The Lancashire Arts Exchange is a biannual event hosted by Arts Lancashire. It focuses on key issues impacting and inspiring the arts sector with the purpose of educating and inspiring Lancashire artists and arts organisations.

LANCASHIRE ARTS EXCHANGE 2026

Our biannual Lancashire Arts Exchange returns this year on Friday 13th March 2024 at Blackpool Grand Theatre. Join us as we explore the future of cultural education and creative careers across Lancashire.

Taking place at the iconic Blackpool Grand Theatre, the event brings together Lancashire arts and culture professionals and professionals from primary, secondary, FE and HE alongside representatives from local government to share insight, influence policy, and strengthen pathways into and through the creative industries.

The programme includes:

• A keynote on curriculum reform and the future of cultural education
• Speakers from cultural education partnerships and alliances working across Lancashire
• Case studies showcasing innovative practice from across Lancashire
• Practical workshops encouraging cross-sector collaboration, best practice and knowledge sharing
• Opportunities to shape a new county-wide policy on creative education access

Whether you work in education, culture, local government or creative practice, this event offers a vital space to connect, contribute and help shape the next chapter of cultural education in Lancashire.

Bursaries

We have five Arts Exchange bursaries of £100 each to award to enable freelance artists to attend this year’s Lancashire Arts Exchange. These bursaries are for those for whom the cost of taking a day away from work is a prohibitive factor to attending the event and for those who face barriers due to ethnicity or disability. These spaces are part of our wider work towards creating a more inclusive sector.

To apply for an Arts Exchange Bursary, please complete the Bursary Application Form by 5pm Friday 20th February 2026

Recipients will be notified by Friday 27th February 2026 and will receive their bursary via bank transfer the following week.

Tickets are priced at £10 (including refreshments and lunch) and must be booked in advance. 

 

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