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You may have noticed something illuminating in Keighley today. A quote has appeared on the front of Keighley Library that is taken from a document from the original Mechanics Institute that was on North Street.

The idea of the Mechanics Institute was to educate Keighley folk, to let their brilliant talents shine forth, and bring positive change to town by increasing opportunities. An amazing and inspiring message.

The artwork has been designed by local artist Letty McHugh as part of the BDisLiT festival and Keighley’s winter celebrations.

The library was chosen as the location for this non-permanent art installation as it is a place for learning and because of its links to the Mechanics Institute.

We think it’s brill!

Thank you to local Dan Jerwood for the photo.

Are you a Keighley-based freelance creative looking for more paid opportunities?

We’re looking for artists, crafters and makers from Keighley who can run public, drop-in workshops around town. These will be mostly for children and families, but may expand to adults too.

These will be action packed days that will give you the chance to meet fellow creatives, local businesses and of course the brilliant people of Keighley!Activity days like this are busy, so you will need to be a well organised person who enjoys a challenge and who is able to make these sessions safe, friendly and above all, fun!

You will also need to have your own ideas for the workshops – making something unusual or something your visitors can take away with them always goes down well!

Ideally, you will also already have an active DBS check but please still get in touch if you meet all the other criteria.

In the first instance, we’re looking for people to run workshop days that will be managed by Keighley Creative and funded by Keighley Town Council (to be in the running for this, please get in touch by 5pm on Friday, 20th of May) but are also looking to create a long term database of Keighley-based workshop facilitators for future opportunities.

To register your interest, please return the form below to admin@keighleycreative.org

We are very excited to introduce you to our new Festival and Events Director, Madeleine O’Reilly and coordinator, Cathryn Murray!

For the next two years, Madeleine and Cathryn will plan and develop our annual Keighley Arts & Film Festival, along with a full programme of other events.

Having co-founded Hull’s Assemble Fest in 2013 and with an impressive background in theatre and community arts, Madeleine is the perfect woman for the job, as is Cathryn with her experience developing community workshops.

Madeleine says: “Keighley is such an exciting place, and I really love the spirit of Keighley Creative. I’m passionate about finding and creating platforms for local artists and celebrating places, and there are so many possibilities here.

I’ve got loads of ideas. But I want to make sure they’re in tune with people here. I’m really hoping to talk to as many people as possible, find out what people are interested in; find out what people want to see, and also talk to artists as well because there are so many ideas that are already here.

I’m just really excited to start.”

Look out for more announcements about the Keighley Arts and Film Festival over the next few months!

The Trustees of Keighley Creative, an arts, creativity and cultural charity based in central Keighley, are recruiting for two new posts to plan, deliver and evaluate our annual Keighley Arts and Film Festival (KAFF) and other related events throughout the year.

The two posts, a Festival and Events Director and a Festival and Events
Coordinator, are funded for two years, with a possibility of two further years extension. The post-holders will be an important part of our well respected and fast- growing organisation and join our existing group of committed creative leads.

You will be joining Keighley Creative at a very exciting time for the organisation overall as we move forward with a new building and other expansion plans. We are also ambitious to grow KAFF over the next four years and to increase its profile locally, district wide and nationally.

For full details please contact fiona@keighleycreative.org
For an informal discussion please contact jan@keighleycreative.org

Closing date for applications: 28th February 2022
Interviews will be held on 7th March 2022

We will send out interview requests to short-listed applicants by 2nd March 2022

Recognise this spot? Well get ready for a Summer Surprise!

As a part of Summer Unlocked (a Bradford Council funded outdoor events programme happening in the district this summer), we are working with a group of artists and creatives to transform this amazing location. Why? Because the space is really interesting. The brutalist architecture inspires us… as do the Hanover Street trees… And we’ve been looking for an excuse to talk to the people who use it for a while now, so this is perfect!

Join us as we create a WOW moment for the town this summer!

Watch this space… more news shortly 🙂