Lightpool Creative Conference

Welcome to Lightpool Festival 2025We’re so excited to have you join us for the 2025 edition of Lightpool Festival. Over the next 18 nights, you’ll get to see our town’s most iconic landmarks sparkling with an amazing display of light installations, created by talented artists from all around the world.This year’s festival has something for everyone! Enjoy 18 nights of excitement filled with stunning light art, captivating live performances, fun activities for the whole family, and incredible 3D projection shows. With an extraordinary collection of national and international light installations, and the debut of over 12 brand new artworks, this year’s event promises to be the most visually stunning Lightpool Festival yet!Get ready to be enchanted as Carnival Magic returns to the Tower Ballroom, bringing a lively display of illuminated Carnival characters and enchanting music. Experience a thrilling mix of music, puppetry, fire and dance that will ignite your imagination as the amazing Global Grooves International Carnival performers light up the world-famous Tower Ballroom dance floor.

Lightpool

Join us at the conference where we will explore new ideas, generate collaborations, and challenge ourselves to think differently.

Imperial Hotel

Get ready to be inspired! You have the chance to connect with experienced light-creation professionals and take part in a dynamic program full of symposia, presentations, learning opportunities, and meetings with the organising teams of light festivals and Arts Council England. This is your chance to discuss current topics and open yourself up to fresh approaches and new sources of inspiration.To help you and your organisation achieve success with a more audience-focused approach, our keynote speakers will dive into the topics that matter most to you right now. They will share tips and insights, as well as offer their expertise on a range of topics, including• establishing a light festival,• working with local communities,• effective digital engagement,• creating opportunities to sell your ideas and artwork to festival producers.• Laura Daly – The Storm Cone, a case study• representation in the art world• ACE funding for Artists and OrganisationsWe have handpicked an amazing lineup of speakers who will guide you towards unlocking new insights to take your work and organisation to the next level. So, mark your calendars and get ready for an amazing event that will leave you energized and motivated!1: WelcomePhil Holmes – Artistic Director Lightpool,Phill Hargreaves - Co-chair Light Up The North,Deborah Best - Relationship Manager, Combined Arts, Arts Council England2: So you want to run a Light FestivalPanel Event with Q&amp;AArtist opportunities in the light sector &amp; LUTNHosted by Abbe Robinson – Co-chair Light Up The NorthPanel:Rachel Wood - Creative Programmes and Event Manager, Oldham CouncilGemma Saunders and Jude Jagger – Things That Go On ThingsJulie Brown – Creative Producer, Light Up LancasterKate Doyle – Head of Programme, Lightwaves SalfordGet ready to ignite your creativity and spark your passion for light festivals! Join us for an exciting session where you'll discover the magic behind 4 of the bright light festivals in the Light Up the North Network - Light Up Lancaster, Lightwaves, Illuminate Oldham, and Light Night Wigan &amp; Leigh.You'll hear from the creative producers who have delivered outstanding achievements over the years, and they'll be sharing their invaluable experiences on how to get started and create a spectacular light festival. As an artist, you'll also learn how to get your artwork programmed into these amazing festivals. Get inspired and let's bring more light and wonder to our world!3: The Light ExperienceArtist talk with Q&amp;ABy attending this session, you will have the opportunity to gain insights from leading experts, and new artists, in the field of light art; both internationally and here in the UK.Light festivals have the power to transform ordinary spaces into extraordinary environments, evoke powerful emotions, and bring communities together in magical ways. During this panel session, you will discover how artists utilise light to create stunning displays that leave a lasting impact at large-scale events, provide a calming atmosphere for relaxation, or an intimate experience for audiences.We will also discuss the crossover between the more performative side of outdoor arts and the light night sector, as creative exchanges become more commonplace.Whether you are an aspiring artist or simply intrigued by the impact of light, this session is bound to be an enriching experience for all. Join us now and immerse yourself in the transformative and magical world of light art.Hosted by George Harris – Producer, Light Up LancasterPanel:Ander Ugartemendia and Jone Vizcaino, Hotaru Visual GuerillaStephen Newby, Studio VertigoAxolotlAngus MacKechnie, Director, Outdoor Arts UK4: The Grundy at LightpoolArtist Talk with Q&amp;AChaired by Paulette Brien - Curator, Grundy Art GalleryPanel:Laura Daly - artist, The Storm ConeShezad Dawood - artist, Island PatternLindsay Taylor - Curator, University of Salford Art Collection5: Light Up EquityChaired by Shanaz Gulzar - Creative Director of Bradford 2025Light up Equity is a series of provocation’s, conversations and discussions around diversifying the light art sector. How do we connect with new artists from the global majority? What are doing to support artists with disabilities? And how do we continue to diversify the light art sector so its reflective of the communities we seek to reach.Akeelah BertramAjay Chhabra – Cofounder, Nutkhut6: Arts Council Funding for Artists and OrganizationsWithDavid Gaffney – Senior Relationship Manager, ACEKaren Cody – Relationships Manager, ACE7: <a href="" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Pitch Your Idea in 15mins</a>PanelAbbe Robinson – Principal Arts Project Officer, Light Night LeedsRachel Candler – Producer, LightwavesPhill Hargreaves – Cultural Programmes and Event Manager, Bradford CouncilCarolyn Primett – Head of Arts, Blackpool CouncilRichard Williams – Manager, Blackpool IlluminationsGeorge Harris – Producer, Light Up LancasterRachel Willis – Director, Stella CreatesLynsey Stephenson – Director, Stella CreatesRachel Wood – Creative Programmes and Event Manager, Oldham CouncilNeil Harris - Business Manager Culture, Arts &amp; Heritage · Wigan CouncilLet's get creative! Light Up The North and its members are thrilled to invite passionate artists and organisations to submit their proposals for exciting new commissions. This is an extraordinary chance for artists to shine a light on their remarkable work and showcase their skills at the biggest light festivals in the North!We are on the lookout for new, original and unique pieces of light art that will captivate the public and bring light art to an even wider audience.8: In Conversation with Chila Kumari Singh Burman MBEHosted by Paulette Brien - Curator, Grundy Art GalleryAward-winning artist, Chila Kumari Singh Burman will be in conversation with Grundy Art Gallery Curator, Paulette Brien. Together they will unpack some of the key concerns at the heart of the artist’s work and discuss how her work have evolved over the four decades of her practice.In conversation followed by Q&amp;A9: Light Entertainment: Different Community PerspectivesHosted by Melanie Whitehead, TESP Artistic Director, Lead for the Old ElectricPanel:Tina Redford – Artistic Director, LeftCoastLeon Patel – CEO or Holly Prest – Artistic Director, Global GroovesSabir Musaji – Community Development Manager, The Leap10: 1on1 : Arts Council Funding for Artists and Organisations :Discussion 1 on 1WithDeborah Best - Relationship Manager, Combined ArtsAngela Chappel - Relationship Manager, Combined Arts11: Thats a Wrap!We Are BlackpoolPhil Holmes - Artistic Director, Lightpool

Agenda

10am - 10:15am

The intro presentation will identify what is to come over the period of the conference identifying key themes that are of common interest and benefit to conference attendees

	Welcome: Why light – what makes it so popular with audiences.  

So you want to run a ligh

Artist opportunities in the light sector & LUTN 
Hosted by Abbe Robinson – Co-chair Light Up The North 
Panel:
Rachel Wood - Creative Programmes and Event Manager, Oldham Council
Gemma Saunders and Jude Jagger – Things That Go On Things
Julie Brown – Creative Producer, Light Up Lancaster
Kate Doyle – Lightwaves
Get ready to ignite your creativity and spark your passion for light festivals! Join us for an exciting session where you'll discover the magic behind 4 of the bright light festivals in the Light Up the North Network - Light Up Lancaster, Lightwaves, Illuminate Oldham, and Light Night Wigan & Leigh. 
You'll hear from the creative producers who have delivered outstanding achievements over the years, and they'll be sharing their invaluable experiences on how to get started and create a spectacular light festival. As an artist, you'll also learn how to get your artwork programmed into these amazing festivals. Get inspired and let's bring more light and wonder to our world!

So you want to run a Light Festival

The Light Experience

Panel: 
Ander Ugartemendia and Jone Vizcaino, Hotaru Visual Guerilla
Stephen Newby, Studio Vertigo
Axolotl
Angus MacKechnie, Director, Outdoor Arts UK


ACE Funding

 Arts Council Funding for Artists and Organizations

The Grundy

Panel: 
•	Laura Daly - artist, The Storm Cone
•	Shezad Dawood - artist, Island Pattern
•	Lindsay Taylor - Curator, University of Salford Art Collection

An opportunity to find out more about the work of the artists, the process of bringing their works to life, an insight into their career journeys and how their work aligns with Grundy Art Gallery’s curatorial programming. A chaired conversation followed by Q&A.

The Grundy At Lightpool

Light Up Equity

Light up Equity is a series of provocation’s, conversations and discussions around diversifying the light art sector. How do we connect with new artists from the global majority? What are doing to support artists with disabilities? And how do we continue to diversify the light art sector so its reflective of the communities we seek to reach.

Light Entertainment

Panel:
	Tina Redford – Artistic Director, LeftCoast
	Leon Patel – CEO or Holly Prest – Artistic Director, Global Grooves
	Sabir Musaji – Community Development Manager, The Leap

Light Festivals are shining a light on innovative ways to transform communities and attract tourism. By using light as a medium, these festivals ignite creativity, encourage active participation, and bring people together. You can play a crucial role in tapping into the power of community engagement and art. 
Our speakers will inspire you to create a programme of work that fosters positivity and delivers tangible benefits to your local community. Together, we can illuminate the power of community-driven art projects and create a brighter future for all.


Light Entertainment: Different Community Perspectives

ACE 1on1

The one-to-one National Lottery Project Grant (NLPG) development conversations are for those who are planning to make an Arts Council England application for up to £30,000, and are first time applicants.
The Development conversation will be with a Relationship Manager and will be no more than 20 minutes, for a maximum of 2 people at each conversation.
The development conversation will be allocated on a first come first served basis.  
To request a NLPG development conversation we would like you to make your request and provide basic details of your project no later than 5pm 13 October  
To get the most from the time allocated for a development conversation we recommend you include the basic information in the form that will be sent after you have made the booking.  
The information you send will be made available to the Relationship Manager you will have the development conversation with, in advance of the 21st October.
Before attending the one-to-one meeting please read the NLPG Makin

One to One National Lottery Project Grant (NLPG)  Development 

Chila

Award-winning artist, Chila Kumari Singh Burman will be in conversation with Grundy Art Gallery Curator, Paulette Brien. Together they will unpack some of the key concerns at the heart of the artist’s work and discuss how her work have evolved over the four decades of her practice. 

In conversation followed by   Q&A

Dr Chila Kumari Singh Burman (Punjabi: ਚਿਲਾ ਕੁਮਾਰੀ ਬਰਮਨ) is a British artist, celebrated for her radical feminist practice which examines representation, gender and cultural identity. She works across a wide range of mediums including printmaking, drawing, painting, installation and film.
A significant figure in the Black British Art movement of the 1980s, Burman remains one of the first British Asian female artists to have a monograph written about her work; Lynda Nead's Chila Kumari Burman: Beyond Two Cultures (1995).
In 2018, she received an honorary doctorate from University of the Arts London for her impact and recognised legacy as an international artist. 

In Conversation with Chila Kumari Burman

Pitch Your Idea

Let's get creative! Light Up The North and its members are thrilled to invite passionate artists and organisations to submit their proposals for exciting new commissions. This is an extraordinary chance for artists to shine a light on their remarkable work and showcase their skills at the biggest light festivals in the North! 
We are on the lookout for new, original and unique pieces of light art that will captivate the public and bring light art to an even wider audience. 
We anticipate high demand for this session, so places must be reserved when making your conference booking. Sessions are restricted to a maximum of 10minutes to pitch, 5 minutes Q&A, and 2 representatives from your organisation. A briefing document will be forwarded following your booking.


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Lightpool Creative Conference

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Lightpool Creative Conference

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