October/November 2024: News and Updates

Would you like to find out how theatre is produced?

Join us on November 30th for a free workshop with Chalk Line Theatre.

Learn how productions come to life
Understand marketing and fundraising
Discover how to get your work staged

Limited spots available for age 18+.

Reserve your spot now:

https://www.culturetrust.com/whats-on/self-producing-masterclass

#TheatreProduction #FreeWorkshop #LutonCreatives #ChalkLineTheatre

Bute Street Film Night

On 31st October, Bute Street Festival, one of our factory associates, will be hosting an evening screening of two inspiring short films at The Hat Factory:

An Ode to Procrastination, a quirky insight into the thought process of a young artist. Directed by Aleksandra Kingo and starring Sarah Sayuri Hare.
Dear Diary, a heartfelt experimental film written and directed by Clémentine Decremps with Ruby Wilson.

Alongside viewing, there will be opportunities for in-depth vibrant discussion surrounding the films’ themes and inspirations.

Book your tickets for this unique experience here and to find out more about Bute Street Festival, click here.

August 2024: News and Updates

Knife Angel is on display at St. George’s Square in Luton

Knife Angel Legacy Fund - meet the funder event - 6 August

Join Rae Rahman and John Omotosho from BLCF and representatives from Luton Council's Social Justice Unit, The Culture Trust, and Bedfordshire Community Voluntary Service for an in-person Meet the Funder session to learn more about the Knife Angel Legacy Team on Tuesday, 6 August between 12:00 noon and 3pm.

Inspired by the visit of the Knife Angel in August 2024, the Knife Angel Legacy fund invites communities to apply for funding to host projects about knife crime, antisocial behaviour and youth-based crime within Luton. The fund aims to bring artists and creative organisations together with schools and community groups to collaborate.

Grants of up to £3,600 are available to support community and voluntary activity across Luton. Please visit the Bedfordshire and Luton Community Foundation website at www.blcf.org.uk to read the full criteria.

The Knife Angel Legacy Fund is administered by the Bedfordshire & Luton Community Foundation (BLCF), on behalf of Luton Rising, Arts Council England and The Steel Charitable Trust.

More information and to sign up - follow this link: https://hatdistrict.co.uk/blcf-knife-angel-aug-2024

July 2024: News and Updates

Priya Ramkissoon – First Luton Matters International Commission!

The Culture Trust is excited to announce Priya Ramkinssoon as the first of two artists commissions as part of the Luton Matters Programme.

Priya will be creating work specifically focusing on Black Culture through the lens of Global Fashion. She will be working alongside a local community champion and communities from across Luton to develop and shape the work before presenting the final output in late 2024. The open call will come out in the next few weeks for the community champion.

Speaking about the commission, Sam Turton, Luton Matters Programme producer said ‘We are delighted to welcome Priya to Luton to work with communities across the town. The work she has presented to us as a team is incredibly exciting and should make a real impact in the coming months.’

The commission is the first of two international commissions on the theme of Global Fashion, funded by the Steel Charitable Trust and delivered by the Culture Trust as part of the wider Luton Matters Programme.

Click here for the full announcement

Announcing Luton Matters Art Commissions programme

Across the last few months the team behind the Luton Matters programme have been working hard preparing the 2024 programme of commissions and associates.

We are excited to bring you an update on our progress and future opportunities that will be created in order to support the programme of work.

Over the next week, we will be unveiling our first large international commission and the artist who will be bringing this work to Luton. This artist will work specifically in the build up to Black History Month 2024 in order to deliver work in collaboration with communities across Luton.

Alongside this, we will be announcing two new Factory Associates. The associates will create a programme of work in response to the commission and deliver a series of community centred events in collaboration with the Culture Trust.

Finally, we will be looking to recruit a new local community engagement practitioner to work along side the international commission. This is a new role which will allow the local practitioner to support a large scale international art work whilst learning form the work of the artist.

We are grateful to our funders, the Steel Charitable Trust for supporting this work and we look forward to sharing this news with you in the coming days.

Bute Street Festival 2024

The moment Bute Street festival fans have been eagerly awaiting is here! Save the dates for Thursday, August 1st, to Saturday, August 3rd. As your BIFA Qualifying festival, our submissions hit an all-time high, promising a jam-packed program for an unforgettable experience! Get ready for an incredible festival weekend!

Find out more here: www.butestreetfilmfestival.com/programme

Start Date: Thursday 1st - Saturday 3rd August
Location: Hat Factory, Luton

Book your tickets: www.culturetrust.com/whats-on/bute-street-festival-0 or call the Box Office at 01582 878100

Creative Networking brings creatives, businesses and industry experts together, every 2nd Wednesday of the month, starting 10 July. Combining industry insights, guest speakers, free-flowing networking and knowledge exchange, this is a must-see for all creative practitioners in Luton and beyond.

What to expect?

Every session will focus on a specific theme – from showcases, discussion of current issues to talks by industry experts and a lot of time to get to know like-minded individuals. We will be launching the Creative Industry Network and presenting upcoming commissions and creative opportunities.

July event is free for all but you must book a ticket here: https://www.culturetrust.com/whats-on/creative-networking

Starting from August for the rest of the year, entry will be free to all Hat Works members sign up here (it’s free!): https://hatdistrict.co.uk/membership-application

May 2024: News and updates

How exciting it is to be hosting the BFI Lab at the Hat Factory!

🎬 Today, Luton’s emerging directors are immersing themselves in hands-on training with the brilliant David Anderson. It's inspiring to see such raw talent and dedication shaping the future of filmmaking.

Find out more about BFI’s work here: LINK

#BFILab #HatFactory #FilmDirecting #CreativeExcellence

OPEN CALL for Bute Street Festival 2024 Annual Art Exhibition

Theme: 'The Labour of Care’

Submission Deadline: FRIDAY 3rd MAY 2024

Find out more here
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About the Theme:

In the hustle and bustle of modern life, amidst the clamour for productivity and progress, the profound significance of care can often be overshadowed. Through a diverse array of mediums, this exhibition aims to shine a spotlight on the often unseen and undervalued labour of care that sustains our communities, nurtures our relationships, and shapes our collective humanity. The exhibition will invite viewers to pause and reflect on the multifaceted nature of care, acknowledging it as both an individual responsibility and a collective endeavour.

Submissions should be sent to art@butestreetfilmfestival.com

#Roadtobutestreet #festival #art #exhibition #artistcallout