Nesta in partnership with the Lightpool Festival and the Light Up the North network (LUTN) of leading northern light festivals joined for the ‘Light and the Creative Economy’ conference in Blackpool on Thursday 18 October 2018 at the Winter Gardens.

The event brought together funders, cultural businesses, artists and producers to explore and debate the creative economy, alternative forms of finance in the sector and the social and environmental sustainability of our cities. Using light festivals as case studies for the creative economy, we shared expert insight as to their impact on audiences, local economy and cultural infrastructure development.

During the day, participants developed an understanding of the possibilities for financing cultural activities beyond grant funding, learnt how repayable finance can be used to drive forward creative and cultural ventures, created ideas for new projects and collaborations, and how they might be funded. Attendees developed a broader perspective on the creative economy and the role of light and light art in promoting the urban creative sector.

The organisations that helped to spark discussion and debate on the day included: Arts Council England, Arts Impact Fund, Light up the North and Directors from two of Europe’s leading Light Festivals.

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