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? 

The National Festival of Making Focus Group was set up in 2025 and now we are inviting new enthusiastic individuals to join the existing group.

What is the Focus Group?

The Focus Group will work with us over a period of time to help shape the Festival’s vision, to make sure it remains exciting, inclusive, and relevant to our local community. By taking part in the group you will have the opportunity to:

• Hear about upcoming plans
• Attend free, organised trips to events and venues
• Share feedback on how you experience our programme
• Tell us what you want to see in the future
• Brainstorm new ideas!

Who are we looking for?

We welcome people of all backgrounds to get involved, especially those who are:

• Passionate about creativity and making
• Connected to the local community
• Interested in contributing time, energy, and expertise to the Festival’s development

Whether you’re a festival volunteer, artist, a local resident or simply someone with a keen interest in making, we’d love to hear from you. Everyone is welcome, and no experience is needed. All we ask is that you are over the age of 18.

This is an open group, and you can join at any point.

What can you expect as a member?

• Between four and six sessions a year with the Focus group and the Festival Team
• Opportunities to contribute to the Festival’s development – whether through feedback on content, personal experience or programming inspiration.
• Opportunities to go on organised and paid for trips to other places and visit museums, festivals or events to gain inspiration
• A chance to meet new people and make connections
• A unique experience of being part of a nationally recognised festival

Want to join our next session?

Our next session will take place in Blackburn Town Centre, at 6:00 – 7:30pm on Tuesday 21st April. We will be brainstorming how to create a simple, shared way for the group to reflect on and respond to the National Festival of Making 2026, as well as discussing our upcoming trip to We Invented the Weekend at Media City and Salford Quays.

If you’re interested in joining or would simply like to have a chat about what being part of the Focus Group involves, please email sophie@festivalofmaking.co.uk

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out. We are committed to making this opportunity accessible and would be happy to discuss any adjustments or support you may need to ensure your full participation and contribution.

About the Festival of Making CIC

Festival of Making CIC is a not-for-profit arts and culture organisation based in Blackburn, Lancashire. We connect people, place, art and industry through playful and inquisitive artistic commissions and collaborative projects culminating in a large-scale annual public event. Our work spans projects in education settings, pairing artists with manufacturers through our headline commissioning programme and creating opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to engage in making.

At the heart of our approach is the belief that making is for everyone. Whether through hands?on workshops, long?term artist residencies, partnerships with schools and colleges, or ambitious public commissions, we champion bold, accessible and caring ways of working that are rooted in collaboration.

Learn more about our work here.