18 October 2018
The Creative industries are worth almost £10million an hour to the UK economy and remain one of the fastest growing sectors. To launch the Lightpool Festival, The North’s leading light art festivals and the innovation foundation Nesta are coming together in Blackpool’s Winter Gardens on the 18th October to consider how light festival relate to the creative economy, as drivers for regeneration. The event will bring together funders, cultural businesses, artists and producers to explore and debate the creative economy, alternative forms of finance in the sector and the social and environmental sustainability of our cities.
Sessions include themes such as investment readiness, partnership building, culture and placemaking, and the role of social investment in the changing funding landscape. This is the first event of its kind outside of London, intended for creative and cultural organisations, people working on regeneration or urban planning, or anyone connected to the light industries.
Organisations helping to spark discussion and debate on the day will include Arts Council England, the Arts Impact Fund, Light Up the North Festival Producers and Directors from two of Europe’s leading Light Festivals.
Keynote speakers and sessions include:
Bettina Pelz and Carole Purnelle– European Perspectives – the impact of Light Festivals
Trishna Nath – Investment readiness: What is it and what does it look like?
Seva Phillips – Alternative finance – what’s needed in the North?
Ronnie Brown, Blachère – Light and Light Technologies: Where next?
Julie Brown, Ann Wishart, Kate Harvey – So you want to run a light festival?
The event is co-hosted by Nesta and the Lightpool Festival, building on the legacy of the world-famous Blackpool Illuminations through contemporary art, performance and engagement.
The conference is free to attend, registration is essential.
When: 18 October
Where: Winter Gardens, Blackoool
Arts Council England: Francis Runacres – Executive Director of Innovation and Enterprise
Arts Council England: Jane Tarr, Director of Resilience
Artist: Mark Titchner
BBC Philharmonic: Simon Webb – Manager of BBC Philharmonic
Great Exhibition of the North: Carol Bell – Director
Inside Out Dorset: Bill Gee – Creative Producer and Artistic Director
Interference, Tunis: Bettina Pelz – Curator, Artistic Director
Light Up the North : Ann Wishart – Chair
Ocubo, Portugal : Carole Purnell – Founder/CEO
Thursday 18 October (10.00-17.00)
10.00: Registration
11.00: Conference and Arts & Culture Finance Fair
17.00: Networking reception
19.00: Light Odyssey presented by Lightpool Festival (discounted tickets will be available for participants of the conference)
Friday 19 October (10.00-14.00)
10.00: Facilitated networking for artists and creative producers interested in light art and festivals
12.00: Conference ends
Hosted by Abbe Robinson – Co-chair Light Up The North
Panel:
Rachel Wood – Creative Programmes and Event Manager, Oldham Council
Gemma Saunders and Jude Jagger – Things That Go On Things
Julie Brown – Creative Producer, Light Up Lancaster
Kate Doyle – Head of Programme,Lightwaves Salford
