Emma Porteous is a Freelance Producer & Marketing Consultant at Porteous Creative and Project & Comms Manager at D&G Arts Festival
What do you love about Dumfries & Galloway? The community spirit. Everyone has been so welcoming since I moved here 10 years ago. You are never far away from a beautiful dog walk in the hills or by the coast, and the creative industries are incredible, with so many amazing opportunities here.
What’s the best thing about your hometown? Being so close to some of the most fantastic walks and nature is the best part of living near Lockerbie. I love heading into the hills and forests for a day. I also love how connected it is, and that my job allows me to travel right across the region and visit so many different communities, who have all made me feel so at home.
Tell us about your job: My main role is with Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival organising our year-round programme and 10-day Festival. I love supporting the performing arts industry and organising events in communities across D&G.
Through my freelance work as a producer and marketing consultant, I’ve worked on many incredible events and I’m always in awe of all the creative people I work with.
Who’s the most interesting person you’ve met? The team I’ve been privileged to work with at D&G Arts Festival: Liam Russell and Aisling Anderson, and previously Lou Davies. They have me in awe with the heart and soul they put into their work. I love that we are always coming up with new creative and exciting ideas for our next event. I don’t know where I’d be without their crazy creative inspiration every day.
What’s your ambition? If I hadn’t had a theatre group to go to as a teenager, I’m not sure where I’d be today. I want to make sure that those opportunities are always available for young people and everyone in the community. And to create events that resonate authentically with communities. They have the power to change someone’s world and I want to make sure we never forget that we can make a real difference.
What do you do to unwind? I love to paint, and I’ve always been a writer. I’ve been writing poetry for years and recently got to be a judge at the I Am Loud South of Scotland Regional Slam. That was a huge highlight for me! I also love to spend time with my two crazy dogs and cat, they keep me quite busy.
Where do you recommend for great entertainment? This is a region like no other. There is always an amazing programme of community events and the DIY culture of communities coming together to platform their stories and music always inspires me. And if a little biased, check out the Gatherings in Castle Douglas Town Hall twice a year by the team at UP YER AIRTS, they have some amazing events happening throughout the year.
Where do you recommend for a good bite to eat? Castle Douglas has some great cafés (Designs and Streetlights), and if you’re over in Eskdalemuir, The Old School Community Hub has an amazing café.
Tell us something that not many people know about you: I have presented in talks across Scotland with the wonderful Dr Audrey Kershaw from Lockerbie Dental educating medical professionals on Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. Having the genetic condition, I am passionate about raising awareness and educating the medical community to improve care for others.
What would you change about D&G? Increased national recognition for the incredible creative industries of Dumfries & Galloway that really is second to none, and increased funding so we can provide more opportunities for young people in the creative industries.
Dumfries & Galloway in a single word: Home
