The BTB25 Participation Programme celebrates Lancashire’s rich textile heritage and vibrant communities. It’s a vital part of our biennial, offering free access for local people to connect with contemporary art, heritage, and creativity. Our volunteer programme will support 50 people to gain new skills, make connections, and become the friendly welcome of BTB. Partnering with 5 local artists, we’ll host 10 free, hands-on creative technique workshops. Engaging with BTB25’s themes of Invention and Innovation, we’ll deliver talks, tours, and learning activities that explore textile history in a contemporary context. We will host 20 guided tours for local schools, create bespoke learning materials for young people and deliver 5 artist talks. Our participation programme strengthens local pride, nurtures creativity, and builds lasting connections. Your support will help us make this possible—bringing art, heritage, and inspiration to Lancashire for everyone to enjoy.

What we'll deliver:

• Deliver a comprehensive volunteer programme, welcoming 50 local volunteers to be the friendly faces of BTB
• Facilitate skill-building opportunities for volunteers, focusing on communication, teamwork, and organisational skills
• Provide a supportive environment to help participants build confidence and develop transferable skills
• Host 10 free, textile and art workshops led by 5 local artists, within BTB25’s themes of Invention and Innovation
• Offer over 300 participants hands-on opportunities to engage with textile techniques and creative skills
• Enable participants to create and exhibit artwork as part of the biennial, fostering community ownership and pride
• Support local emerging artists by providing opportunities to deliver workshops and engage with the community
• Engage schools, colleges, and community groups by hosting 20 tailored talks and guided tours
• Engagement will also include learning materials that explore contemporary art, history, and the 2025 biennial themes
• Foster interest in creative industries by exposing students to artists and real-world applications of art and textiles

Why it's a great idea:

The BTB25 Participation Programme offers meaningful benefits through learning, volunteering, and creative skills: Accessing Creativity: BTB provides free workshops and an accessible learning programme, breaking down barriers to contemporary art and bringing world-class creativity to Lancashire. Up-skilling and confidence: Volunteers develop teamwork and communication skills while boosting confidence. Workshop participants gain hands-on creative techniques from local artists. Inclusivity and Community: Workshops and volunteering bring people together, fostering connections and celebrating the community’s creative potential. Economic and Educational Impact: Volunteering equips participants with transferable skills and young people gain exposure to creative industries, sparking new aspirations. Creating a Platform for Local Talent: BTB supports local artists and strengthens Lancashire’s cultural richness and creative ecosystem.

Steps to get it done:

• Meet our crowdfunding target to fund and expand the participation programme's community impact and reach.
• Engage schools, colleges, community groups, and artists to promote the programme and encourage involvement.
• Recruit 50 a diverse group of volunteers and participants for workshops, events, and educational activities.
• Recruit 5 local artists to lead workshops and develop projects inspired by BTB25 themes of Invention and Innovation.
• Host planning sessions for artists to collaborate with the BTB team on workshop design and delivery.
• Develop a detailed schedule for workshops, learning tours, and talks
• Coordinate with local venues, to confirm availability and accessibility.
• Support volunteers to assist with events, workshops, and visitor support, equipping them with the skills and knowledge.
• Launch a campaign to raise awareness of BTB25, workshops, and volunteer roles via media and networks.
• Host workshops, tours, talks, and events to foster creativity, skill-building, and engagement in the community.
• Exhibit the artworks created by workshop participants as part of the biennial, with recognition for all contributors.
• Host a celebratory closing event to reflect on achievements and gather feedback from participants and audiences.
• Collect feedback from participants, artists, and volunteers to measure impact and identify areas for improvement.
• Develop a legacy plan to sustain the Participation programme and build on its successes for future biennials.