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.

Key Details:

Festival Dates: 4th and 5th July 2026 – you must be available for both dates
Festival Times: 11 am – 5 pm
Open to: Artists/Makers/Creatives/Collectives/Musicians/STEAM Leaders/Facilitators
Budget: Varied, dependent on day-rate and material costs – we ask you to supply an estimated budget as part of your proposal
Deadline for applications: 9 am on Monday 8th December 2025.

The National Festival of Making is a unique celebration of making, from the kitchen table to the factory floor. Presenting a programme of work that combines Art, Manufacturing, Making and Communities, we commission local and national artists to create world-class works, a year-round programme and a participatory FREE FAMILY festival for all to enjoy.

The National Festival of Making weekend will return to Lancashire on 4th & 5th July 2026, filling the streets of Blackburn with free participatory making opportunities, workshops, performances, talks, exhibitions, markets and more.

We work closely with some of the most skilled, exciting and contemporary artists and makers locally and nationally through our festival workshop programme. Often, artists adapt their practice to suit the drop-in family-festival, or we offer opportunities for participants to take part in longer, slower workshop experiences. Every step of the way, we consider how both the artist and participant can have the best experience.

We would like to hear from artists/makers/creatives of all kinds with an outline of what they would like to deliver as part of the 2026 festival workshop programme. 

We are looking for imaginative and distinctive ideas that inspire and engage our multi-generational audiences, from early years through to adults. 

Read the full open call linked below for more guidance: https://festivalofmaking.co.uk/news/national-festival-of-making-2026-open-call-for-festival-workshops/