Creative Leadership for the South of Scotland
DG Unlimited is proud to launch Leaders Unlimited: The Third Wave, the latest evolution of our highly regarded creative leadership development programme, and a flagship strand of our new Creative Compass programme for 2026 –2027.
Building on the success of Leaders Unlimited I and II (2019–2023), The Third Wave offers a bold new approach to creative professional development for those working in or aspiring to leadership roles within the creative and cultural sector across the South of Scotland.
Our fully funded Creative Leadership programme returns for its third iteration! And this time, Leaders Unlimited is a residential, taking place from 20th to 24th April 2026 and based in CAMPLE LINE, Dumfriesshire.
The next cohort will benefit from accommodation or travel, meals, four days with creative and cultural professionals, and a unique and dedicated programme of creative professional development, and if that weren’t enough, a personal Leaders Unlimited Creative Portfolio pack and a cultural excursion day are all included.
What is Leaders Unlimited: The Third Wave?
Leaders Unlimited: The Third Wave is a four-day creative residential leadership programme designed for up to ten emerging creative leaders living and working in the south of Scotland: Dumfries and Galloway, the Scottish Borders, and the three Ayrshires – North, South, or East.
Leaders Unlimited will take place in the beautiful rural setting of Thornhill, Dumfriesshire at CAMPLELINE, which is one of our region’s leading Arts Organisations.
The Leaders programme offers you a rare opportunity to step away from day-to-day pressures and immerse yourself in a supportive, creative environment dedicated to leadership, reflection, collaboration and growth.
This programme responds directly to feedback from our two previous Leaders cohorts and from our wider membership, calling for deeper more immersive opportunities for high quality creative leadership development which is rooted in rural creative life.
What Leaders Unlimited could do for you…
From 2019–2023, Leaders Unlimited supported two cohorts of creative professionals who went on to:
- lead major festivals and arts organisations in Scotland, UK, and Internationally
- shape cultural strategies in D&G, and Scotland
- build new initiatives in Scotland
- and become mentors, trustees and sector advocates across D&G and Scotland
Previous Leaders Unlimited participants described their experience as “transformational”, “empowering”, and “career-defining”. Leaders Unlimited: The Third Wave takes this legacy forward with new ambition, scale and reach.
What our programme offers…
Participants will experience:
- An intensive 4-day residential programme in the rural creative setting of CAMPLE LINE in Dumfriesshire, and a creative and cultural day trip to Glasgow.
- Workshops and facilitated sessions led by professional creative and cultural leaders.
- Peer learning and collaborative exchange.
- Individual creative reflection and leadership development.
- A supportive cohort of creative peers from across the South of Scotland.
- Upon completion, recognition through the Leaders Unlimited Award and showcase at our DG Unlimited Conference 26.
- Ongoing networking and collaboration opportunities within our growing cohort of Leaders Unlimited Alumni.
Who is Leaders Unlimited for?
Leaders Unlimited is for creative practitioners working in any creative area who:
- are already in leadership roles or have ambitions to step into leadership
- want to grow their confidence, insight and impact as a leader
- are committed to the future of the creative and cultural sector
- are based in the South of Scotland (Dumfries and Galloway | Scottish Borders | Ayrshire (North, South, or East)
This programme is open to individuals from across all artforms and disciplines.
Leaders Unlimited: The Third Wave is now open for applications! Closing date for applications is 6th March 2026.