Contour lines in teal that represent the height of topography. Just used as decoration.

A Creative Placemaking Network

Working to embed creative & collaborative approaches to community-led change

What We Do Now is a growing network of hubs and practitioners and partners passionate about the power of creativity in supporting communities to shape their own futures.

We are rooted in our place, working with and supporting communities in Dumfries and Galloway, Southwest Scotland, but are building an international network of practitioners and other partners to celebrate best practice in creative placemaking* as a route to building a better society.

Collectively we are part of a growing movement in community empowerment and collaborative working towards a wider social change.

We develop work that is:

Explorative
Community-led
Inclusive
Collaborative
Reflective

The network is co-ordinated by The Stove, an arts and community organisation based in Dumfries, southwest Scotland, using creative activity and community-led programming to bring people together to work for positive change.

*Creative Placemaking is a community led approach that uses creative activity to support collective decision-making and positive change for people and the places they live.

What is Special About WWDN?

A group of people sit in a loose circle on sofas and floor cushions, engaged in a relaxed discussion. One person in the centre speaks while the others listen attentively, creating a sense of open dialogue and shared participation. The setting is informal and creative, with a dark chalkboard wall behind them framed by decorative artwork. The scene conveys community interaction, reflection, and collaborative conversation in a welcoming space.

Membership

Join a network of activators, creative freelancers, businesses, community groups and organisations

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A close‑up view of people seated together at what appears to be a workshop or group session. In the foreground, one participant, wearing a colourful patterned jumper and plaid trousers, writes in an open notebook balanced on their lap. The handwritten notes include the words ‘Understanding’, ‘Knowledge’, ‘Learning’, ‘Creativity’, ‘To Grow’, and ‘To Understand’. Beside them, another person holds a booklet or folder, and several attendees wear name badges, indicating an organised, facilitated event. The image conveys active participation, reflection, and shared learning within a collaborative setting.

Services

Professional assistance, consulting and training to support the development of creative placemaking projects

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A colourful hand‑drawn mural featuring a caterpillar transforming into butterflies, symbolising growth and positive change. The artwork includes flowing illustrated butterflies moving across the wall, accompanied by handwritten motivational phrases such as ‘Transformation’, ‘A flow of butterflies’, ‘ACTION FOR CHANGE’, ‘I am becoming, therefore I am learning’, ‘for good not destruction’, and ‘our future’. The style is informal and expressive, suggesting a community or educational setting focused on creativity, learning, and collective progress.

Sparks

Develop ideas to ignite, inspire, and provoke new and imaginative explorations within your communities

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The WWDN Community

The WWDN network shares a collective vision for using creativity to activate and enable the latent power within our communities. Through our work, and that of our members, we aim to connect, innovate and influence, building local knowledge, skills, and capacity in creative placemaking as a driver for community-led change.

The WWDN Membership is a community of practice to develop, share, and advocate for best practices in creative placemaking.
Membership is open to practitioners (individual or collective) from around the globe and community groups and organisations operating within Dumfries and Galloway.
Through our Membership, WWDN aims to present a shared voice, raising the profile of creative placemaking, and influencing local and regional policies towards more inclusive and creative engagement in decision-making.

This work can be challenging, including establishing collaborative processes, resourcing, navigating bureaucratic systems, and building the capacity for work to have a long-term impact on communities. The WWDN network is a space to navigate challenges together, supporting members individually as well as building shared and collective capacity that can be drawn on.

As a member, you will:

Share your work with the network and beyond through this website
Be part of shaping the WWDN network
Be supported to develop creative placemaking work
Join cross-disciplinary teams, formed from the network, taking on new collaborative work opportunities and commissions
Stay informed about creative placemaking activities and developments in Dumfries and Galloway and beyond

It is quick and easy to become a member

Sign Up: Fill out our simple registration form to become a member of WWDN.
Create Your Profile: Tell us about yourself and/or your organisation, and share with others your work and contributions.
Engage: Explore current projects and new opportunities, and connect with other members to start collaborating.
Contribute: Share your ideas, insights, and experiences to contribute to the collective knowledge of the network and inspire others.