Press

Press & PR

The National Festival of Making and Art In Manufacturing is built on a wealth of experience of benefit to the media when approaching stories relating to arts, cultural, creative and education industries. The highly experienced, award-winning team works year-round to connect issues of regeneration and placemaking, commissioning high-quality, critically-engaged cultural offers to promote wider access to creative, academic and practical experiences for the public at large. Spokespeople can provide comment, case studies and in-the-field evidence on topics including:

Collaboration between the arts and industry/commerce
Creativity and placemaking in the English regions
Festivals production and audience development
Commissioning arts and creative events within communities

To initiate a conversation regarding spokespersons comment, securing quotes and contributions to articles, cultural consultancy, or specialist commissioning, contact Anita Morris Associates:

Office / 01943 603311
anita@anitamorrisassociates.co.uk / 07976 584592
anys@anitamorrisassociates.co.uk / 07909 151441

Please see below examples of recent press quotes and an archive of articles covering the National Festival of Making.

Selected Press

“Blackburn, the northern town boasts a population that works in making and manufacturing at a rate twice the national average. It makes Blackburn the perfect place to host the National Festival of Making.”

– BBC Radio 4 Front Row

“Blackburn and the county of Lancashire have pioneered textile arts for hundreds of years and this event hopes to inspire guests and continue this rich legacy.”

– The West Australian

“The festival is an important component in the cultural landscape of Blackburn, Lancashire and the North of England and acts as a key advocate for meaningful cultural regeneration… totally joyful, free, gorgeous creativity…even we have been left awe-struck by Blackburn last weekend.”

– Mag North

“The National Festival of Making is a unique and wonderful programme…it gets bigger every years and 2024 is no different.”

– Lancashire Telegraph

Mag North – The National Festival of Making (2024)

The Times – News in Pictures (2024)

BBC Radio 4 Front Row – Keanu Reeves & China Miéville, The Cultural Olympiad in Paris, Making in Blackburn (2024)

BBC News – Blackburn Taken Over by Design Festival (2023)

The Manufacturer – Leading artists and UK manufacturers unite for National Festival of Making (2023)

The Guardian – Looms with a View (2023)

People, Place, Time and Space – Laurie Peake in conversation with Elena Jackson (2020)

Verso Books – Ways in which community arts organisations have responded to the economic and social effects of Covid-19 (2020)

Waterside Creatives – Volunteer Review Blog (2019)

Northern Soul – Interview with Festival Co-Founder, Wayne Hemingway MBE (2019)

Boost Business Lancashire – Review of Festival Conference Programme (2019)

A.N – Review of Art in Manufacturing commissioned artist Nicola Ellis with Ritherdon (2018)

Aesthetica Magazine – Review of Art in Manufacturing commissioned artist Liz West with Graham & Brown (2018)

Asian Image – ‘The Making of a South Asian Wedding’ with commissioned artist Dawinder Bansal (2018)

Tribune Magazine – Lauren Velvick reviews the Art In Manufacturing programme (2020)

Forbo Flooring – Art in Manufacturing Inspiration References with Artist Anna Ray (2019)

Lancashire Telegraph – Coverage of visit from Arts Council England Chief Executive Dr Darren Henley OBE (2019)

Lancashire Business View – Taste Lancashire Review (2019)

Corridor8 – Festival Review (2018)

Creative Boom – Review of Art in Manufacturing commissioned artist Liz West with Graham & Brown (2018)

Big Issue – Review of Art in Manufacturing commissioned artist Martyn Ware (2018)

Fred Aldous Manchester – Blog Post (2018)

BBC Breakfast – Live broadcast from the National Festival of Making (2017)

Manchester Evening News – Making Taste Celebrity Kitchen in partnership with the BBC (2017)

Furniture News – Review of Art in Manufacturing commissioned artist Bella May Leonard with Silent Night (2017)

National Lottery Heritage Fund – Funding News (2017)

The Guardian – Kitchen Table Makers ft. Zainab Bilal (2017)

Interior Design – Review of Art in Manufacturing commissioned artist Lazarian with Cardboard Box Company (2017)

British Plastics – Review of Art in Manufacturing commissioned artist Robyn Woolston with MGS Plastics (2017)

BBC Breakfast – Featuring Art in Manufacturing commissioned artist Ruth Jones with Cherry Tree Bakery (2017)

Design Week – Festival Launch Coverage (2016)

The festival felt like Blackburn had become a destination!

Visitor Survey

It was great. I love the way that Blackburn tells the story of its making heritage too in a very 21 century way. You should go!

Marie Millward | Twitter

Quality activites, something for all & no screens in sight! Great example for #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek

@communikat | Twitter

The hugely visionary & engaging @festofmaking was a huge multi organisation & agency #humdinger of bobby dazzling proportions! Huge thumbs up!

Sir Bill Taylor

Funders

Trusts & Foundations

The National Festival Of Making Delivery Team

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.