Light Up The North National Conference- 18/10/18 - 19/10/18 - Winter Gardens Blackpool

Sep, 28 2018

~Creative people often have a ‘light bulb’ moment, this could be an inspired idea that is both innovative and cultural. It often involves a great deal of planning, organisation and required financial agreement to get the ‘light bulb’ moment switched on.

It would be beneficial therefore to hold a conference which brings together creative minds with the strong emphasis of light being the talking point.

Hosted by the Lightpool Festival, the Light Up the North Network (LUTN) of leading northern light festivals presents its second national conference in the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, 18-19th October 2018.

The conference aims to bring together funders, cultural businesses, artists and producers to explore and debate the creative economy, light art and festivals, alternative forms of finance in the sector and the social and environmental sustainability of our festivals and cities. Using light festivals as case studies, they will share expert insight as to their impact on audiences, local economy and cultural infrastructure development.

Here are three key points you will take away from the two days :-

Develop an understanding of the possibilities for financing cultural activities beyond grant funding
Learn how repayable finance can be used to drive forward creative and cultural ventures
Create ideas for new projects and collaborations.

Here is a list of the speakers during the two day conference :-

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

Please note the complete itinerary of the conference as follows :-

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

Here is some more information on ‘Light Odyssey’ which will be performed at the closure of the first day :-

It will be a once-only performance with BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and international teams of animators, bringing the Empress Ballroom to life in jaw-dropping 3D. Tickets for the Light Odyssey can be purchased from the Winter Gardens website (participants attending the conference will be offered reduced entry)For more details on Light and the Creative Economy Conference go to LUTN or contact: phil@dragoncreative.co.uk

The Light up the North Network have created their own ‘light bulb’ moment across the UK. Up to seven northern light festivals have come together to share their collective expertise to support both the development of the partner festivals and the wider sector. They continue to thrive by harbouring creative talent through joint fundraising over a series of regional, national and international networking. They have garnered local support by delivering aspirational work to an appreciative audience. Supported by Arts Council England.

Here are the seven networks :-

Blackpool Illuminations: 31 August–4 November
LightPool, Blackpool: 18 & 25-27 October
Light Night Leeds: 4 & 5 October
Light Up Lancaster: 2 & 3 November
Enchanted Parks, Gateshead: 4-9 December
Lightwaves, Salford Quays: 7-16 December
Lumiere, Durham 2019

Join them to share your ‘light bulb’ moment :-

Light and the Creative Economy Light Up the North National Conference
Venue: Winter Gardens Blackpool
Dates: Thursday 18 & 19 October 2018.

^Alex Ashworth.