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Dodecalis Luminarium, 2021. Photo by Robin Zahler.
Stitch School Workshop, 2024. Photo by Emma Colbert-Mooring.
School Guided Tour, 2023. Photo by Robin Zahler.
Assembly Workshop, 2022. Photo by Bea Davidson.
Waterworld, 2022. Photo by Bea Davidson.

Year Round

Home / Year Round

We work with artists, makers and communities to create extraordinary projects.

YESS Lad, 2023. Photo by Rachel Bywater.

Making is at the core of everything we do, woven into our work throughout the year. 

Offering experiences that extend the festival beyond a weekend, our workshop series is just one way we invite people to engage with making. Through projects, learning programmes, and work with people and groups, we tell stories and build connections to create shared cultural experiences across Lancashire and beyond. 

Our year-round programme responds to people and place, and provides artists and communities with the space to experiment, learn, and make together.

Projects

Our projects grow from collaborations. We support and commission new work, develop and expand installations for different environments, and create opportunities for people to connect through making.

Explore our portfolio of current and past projects to see how communities, artists and makers shape the work we do.

View all projects

Featured Projects

Come As You Really Are by Hetain Patel, 2025. Photo by Robin Zahler.

Come as You Really Are: Hetain Patel

A celebration of the nation's hobbies, bringing together a network of arts and culture organisations led by artist Hetain Patel and commissioner Art Angel.

Find out more

The People's Jury, 2024. Photo by Get it Done.

The People's Jury: Get It Done

Rooted in principles of co-design, the National Festival of Making worked with Blackburn with Darwen’s People’s Jury on the Climate Crisis over 12 months.

Find out more

Of Earth & Sky, 2021. Photo by Bea Davidson.

Of Earth and Sky: Luke Jerram

Artist Luke Jerram, in collaboration with poet Hafsah Aneela Bashir, brought giant-scale poetry to life across Blackburn with Darwen.

Find out more

Crafts Council + CoB, 2025. Photo by Emma Colbert-Mooring.

People & Groups

People are always at the centre of our work. Whether it’s through our focus group, volunteering, or Creatives of Blackburn (CoB), there are many ways to get involved with our work and programmes.

Outside of public programmes and groups, we also collaborate with partners on strategic initiatives and development opportunities, including LANDS (Lancashire Arts Network for Developing Sustainability), Arts Lancashire, Lancashire Business Board and Blackburn’s Place Partnership.

Explore People & Groups

The National Festival of Making is free entry and not for profit. Donate now to help secure our future.

Donate

Learning

Getting young people and teachers involved in making is hugely important to us, whether in primary or secondary education, through youth organisations and libraries, or in higher education settings.

We engage with schools and educators on a local and national level through speaking events, seminars, workshops and Live Briefs.

Visit our Learning page

School Guided Tour, 2023. Photo by Robin Zahler.

News

14 March 2026
Join the National Festival of Making Focus Group

Join the National Festival of Making Focus Group

Are you passionate about creativity, culture, and community? Do you have ideas and insights to help shape the future of the National Festival of Making? 

12 March 2026
Blackburn bids to become the UK’s first Town of Culture

Blackburn bids to become the UK’s first Town of Culture

Creative and community organisations are leading a bid for Blackburn to become the UK’s first ever Town of Culture.

24 February 2026
Lancashire Food Traders and Producers: Become Part of the National Festival of Making

Lancashire Food Traders and Producers: Become Part of the National Festival of Making

Join us to showcase the best food and drink to over 30,000 visitors in Blackburn at the National Festival of Making this July.

23 February 2026
Makers Market: Apply to exhibit

Makers Market: Apply to exhibit

Curated by Hopeful & Glorious, the Makers Market is a vibrant celebration of art, craft, and design from across the region. Want to become a 2026 stall holder? Apply now!

19 December 2025
Radical Pairings: Publication available now

Radical Pairings: Publication available now

Radical Pairings is a new publication celebrating the work of five exceptional women artists who exhibited new work created during residencies with manufacturers in the North in 2022.

View all News

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Come As You Really Are by Hetain Patel, 2025. Photo by Robin Zahler.

I’m very grateful to be a member of this collective and feel like the benefits of this group have instantly been felt. I’m extremely glad I joined and value this opportunity very much.

CoB Member
Festival in a Box, 2020. Photo by Robin Zahler.

I find that The Festival Of Making are doing brilliant work with and for the community, which I love to see and ultimately benefit from.

Workshop Participant
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Funders

  • Arts Council England
  • Blackburn with Darwen
  • Blackburn College
  • Brian Mercer Trust
  • Lancashire County Council
  • Blackburn Bid
  • The Granada Foundation
  • Funded by UK Government

In creative partnership with

  • Creative Lancashire
  • Deco Publique
  • Hemingway Design
  • Source Creative

National Festival of Making is supported by the Arts Council England, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, Brian Mercer Trust and Foundations and partners. This project is part-funded by the UK Government through the UK shared prosperity fund.

Branding and website by Source

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