Light Up The North (LUTN), a network of 16 light festivals across the North of England, is proud to announce it has been awarded £96,600 through the Arts Council’s National Lottery Project Grants programme.
This investment will enable the network to continue its vital work in developing the light art sector, commissioning emerging light artists, and co-commissioning ambitious new light art installations through to 2028.
Light festivals bring together people, celebrate our places, and a shared sense of pride, opening up cultural experiences in ways that are inclusive and inviting. By turning everyday public spaces into free, open-air galleries, they make high-quality art accessible to all. Communities don’t just visit the art—they help shape it. Artists and festival producers regularly collaborate closely with residents, schools, youth groups, and community organisations to co-create works that are authentic and rooted in their communities. Light festival audiences often return year after year, cementing these events as anticipated highlights in the local calendar.
Building on Success
The funding follows a period of success for the network. Between 2023 and 2025, LUTN-affiliated festivals achieved:
- 1.7M+ Audience Members: Reaching over 11% of the Northern population.
- £17.5M Economic Impact: Driving significant revenue into local economies.
- 386 Artworks Showcased: Featuring 318 UK-based and 68 international artists.
- 7,218 Volunteer Hours: Fuelled by passionate local communities.
Julie Brown, Chair of Light Up The North and Artistic Director of Light Up Lancaster, said:
“This funding marks an important step forward for the network and the development of the wider light art sector, as we continue working towards the recognition of light art as its own distinct artform. It enables us to deepen partnerships, realise more ambitious works, and support new and diverse talent through our programmes—SHINE, SPARK, and ILLUMINE. The impact is already evident, with many of these artists progressing their careers as light artists, and touring their work across the UK and internationally.”
The vision for 2026–2028
- Strategic partnerships and expanding the LUTN network
- International and UK research visits to support knowledge exchange, inspiration and collaboration with light artists and other light festivals across Europe and internationally
- Sector events and a light art conference, bringing UK and international artists, festivals and creatives together to foster new relationships
- Talent development programmes, including: SHINE (emerging light artists) and SPARK (early-stage creatives, with a strong focus on diversity and inclusion)
- Targeted opportunities for underrepresented artists, including Global Majority and Disabled artists through the SHINE, SPARK and ILLUMINE programmes
- New co-commissioning and touring models, enabling ambitious light artworks to be developed and presented across the UK and internationally
These priorities will provide transformative opportunities for artists, strengthen collaboration across the sector, and ensure audiences continue to experience bold, inclusive, and innovative light art, in their own cities and towns.
Jen Cleary, Director, Combined Arts and North, Arts Council England said:
“Light festivals are an exciting, accessible and dynamic part of the creative ecology, providing opportunities for artistic innovation whilst enabling communities to access joyful cultural experiences on their doorsteps in a family-friendly environment. The impact of the Light Up The North network on artists’ development and the local economies is clear and I’m really pleased that we have awarded £96,600 from our National Lottery Project Grants programme so that the network can continue its vital work into 2028.”
Find out more by visiting www.lightupthenorth.com
Categories: 2026 | Arts & Culture | Festivals & Events
