Short Description
The National Festival of Making is a unique celebration of making, from the kitchen table to the factory floor. Presenting a programme of work that combines Art, Manufacturing, Making and Communities, we commission local and national artists to create world-class works, a year-round programme and a participatory FREE FAMILY festival for all to enjoy.
The National Festival of Making weekend will return to Lancashire on 4th & 5th July 2026, filling the streets of Blackburn with free participatory making opportunities, workshops, performances, talks, exhibitions, markets and more. The festival is recognised as a place where makers deliver an extraordinary range of workshops for all ages. Workshops make up the largest part of our programme, offering our audience the opportunity to take part in high-quality making experiences and explore new skills and materials.
Whether coming with the family or on a solo trip, the programme is packed with opportunities for intergenerational making, discovering an artists’ practice, or contemporary takes on heritage skills.
Eligibility
The organization collaborates with skilled contemporary artists and makers from local and national circles through its festival workshop program. Artists frequently adapt their practice for drop-in family festival formats, while the program also offers participants opportunities for extended, immersive workshop experiences. Consideration is consistently given to optimizing the experience for both artists and participants throughout the planning process.
The festival welcomes proposals from artists, makers, and creatives of all disciplines, seeking imaginative and distinctive workshop concepts for its 2026 program. Proposed activities should engage multi-generational audiences, from early years to adults, through inspiring and participatory experiences.
Submission Requirements
- A brief outline of your workshop idea
- A breakdown of your budget, including artist fees, materials, and travel expenses
- The target audience for your workshop (e.g., early years/family groups/adults)
- Details of any previous experience delivering workshops
- Relevant images or links to your work, e.g., Instagram/website.
How to Apply
Please email the above to applications@festivalofmaking.co.uk
Program Benefits & Awards
Through this open call, we expect to commission between 6-8 new workshops, which will complement our developing programme.
Budget: Varied, dependent on day-rate and material costs – we ask you to supply an estimated budget as part of your proposal
- All budgets should include a breakdown and are to include artist fees, materials and travel expenses.
- Workshops may take place indoors or in gazebos/marquees. We will discuss your specific space requirements if your idea is taken forward.
- Workshops are to run all day 11 am-5 pm or at bookable times throughout the day.
- Workshops usually accommodate between 6-12 participants at once. We have a large audience and encourage facilitators to be prepared for a high volume of workshop participants.
- A detailed risk assessment and proof of Public Liability Insurance of £5m will be required 4 weeks before the festival.
Entry Fee
None
Location
United Kingdom
Timeline
- Application Deadline: 8 December 2025
Website Link: https://festivalofmaking.co.uk/
