The National Festival of Making will return to Blackburn on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th 2025. This joyous celebration of creativity regularly attracts crowds of over 40,000 across the weekend for a vibrant programme of art, science, digital and craft experiences attracting significant national media attention.
Once again, the Makers Market will be key feature of the Festival with a wide range of stalls showing and selling work by fabulous artists, designers and makers.
This year’s marketplace will take place on Saturday 5th July 2025 at Blackburn Cathedral.
The Makers Market is a collaboration between Festival producers, Festival of Making CIC and guest curators, Hopeful and Glorious to celebrate and spotlight art, craft and design from across the region. Hopeful and Glorious will curate a showcase of around 50 artists, makers and designers who have been selected for the quality and originality of their work.
The Makers Market will provide a platform for creatives to exhibit and sell. It’s an opportunity for makers to share and shout about their creativity and industry. Please note the Marketplace is on the Saturday 5th only allowing you a full day to look around and engage in the wider festival.
There will not be any food stalls within the Makers Market as all food products will have a designated area elsewhere in the town centre. If you are a food producer, please contact info@festivalofmaking.co.uk
If you are interested in applying for a stand at the Makers Market at the National Festival of Making please complete the online form with links to your website/s and social media. If you are unable to complete the form online, please email hopefulandglorious@gmail.com to request a word version of the form.
Each stand should be presented to a high standard and have a distinctive, visually appealing
appearance. We will consider makers, designers, artists, and photographers who meet our
standards of selection. All work should be made or designed by you.
We are keen to encourage makers committed to developing a sustainable practice to get involved. We know sustainability is about making step changes and makers are fantastic at upcycling, recycling and minimising waste.
Before applying please read the Terms and Conditions at the bottom of this document as you will need to agree to comply on your application.
Makers can apply for a single 6ft table stall or a double table area (12ft). If you require a socket you will need to indicate this on the form and an additional fee is payable. Sockets are limited so will be offered on a first come first served basis. We cannot guarantee any rear wall space.
The application form asks whether we can share your details with other Festival of Making partners and for promotion. This is so that we can maximise the opportunity to raise the profile of makers taking part and allow makers the opportunity to take part in a range of opportunities around the festival programme.
The selection process starts in late February and makers are advised to apply early. It may take up to four weeks to have a decision. Selection will be based on originality, quality, range of work (in relation to other selected makers) and contemporary approach. We will select makers on a monthly basis from February to end May (depending on stall availability).
The Makers Market begins at 11am on Saturday 5 th July. Set up will be Saturday morning from 8am. Dismantling stalls will take place from 5pm. All stalls must be removed by 6pm.
Tables and chairs are provided. All other display equipment must be provided by the maker.
Description | Price |
---|---|
Single Table – 1.8m/6ft | £50 |
Double Table – 2 x 1.8m/6ft | £90 |
Single electrical power socket | £10 |