In July 2022 we received funding to create a series of new artworks, installations and events across Lancashire by a team of outstanding artists.

The project will see three artistic interventions, a digital artwork, a new touring theatre performance and six short digital stories produced during Autumn 2022 and released between October 2022 and March 2023. The first of the commissions to be developed will be based at Haslingden Library and open to the public during the October half term.

Emma Long, a community artist based in Rossendale, has been selected to create the first of the commissions. ‘Entwined on the Vine’ is a community art installation which will see a carefully crafted vine growing within Haslingden Library.

Through workshops and conversations at the library and within the community, Emma intends to gather stories about plants and encourage participants to craft those stories into individual leaves to be added to the vine.

Cath Ford, a visual artist based in Blackburn, has been commissioned to develop artwork in partnership with a GP practice in Lostock Hall.

Her artwork will be created following a series of workshops and consultations with patients and residents as well as staff at the practice. The intention is to distil important themes and generate an artwork representative of local people, which will be unveiled in early 2023.

Eye of Newt, a theatre company from Hebden Bridge, supported by our Burnley promoters group, will research and develop a new touring production aimed at intergenerational themes for the whole family. They will create a show which could tour residential care homes and spaces where all the generations of a family can enjoy a performance together. 

In early 2020 we collaborated with Great Harwood Library and a group of local people to commission Ruth Cockburn to write and produce Miss Nobodies.  The original plan was to produce a touring theatre show which was perfect for tiny spaces but inspired by local stories. At the time, Great Harwood would have been described as a left-behind town (now the term is levelling up) but if you spend any time walking down the high street it is obvious there is a spirit of entrepreneurialism with many small businesses run by women. Miss Nobodies, inspired by the history of the town, the strength of local women and informed by the writings of Ethel Carnie Holdsworth, is a touring show and available for bookings here. This commission was supported by Arts Council England, Lancashire County Council, Super Slow Way and the Near Neighbours Fund. 

In 2021 we also saw the premiers of two pieces of outdoor theatre co-commissioned with the Friends of Fairhaven Lake and our Burnley Promoters Group. Both were delayed by the pandemic but hit the ground with tours of Lancashire and beyond.

Eye of Newt produced The Cabinet of Curiosity, a non-verbal exploration of a little girl’s adventurous imagination.

Frolicked produced Conference of the Birds based on a Sufi poem of the same name.