News

26 October 2026
A colourful geometric sculpture with a multicoloured circular face stands against a bright mural featuring stylised flowers and bold shapes in yellow, green, purple, red, and blue.

Art in Manufacturing Open Call: Crown Paints & Fox’s Burton’s Companies UK

The National Festival of Making is releasing a new Art in Manufacturing opportunity for an Artist Residency with Crown Paints & Fox's Burton's Companies UK
23 September 2026
An art gallery with gradient colour paintings on white walls and a rectangular, textured sculpture on a white plinth in the centre. The room has purple walls and carpet.

Art & Industry at Blackburn Museum: Art in Manufacturing Commissions on Display

29 September 2026
A gallery corner with a video screen showing sky and clouds, framed art on the wall, and a diorama display of paper clouds in a blue box. The room has ornate moulding and wooden herringbone flooring.

COBinet of Curiosities: Creatives of Blackburn Exhibition Opens

23 July 2026
A snooker table with a green surface is centred in a dimly lit, plain room with cream walls and a dark carpet. Overhead spotlights cast shadows on the walls and ceiling.

Penelope Payne: Canon at Haworth Art Gallery, Accrington

Following its premiere at the National Festival of Making as part of Art in Manufacturing, Canon by Penelope Payne is being exhibited at Haworth Art Gallery from 5th - 9th August.
7 July 2026
An art gallery with ceramic vases on white plinths, black wall plaques with text, and decorative plates arranged on the right wall; detailed moulding decorates the upper walls.

Practise makes Pigeons: Exhibition Opening Time

In case you missed it, Ben Hall’s Practise Makes Pigeons exhibition will remain open at Blackburn Museum & Art Gallery until 29th August. Read on for more information, opening times and visitor information.
7 May 2026
Four schoolchildren in uniforms observe framed artwork and statues in a museum gallery, holding clipboards and discussing the large central painting on the blue wall.

Blackburn with Darwen Place-Based Education: Curriculum Specialist

Blackburn with Darwen’s Place Partnership of local cultural organisations are looking for a curriculum specialist to develop a series of scalable activities supporting place-based learning in the local area, inspired by the rich culture of making - past, present and future. 
14 March 2026

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
A vibrant mural with large colourful flowers, geometric shapes, and bold patterns covers the entire side of a building at a street corner under a partly cloudy sky. An art installation stands in front.

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
Bustling outdoor food stall under a bright yellow tent, with two vendors preparing food as customers in sunglasses and casual attire enjoy the sunny day.

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
Two men in warm clothing admire crafts at a market stall. The vendor, smiling, engages with them.

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
A person with long dark hair sits on a sofa, holding and reading a large magazine titled Art in Manufacturing that covers most of their face. They wear a light blue shirt and black trousers.

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.
29 November 2025
Lewis Jones in a maroon jumper and brown trousers stands among large sculpted blocks in an indoor space, with a screen showing a mechanical image behind him.

Artist Films and Interviews with Matter at hand, Liaqat Rasul and Wash

Watch the latest short films in this series alongside interviews with artists Matter at hand (Lewis Jones) and Liaqat Rasul, as well as with Andy Walmsley, Creative Director of Wash.
27 November 2025
Twelve decorative ceramic plates with hand-painted designs and inspirational quotations are arranged on a flat surface. Each plate features unique patterns and colours, including florals and leafy borders.

Our Festival Team’s Guide to Independent Makers 2025

For us, Lancashire Day is the perfect lead-in to Small Business Saturday, a moment to spotlight and champion small businesses and makers.
10 November 2025
Two people wearing paint-splattered overalls stand in a large, sunlit hall surrounded by printed geometric artwork on the floor, screen printing materials, and various art supplies.

National Festival of Making 2026: Open Call for Festival Workshops

We’re inviting artists, makers, creatives and facilitators to submit workshop proposals for the National Festival of Making weekend on the 4th & 5th July 2026.
5 November 2025
A large crowd gathers inside a grand hall with tall arched windows, ornate ceiling, and a large cardboard art installation at the centre. Sunlight streams in, illuminating the people and the artwork.

National Festival of Making Appoints New Chair and Board Member

National Festival of Making appoints Rosy Greenlees OBE as new Chair and welcomes Rachel Cunningham Clark to the Board. 
23 October 2025
A black-and-white photo shows a woman with a pram outside a shop window displaying the sign Fresh Home-made Chocolates. The photo is placed among vintage letters, a notebook, and embroidered cloths.

Peddie’s by Illuminos at Lightpool Festival, Blackpool and Light Up Lancaster

An Art in Manufacturing commission that was first shown at the 2023 National Festival of Making, Peddie’s by Illuminos + Cardboard Box Company is being presented at two light festivals in Lancashire this season; Lightpool Festival in Blackpool and Light Up Lancaster.
25 September 2025
A tall, curved tower made of colourful stacked cups stands in a grand hall with large arched windows and marble floors. Several blurred people walk around, viewing the display.

Breathing Colour by Margo Selby at the 2025 British Textile Biennial

A co-commission by the National Festival of Making and British Textile Biennial, Breathing Colour by Margo Selby will be on display at the 2025 British Textile Biennial.
22 July 2025
A display of crocheted toys, including a large grey creature with tusks and orange hair, a crocheted giraffe, and various collectable figurines on a shelf. Comic books are partially visible below the toys.

Come As You Really Are – Exhibition Opening Times

Come As You Really Are is a new exhibition by artist Hetain Patel that celebrates the creativity, dedication, and individuality of hobbyists across the UK.
8 July 2025
A man with a beard and glasses stands with his arms crossed, looking at colourful, eclectic textile and mixed-media art pieces hanging on a white wall. The scene is vibrant and creative.

Exhibitions: Extended Opening Times

If you didn’t manage to make it over the weekend, some exhibitions are continuing for an extended period.
10 June 2025
Two young children sit at a table covered with art supplies, focusing intently as they work on craft projects in a bright, busy indoor setting with adults and children in the background.

Festival Workshops: Top Tips!

Check out handy workshop tips to plan your day and make the most of your Festival experience.
25 April 2025
A man wearing a beige dressing gown and white shirt holds a microphone and gestures with his hand whilst speaking or singing on stage. The background is blurry with blue and yellow lighting.

Primary School Nasheed Choir Project Announced in Collaboration with Hussnain Hanif

National Festival of Making is collaborating with internationally recognised Nasheed artist Hussnain Hanif to create a Blackburn-based Nasheed Choir.
12 March 2025
A kitchen setting with clear glasses, a bucket of red knives, white daisies, cutting boards, and assorted kitchen items, bathed in warm blue light.

Kitchen Tables: Workshop Open Call

Artists and makers are invited to lead workshops at the 2025 festival, exploring the many creative possibilities of the kitchen table.
7 March 2025
A person with green nail varnish uses a craft knife to cut a piece of wood-look material on a green cutting mat, holding it steady with their other hand.

Marquetry Workshop with Emily Parkin

Make your own artwork using winding techniques with textile artist and weaver Nowshin Prenon
6 March 2025
Close-up of hands carving intricate patterns into the surface of a ceramic bowl with a wooden tool. The bowl is partially glazed and resting on the person's lap.

Sgraffito Workshop with Ben Hall

Join Ben Hall to explore the Sgraffito ceramic technique and create your own decorative pottery pieces.
5 March 2025
A person holds a small, square, colourful object made of interwoven strips in blue, orange, yellow, and brown, pattern resembling a mosaic or textile art piece.

Winding Workshop with Nowshin Prenon

Make your own artwork using winding techniques with textile artist and weaver Nowshin Prenon
4 April 2025
A group of people gathers around a table where a person demonstrates jewellery making with various tools and materials in a brightly lit studio.

Bottle Bag Workshop with NOTS

Learn how to make a bottle bag from paracord using knotting and macrame techniques with NOTS founder Emilia Jones.
7 February 2025
A group of women sitting and standing around a table, engaged in an art or craft activity with paint and tools. One woman in the centre points at a project, while others work with brushes and materials. Artworks hang on the wall behind them.

Join the National Festival of Making Steering 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?
6 February 2025
A person draws a chalk outline of the Earth on pavement, colouring in continents with green chalk. Other pieces of coloured chalk lie nearby. The person wears sunglasses on their head and large hoop earrings.

UNESCO Toolkit Feature: The People’s Jury

Our work with The People’s Jury, Get it Done, Shared Future and Blackburn with Darwen Council is featured as best practice in the UNESCO Local to Global Toolkit.
4 February 2025
Two men in warm clothing admire crafts at a market stall. The vendor, smiling, engages with them.

Makers Market: Stallholder Opportunities

Applications are now open for the Makers Market at our 2025 festival.
20 January 2025
Hetain Patel in a Spider-Man costume crouches beside a smiling elderly woman in a warm room filled with family photos and colourful decorations.

Come As You Really Are: Get Involved!

National Festival of Making with Blackburn Museum & Art Gallery and Artangel present Come As You Really Are by Hetain Patel.
19 January 2025
A smiling woman wearing glasses and a pink scarf offers food samples on a tray at a market stall. Colourful bunting decorates the tent, and people are gathered around her.

Lancashire Food Traders and Producers: Become Part of the National Festival of Making 2025

Join us to showcase the best food and drink to over 30,000 visitors in Blackburn at the National Festival of Making this July.
12 December 2024
A person with curly hair, glasses, and a black-and-white printed shirt stands smiling with arms raised under a wooden archway on a city street; deckchairs and buildings are visible in the background.

The Welcome Arch has been longlisted for the Riba Journal MacEwan Award!

The longlisted entries for the 2025 MacEwen Award are proof that architectural projects of any shape or form can bring significant benefits to communities.
4 December 2024
A colourful stationery shop with shelves full of books, art supplies, and gifts. Abstract art prints hang above the shelves on the wall. Bright lighting and vibrant displays create a lively, creative atmosphere.

Small Business Day 2024 – Our Indie Picks!

With Small Business Saturday approaching, we celebrate our favourite independent businesses we’ve worked with over the years.
26 November 2024
An older woman wearing a floral headscarf and flower crown smiles whilst holding dough in her hands at a table. The room has red patterned wallpaper, framed photos, and a cosy atmosphere.

Celebrate Lancashire Day 2024

On Wednesday 27 November, Lancastrians all over the world will be celebrating Lancashire Day, a showcase of the culture, lifestyle and achievements of the county.
31 October 2024
A person with brown hair in a bun, wearing a blue shirt, uses a brush to work on large, curved, ribbed ceramic pieces arranged on the floor. The surface below is textured and light coloured.

Art in Manufacturing Open Call: Darwen Terracotta & Faience Residency

The National Festival of Making is releasing a new Art in Manufacturing opportunity for an Artist Residency with Darwen Terracotta & Faience.
10 October 2024
Two children smiling, one wearing a colourful cardboard rocket costume with a green leafy background.

Vote for us in the 2024 UK Festival Awards!

We’re thrilled to announce that the National Festival of Making has been selected as a finalist in four categories in the 2024 UK Festival Awards.
11 July 2024
Street performers dressed in colourful, eccentric costumes dance energetically in front of a large, diverse crowd; two dancers are mid-air with high kicks, while onlookers watch and smile.

2025 Festival Dates Released!

The seventh edition of the National Festival of Making will return to Blackburn, Lancashire on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th of July 2025!
10 July 2024
Four women stand at the end of a long, formal dining table with a red and white table runner, looking closely and discussing something on the table, which is set with plates, glasses, and a floral centrepiece.

Art in Manufacturing: Extended Exhibition Opening Times

If you didn’t manage to make it over the festival weekend, two of our Art in Manufacturing installations are still available to view.
9 July 2024
A woman in a denim jacket stands beside large, colourful abstract art featuring bold horizontal and diagonal stripes in various bright colours. She is smiling and looking at the camera.

Join Margo Selby’s Living Colour Chart

The Living Colour Chart is a legacy project derived from Margo Selby’s 2024 Breathing Colour artwork. This ongoing collection invites people to share personal colour memories and associations, exploring the connections we make with colour from both a sensory and emotional perspective.
24 April 2024
Three people collaborate at a table in a brightly lit workshop, working with paper, pens, and craft materials. Colourful decorations and geometric shapes are visible in the background.

Dual Works Announced for Festival Co-Commission

Designer-Makers Dual Works Announced for Pendle Festival of Culture and National Festival of Making Co-Commission.
26 March 2024
Rows of leafy green vegetables growing in a hydroponic system inside a glasshouse with a green mesh background.

Blackburn Urban Food Futures

Join us for a series of free workshops all about the future of urban food production! We’ve partnered with the University of Salford on a research project to develop future ambitions for urban food production in Blackburn.
21 February 2024
A woven wooden basket with a handle sits on fabric next to a carved wooden spoon and two dried flower stems.

Basket Weaving Workshop with Cherry Chung

Learn how to make a willow bark basket with Cherry Chung in this hands-on basket weaving workshop.
20 February 2024
A close-up of a hand using an electric trimmer to shave and even out the surface of a colourful, textured rug with blue, green, pink, and grey sections.

Tufting Workshop with Alena Ruth Donely

Join Alena from Manchester Tufting and create your own colourful bespoke rug!
18 February 2024
Three men stand together outside a shopfront with “ARTIST” on the window. They are smiling and holding printed artwork. One wears a hat and a striped shirt, the others wear white shirts.

Live Brief 2024: Calling all students and tutors!

National Festival of Making is launching a brand new Live Brief to connect students across the UK in an industry challenge designed to support skills development.
15 February 2024
A street performer stands on a large wheel, covering his face, while a crowd watches outdoors. Two other performers are nearby, and a church is visible in the background.

Opportunity: Bookkeeper and Administrative Role

The National Festival of Making is seeking to appoint a new team member to support the Finance & Operations Manager in bookkeeping and administration.
14 February 2024
A person holds a sign reading DEEDS NOT WORDS at an outdoor event stall decorated with colourful bunting. Another person stands nearby, watching. Tables and art materials are visible in the background.

Opportunity: Creative Alliance Internship

A new opportunity to join the National Festival of Making team through the Creative Alliance Paid Internship Programme.
5 February 2024
Three pastel panels display colourful, hanging floral chandeliers made of paper in shades of red, blue, purple, green, and pink, set against a minimalist background with one solid blue panel on the right.

Pajaki Making Workshop with Karolina Merska

Learn how to make a Pajaki – a traditional Polish chandelier made from rye straw and paper with Karolina from Folka!
19 January 2024
Bundles of blue yarn with colourful threads hanging from the ceiling in an industrial textile factory, surrounded by old wooden beams and machinery.

Art in Manufacturing Open Call for Artist Residency with Standfast & Barracks

The National Festival of Making and British Textile Biennial are releasing a new Art in Manufacturing opportunity for an artist or maker to become Artist in Residence at historic fabric printing company, Standfast & Barracks, during their Centenary year.
18 January 2024
Two people in black hoodies stand inside a wooden greenhouse structure, surrounded by green leafy plants, with sunlight streaming through the glass and plants in the foreground.

Open Call For New Festival Commission

The Festival of Culture and the National Festival of Making are inviting applications to create a celebratory, temporary structure to be installed at and transported between two festivals taking place in Lancashire this July.
5 December 2023
A person carefully paints a tiny blue vase on a potter's wheel, focusing intently as they use a fine brush to add details.

Tell us about your hobby and join the loudest presentation of our quiet pastimes.

Working with Artangel, we want to hear from you about your hobbies; from the arty to the techy, the nerdy to the super niche! Launching next year, the National Festival of Making joins a network of galleries and museums across the UK on a new project to assemble the largest display to date of our favourite pastimes.
27 November 2023
A person with wavy hair lights a candle on a coffee table in a cosy living room decorated with colourful cushions, art, and flowers.

Small Biz Day 2023 – Our Maker Picks!

Celebrate Small Business Saturday with our team’s top picks and explore amazing makers from across the UK.
2 November 2023
A group of people stand on grass, observing three tall abstract sculptures in a park with trees and blue sky in the background.

Days out in the North of England with us…for free!

The National Festival of Making and Blackburn Museum & Art Gallery are inviting people aged 18-30 on a series of trips exploring some of the most exciting exhibitions and event spaces across the North of England.
1 November 2023
A colourful, fabric figure with a blue and white striped arm, a smiling face, and a multicoloured patchwork body holds a curtain against a textured, dark, layered background.

The Art of ‘Manufacturing’ Strong Community Ties in Blackburn

When Afghan evacuees Razma and Palwasha first arrived in Blackburn a little over 12 months ago, they had a simple request – they’d like a sewing machine.
3 October 2023
A large crowd, including children and adults, watch and join a woman in leading a lively outdoor dance on a chalk-decorated pavement. Many people are smiling and taking photos, enjoying the festive atmosphere.

Vote for us in the UK Festival Awards!

The National Festival of Making is a finalist in three UK Festival Awards categories: Best Non-Music Festival, Best Family Festival, and Best Medium-Sized Festival.
19 May 2023
A person holds two large reels of thread in an industrial setting, with their hand and the reels in sharp focus and the background blurred in a textile manufacturing facility.

Art in Manufacturing Season 5 Artists Revealed

Five new creative collaborations revealed, as leading artists are paired with major UK manufacturers to create remarkable new work for the National Festival of Making.
20 March 2023
A woman in a grey jumper speaks to a group of people standing in a white room. Several people listen attentively, some with folded arms, and a child stands at the front. A door labelled Staff Only is in the background.

We’re Hiring! 4 New Opportunities To Join The National Festival Of Making Team

Festival of Making Community Interest Company is expanding its team following a successful period of organisational development and fundraising. As a new Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation, we now have 4 fantastic opportunities to join our small and dynamic team.
9 March 2023
People walk inside a large, historic hall with exposed stone walls, arched windows, and a teal arched ceiling. A modern, white geometric structure stands at the centre of the space.

Open Call for Artist Residencies with Cardboard Box Company and SWS UK

New Art in Manufacturing opportunities for artists or makers to become Artist in Residence at one of two partner manufacturers: Cardboard Box Company and SWS UK.
1 March 2023
A man in a chequered shirt polishes a wooden bowl with a cloth in a workshop. Several finished wooden bowls and a bottle of oil are on the workbench, with wooden planks and shelves in the background.

National Festival of Making + Studio Critical: Spoon Carving Workshop

National Festival of Making and designer and maker Nick Vorstermans from Studio Critical: invite you to take part in a Spoon Carving workshop using locally sourced, sustainable green wood salvaged from urban trees that fell naturally or were trimmed.
20 February 2023
Three boys stand indoors in front of a brick wall, each smiling and holding a large poster featuring colourful geometric shapes, including circles, triangles, and squares.

Open Call Opportunities for the National Festival of Making 2023

Artists, makers and creatives are invited to apply for newly released opportunities at The National Festival of Making.
10 February 2023
A man wearing a blue jacket paints on a canvas in a bright, cluttered art studio with shelves, supplies, and artwork visible around him.

National Festival of Making + byUMBERTO: Sign Writing Workshop

Join Robert Walker (byUMBERTO) for a sign-writing workshop at Blackburn Museum & Art Gallery, part of The National Festival of Making.
26 January 2023
A woman in a pink apron smiles whilst painting a ceramic mug in a pottery studio with shelves of supplies and jars in the background.

National Festival of Making + Hollie Cooper Pottery Workshop

Join artist Hollie Cooper in a two-part pottery workshop. Working with clay, you will learn the hand-building process of ‘drape-forming’ to create your very own bespoke ceramic plate.
4 November 2022
A family sits round a table in a large, sunlit room with stained glass windows, smiling and working together on colourful arts and crafts projects. Supplies and decorations cover the table.

Festival of Making CIC joins Arts Council England as a National Portfolio Organisation

Festival of Making Community Interest Company joins Arts Council England as a National Portfolio Organisation.
22 September 2022
A person wearing a blue shirt and apron works on a sculptural piece at a table, with colourful abstract shapes displayed on a dark stone fireplace in the background. Art supplies are scattered on the table.

Assembly: Contemporary Sculpture Workshop with Maisie Pritchard

Learn the process of ‘paper pulping’ to create bold, contemporary sculpture as part of a collaborative project with artist Maisie Pritchard.
3 August 2022
A man with light brown hair gestures whilst speaking on a panel with two other people. Colourful geometric shapes and a screen are in the background.

Chair of the Board of Directors: Jamie Holman

We are delighted to announce the appointment of our new Chair of the Board of Directors, artist and educator, Jamie Holman.
24 January 2022
Two young children with light brown hair, one in a red shirt and one in a white shirt, smiling and playing with a large, messy sculpture made of clay or similar material. The scene is bright and cheerful.

2022 Festival Dates Released!

The fourth edition of the National Festival of Making weekend will return to Blackburn, Lancashire, on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th of June 2022!
13 October 2021
A hand holds four ceramic pieces shaped like coils, decorated with colourful spots. The background features orange, pink, blue, and white sections.

Adorning with Clay: Ceramic Jewellery Workshop Series

The National Festival of Making and artist Aliyah Hussain will deliver a series of contemporary ceramics workshops over an 8 week period in Blackburn town centre.
8 March 2021
Two people in white coats and black trousers leap into the air with arms raised, performing dynamic jumps outside on a sunny day, with a large building featuring a spire in the background.

Four New Board Members Revealed On International Women’s Day

Celebrate International Women’s Day with the announcement of four new board members joining our leadership team.
14 September 2020
People wearing masks sort items into cardboard boxes on tables in a large hall with high ceilings, arched windows, and balcony seating. The scene suggests a community or volunteer event.

Creative Activity Boxes for Pennine Lancashire Children

Thanks to National Lottery Players and with funding from Arts Council England, we’ve designed, commissioned, sourced, packed and distributed 600 boxes jam-packed with art materials, stationery, and creative activities.
15 July 2019
A woman and an older man sit at a table covered with colourful yarn and knitted fabric samples, discussing their work in a yarn-filled workshop with shelves and a ladder in the background.

Disrupting the everyday – reflections on Art in Manufacturing

Communications volunteer Ellie Nicholls shares insights and reflections on our headline commissioning programme, Art in Manufacturing.
16 May 2019
Three vintage metal measuring cups are displayed on a white surface. The left and right cups are cone-shaped, with colourful labels, and the centre object is a rectangular tin labelled “Curry Measure.”.

INDUSTRIALISED: Art in Manufacturing in the Gallery

Discover INDUSTRIALISED, where international artists explore humanity, brutality, and ingenuity within factory production and modern manufacturing.