£10m art gallery plan takes shape

Johnston Primary has been earmarked for the gallery plans

A major funding landmark for a £10m art gallery project in south west Scotland could be reached early next year.

It is hoped a full application for £4m from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) towards the Kirkcudbright project can be completed later this month.

It would allow an initial decision from the organisation by March 2009.

The town's Johnston Primary - due to be vacated in 2010 - has already been earmarked by councillors as the site for the permanent gallery.

A stage one application for HLF funding needs to be submitted by 24 November.

If successful a more detailed bid would need to be made in 2009 in order to secure funding by early 2010.

The remaining finance would come from Dumfries and Galloway Council, European funding, private donations, sponsorship and fundraising.

The Stewartry town has a long artistic heritage.

In the early 20th Century the town and surrounding countryside were home to Edward Hornel, Jessie M King and Charles Oppenheimer.

It is hoped the new gallery would hold at least 100 works by artists associated with south west Scotland.