Lancashire needs creatives: Why our libraries are on the lookout for authors, artists and musicians
A chance for creative people to lead fascinating workshops about their craft in Lancashire is in the pipeline.
Lancashire Libraries are on a mission to find artists, authors, musicians and other creative individuals to run workshops for and within their local communities.
It's aimed at encouraging library membership and reading for pleasure, particularly among boys aged between 10 and 16, early years, disadvantaged families and children, teens, adults and older people who don't normally visit libraries.
Aimed at promoting the National Year of Reading which runs until the end of this calendar year, the National Year of Reading in Lancashire will involve creative individuals being commissioned by the council to run workshops for up to 20 people at a time, across libraries including Rishton, Skelmersdale, Savick, Ingol, Ribbleton, Morecambe and Fleetwood.
There will be up to eight workshops, each running for up to 20 people, and they could feature drop-in activities or bookable experiences, connecting artists and creative individuals with their communities.
Burnley Library users taking part in Top To Toe weekly exercise sessions, aimed at all ages and abilities, to improve cardiovascular and muscular strength.
The scheme could see people engage with others in a creative activity such as a story, an artwork, a collective musical performance, or other shared experience such as choirs, local community music groups or a youth music workshop and other events.
The National Year of Reading is aimed at increasing reading for pleasure through people's passions and interests and encouraging library membership and volunteering.
It's hoped it will also increase civic pride by encouraging people to participate in community activities, foster local identity and heritage and share their commitment to improving their local community and culture.
The call out is open to both emerging and established creators, and anyone interested is asked to email a proposal in 1-2 pages to culturaldevelopment@lancashire.gov.uk by the deadline of 15 February.
Sophie Denton, library assistant at Burnley Library.
Their proposal should include a brief outline of the workshop idea, a breakdown of their budget, including artist fees, materials and travel expenses per day (scalable), target audience (e.g. early years / family groups /adults), details of any previous experience delivering workshops, and links to any websites, social media or portfolios of their work.
County Councillor Matthew Salter, cabinet member for Education and Skills, said:
"We want to hear from artists, authors, storytellers and creatives of all kinds with an outline of what they could deliver as part of the National Year of Reading 2026 programme. We are looking for imaginative and distinctive ideas that inspire and engage audiences of all ages, enhance civic pride, and foster the love of reading.
"We want to see workshops that range from hands on activities giving participants a chance to make something themselves to collaborative opportunities where people can engage with others in a creative activity such as a story, an artwork or shared experience.
"We hope these free, participatory events will offer communities the opportunity to take part in high-quality creative experiences and bring people into libraries to access their services and take the opportunity to read for pleasure.
"The sessions will enable communities to connect with local artists and creatives to discover their practice, storytelling, or contemporary takes on heritage skills and craft, and give the chance to inspire local communities around Lancashire."
For further information, or discuss alternative ways to submit an application, please email culturaldevelopment@lancashire.gov.uk.