2025 Festival Dates: 5 & 6 July

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

1st November 2023

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 events spaces across the North of England.

These trips are free of charge and available to anyone who lives/studies or has a connection to Blackburn with Darwen and neighbouring towns. Travel and any associated entry included

The National Festival of Making and Blackburn Museum & Art Gallery are looking to support the development of a new collective group for people aged 18-30 in early 2024. We want to hear your ideas and interests and how we can best support young people in the area. The first part of this work is getting to know people in the area and finding out what is wanted and needed.

You can join these trips with no commitment to working with the group in 2024, attend one or come to all – the choice is yours! 

Whether you’re an artist, student, musician, writer, baker, gamer, designer, footballer, maker, or anything else in between, this is an excellent chance to discover new exhibitions, meet new people, and learn about upcoming opportunities in your area. 

To get involved and learn more, simply email emma@decopublique.co.uk

 


UPCOMING TRIPS:

 


 

The Welcome – Factory International, Manchester, Saturday 18th November  

A free programme of workshops, music, film screenings, exhibitions and more taking place in Factory International’s brand new Aviva Studios. The day will feature the Street Culture Takeover, celebrating the different cultures that make up Manchester – from hip hop to the latest in dance and fashion. The end of the day will include a celebration in the Warehouse featuring performances, BMX and skate demos and more.

Register Deadline: Sunday 12th November

FACT Gallery & Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool, Sunday 26th November 

Explore new technology, digital culture, art and film at FACT Liverpool and Walker Art Gallery. We will visit John Moore’s Painting Prize, the UK’s most well-known painting competition and a new major photographic exhibition from Tom Wood, displaying 50 years of the artist’s work.  On this trip, we will also experience three exhibitions at FACT showcasing digital artworks and immersive environments. From a dancefloor inside the belly of a rat to an energy drink-lined trophy room, these exhibitions will transport us to new worlds and challenge our perceptions of reality.

Register Deadline: Sunday 19th November

Image Credit: Jenkin van Zyl, Surrender (2023). Installation view at FACT Liverpool. Photography by Rob Battersby. Courtesy of the artist and Edel Assanti.

 

Yorkshire Sculpture Park, West Bretton, Saturday 2nd December 

This trip is the perfect way to immerse yourself in nature and art. Explore 500 acres of countryside while experiencing modern and contemporary sculpture. As well as exploring the permanent collection of work at YSP, we will visit Light Organ by Akeelah Bertram, Adam Glatherine and Simon Fletcher, an interactive artwork that brings sound to life with mesmerising colours and patterns of light. Touch Wood by Jonathan Baldock, a sensory feast of colour, texture, sound and scent and Trap of the Truth by Erwin Wurm; humorous and quirky works that will for sure a smile on your face!

Register Deadline: Sunday 26th November

Image Credit: Light Organ, installation at Leeds Art Gallery, 2022. Photography by Jules Lister

 


 

 

 

Funders

Sponsors

2019 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.

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