Area manager with Scottish Natural Heritage Chris Miles said: ???We have enthusiastically collaborated with the artists whose works take inspiration from our landscapes. Hopefully this study will show that the variety and quality of these works has already made the region the must-see place for environmental art. We would be happy to see this connection between environment and culture becoming the defining quality that attracts visitors.???

ERS (whose past noteworthy projects include impact reports on the Angel of the North, BALTIC and the Sage Gateshead) has brought together a dynamic team of individuals with an extensive background in arts and culture projects. The team is headed up by ERS managing director and seasoned practitioner and consultant in economic development, Keith Burge.

Dr. Jan Hogarth, public art manager for Dumfries and Galloway Arts, says of the appointment, ???This report is timely and crucial to ensure the region continues to capitalise on its cultural and environmental assets against a backdrop of public sector cuts. We have to ensure that the region continues to invest in its tourism assets and remains competitive with other rural areas across the world during and as we come out of recession.???

The report will demonstrate the impact that environmental art projects and related activities have on the region???s tourism market and is key to Dumfries and Galloway???s continued regeneration.

It will particularly focus on the impact of three regionally-based projects which are at various stages of development: Andy Goldsworthy???s Striding Arches and other art and landscape destinations in Upper Nithsdale, Art in Dark Skies in Galloway, and the Border Crossing ??? Gretna Landmark project, which is currently in development in Annandale where more than 60% of visitors enter Scotland by road. It is anticipated that the results of the report will be made public by early 2011.

Dumfries & Galloway Arts
Gracefield Arts Centre
28 Edinburgh Road
www.dgarts.co.uk