Arts and Heritage Community Project

Arts and Heritage Community Project

Lauren is Keighley Creative’s Arts and Heritage Officer. She was appointed in April 2024 and has been engaging with our local communities and exploring the unique heritage stories here in Keighley! This is part of a two year partnership programme run by Kala Sangam, that also includes the South Square Centre and Bloomin’ Buds Theatre Company.

Keep reading to find out more about the project and what Lauren has been up to!

Latest Updates

In March, Lauren spent time with Highfield Community Association men’s group, working with the group on making artwork inspired by their culture and heritage.

In preparation for celebrations of Eid, the group came together to explore creativity and culture through art. During the first session, the men crafted beautiful lanterns out of cellophane, paper, and colors — perfect decorations for the upcoming festivities. They also created their own personalised bookmarks.

At the next session, using calligraphy pens and watercolors, the group practiced their skills on canvas, creating intricate designs and writing meaningful words.

The group particularly enjoyed using the watercolours, saying they artform was very peaceful and relaxing!

Gallery Archive

Have a look through our gallery archive to see just some of the activities and workshops our community groups have enjoyed throughout the project!

Art on the Cart event at Keighley Creative . Photo: Bob Smith Photography

Exhibition

In December 2024, Keighley Creative held the Art On The Cart exhibition. The exhibition showcases and celebrates the heritage and creativity of Keighley’s community, brought to life through a series of collaborative art workshops that Lauren has run since April 2024.

Special thanks to Keighley Creative staff, freelancers and volunteers, Kala Sangam, Bradford Council Neighbourhoods and Community Services team, Word Up North, Highfield Community Association, One In A Million and The Bracken Bank Crew, St Michaels Centre, Friends of Parkwood, Long Lee Village Hall and the Keighley community for being a part of and supporting this project!

2 years

The Stockroom 

Events

31/05/2024
Spoken Word is coming to the Keighley! We are pleased to announce that Prismatic Leeds is coming to the Stockroom, our secret performance space in the heart of town. On Friday 31st May we will be hosting a spoken word open mic evening from 7.30pm.
05/04/2024
Keighley Creative are delighted to be hosting the Leeds Young Film Festival (LYFF) with 6 film screenings at the Stockroom Cinema across two dates. Bring the kids to enjoy a family film for just £4 per person. Date: Friday 5th April 2024 (Good Friday)

More Projects

A friendly and supportive 8 week creative art course for young people aged 12-16 (Referrals only)
The Pledges to the Landscape project is bringing art workshops into local primary schools to help children learn about our local peatlands and the importance of their conservation whilst being creative and having fun! Local artist, Naseem Darbey, is working alongside the Yorkshire Peat Partnership and the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust to bring specially designed workshops to Keighley schools.
Keighley Creative is home to the Stockroom, an intimate performance space and cinema, which is now available to hire. In 2023, Keighley Creative and The Unit were approached by the Leeds International Film Festival team as they were looking for a small cinema space in the Bradford district in which to screen a few films for that year’s event. The team put their heads together and the idea of a secret cinema was born.
Taking place in October 2023, the MEGA Drawing Box was an explosion of creativity and delight that welcomed nearly 1000 people into an unused department store in Keighley to make, dance and draw.
Projects that celebrate Keighley’s Urban Heritage & Regenerate our High Streets Keighley Creative has developed this body of work with creative producers Gemma Hobbs and Aimee Grundell, graphic designer Lee Goater, and a host of other local creative people.