Musings

The regenerative power of creative community

19th March 2025

On Tuesday night I headed over to Society1 in Preston for their Live Work Create event.

The topic this time was ‘Creative placemaking, shaping spaces and communities’ - exploring how creatives can shape the regeneration of our towns and cities. The panel included Sarah Clarke-Lees - Founder of That Alternative Studio & That Alternative HQ in Blackpool, Alex O'Toole - Chair of Arts Lancashire & Founder of The Good Creator and Iain Williams - Abstract Artist and Harris Advisory Board Member.

I’m not a natural networker, so these types of events tend to fill me with a slight sense of trepidation, but I was keen to go and hear what the panel had to say, speak to other creatives and see how we could collectively preserve creativity for future generations.

The place was packed, with around 40 creatives from across the sector and region in attendance. To be able to draw so many dedicated creative types together is a true testament to the great work that Society1 is doing. The energy and passion in the room was palpable, but there was no denying the sense of frustration and there were a few firm reality slaps too.

The creative industries were seen as integral to uplifting areas across Lancashire. It’s all about creating moments, and giving people the chance to do things outside of their everyday lives.

"We are the change we've been waiting for"

Ed Matthews-Gentle, Creative Lancashire

Now’s the time to connect and collaborate.

As Andy Walmsley from Wash Studios highlighted though, “collaboration only happens when someone steps forward” - someone has to stick their head above the parapet… It can be scary and often means putting their hand in their own pocket, with funding being seen by many as a last resort. The time, energy and commitment required to enter a bid is often seen as prohibitive. Yet, the resilience of artists was praised - constantly dusting themselves off after each failed funding application. There must be a limit to how many knocks they can take before calling it quits.

I quit my stable job with a Nottingham-based creative agency, as I wanted to be more connected with the community where I actually live, rather than working remotely, but it’s not been easy. As someone at the event said, “it takes time to get under the surface and become part of the conversation”. I’ve taken on a part time hospitality job to help me pay the bills. And it would appear I’m not the only one - Sarah said many of those using her studio also have second jobs as they currently aren’t able to live on their creative careers alone. It’s no wonder we’re struggling to retain future generations of creative talent locally, when the current local talent is struggling. Yet it’s not going to stop me or, I suspect, others from trying. We’re a tough bunch, all craving connection, a sense of community and believing in the importance of culture and creativity.

The event and its attendees did have somewhat of a Preston bias, and I’d be interested to hear how the conversation would go if it were held in other areas in the region. From attending various networking events, I’ve been discovering just how differently things seem to work from one area to another, and that’s just within part of the west side of the county. Connecting everyone and collaborating ‘across borders’ is, no doubt, going to be easier said than done.

Festival of Making, Blackburn

Chews Yard, Preston

Fire Garden, Preston

There’s so much happening locally

But as Alex said, it’s like “shouting into a black hole”. Trying to tell the stories and make people aware of all the events, initiatives and opportunities already available presents a real challenge.

Blackburn’s Festival of Making was held aloft as a shining star in creative placemaking, but it’s clear it’s taken time to get where it is, and it’s still got further to go. There’s no denying it’s made mistakes - but they’ve sought feedback from the community and crucially, they’re making real efforts to act on what’s been said. Initially, there was a sense from locals that the festival wasn’t for them, it was only for ‘outsiders’, so now the organisers are trying to ensure the local community is more actively involved in future events.

It was highlighted that culture needs to be built from the grassroots and shared with younger generations. Sarah said “if they can’t see it, they can’t be it”, echoing one of the sentiments voiced at the Convention of the North event earlier this month.

I grew up in a rural village in south Derbyshire, which didn’t have a lot going on and wasn’t well connected - there was one bus into Derby every hour, if you were lucky - not great as a teen trying to gain some independence! Yet, every May it hosts a ‘Well Dressing’ festival, which takes over the whole village for a weekend. Preparations start months beforehand, and most of the villagers get involved, in one way or another. The local school children have the opportunity to design a ‘well’ and paddle the clay in bathtubs in the playground. They also learn traditional country dancing and perform over the weekend. The local brownies, guides and scout troops also have their own well, and will go around the village knocking on doors asking if anyone could donate flowers. There are crafters, artists, cake-bakers, all sorts. Yes it attracts outsiders, but it's very proudly from the locals. Now I appreciate the area was fairly affluent and that will have made community involvement far easier than in places facing real hardship and deprivation. However, looking back, I think it does show that including people of all ages, in a range of creative activities for a cultural event, really does help instil a sense of pride and community, as well as boosting the area.

Lancaster LitFest 2025

Showtown Blackpool

Artch Studios, Preston

Some of the local initiatives

Blackpool school of arts

Wild in Art Blackpool Elmer trail designs by local school children

The next generation of creatives

Education and curriculum changes seem to be a big contributor in the decline in creativity in the younger generations. When I was at school we’d do creative writing, choir performances, plays, we got to play musical instruments, we did all manner of arts and crafts - but now, it feels like kids don’t get any of those opportunities, and that makes me so sad. As a natural-born creative, it was those creative activities that I remember most. They weren’t just lessons, they were formative experiences.

I’m not saying creative education was perfect back in my day - there was still no sense that you could make a career from being creative. I remember doing a careers quiz at school and anyone showing creative flair got told to be a florist - that was apparently the ONLY vaguely creative career available. I didn’t know what creative opportunities existed, but I did know I needed to do something creative. It’s that spark that burns within all us creative folk that I believe is what gives this sector the power for making change. And, it’s also what gives me hope that creativity will continue in future generations. We just need to nurture it and help those natural creative embers burn.

But, then comes the next conundrum… even if we can raise a new generation of little creatives, how do we get them to stay here and not get drawn to the bright lights and big promises of the major cities?

I, like others, don't have the answers, but I do think the fact we were all there, asking questions and wanting to get involved, is a very promising first step.

"Just go, just start, just do it"

Sarah Clarke-Lees, That Alternative HQ

Join the conversation

Be sure to check out the Society1 website for news on future Live Work Create events. Let's see if we can build on this momentum and collectively harness the power of creativity to drive regeneration.

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