In June 2026, artists, creative practitioners, arts organisations, independent venues, community groups and public sector partners came together for an Open Space event to explore the opportunities and challenges facing Luton’s creative sector.
The event provided an opportunity to listen, learn from one another and help shape the future of arts and culture in the town. It was also an important step in an ongoing conversation about how we support creativity in Luton and ensure future priorities reflect the needs and ambitions of the people working across the sector.
Listening and responding
When the Luton Arts programme began, we carried out a detailed needs analysis through surveys, focus groups and one-to-one conversations with local creatives. We wanted to understand what artists, organisations and creative practitioners felt they needed most to develop their work and thrive in Luton.
Two of the strongest themes that emerged were the need for:
- More opportunities for personal and professional development.
- Better access to affordable and appropriate space to create, collaborate and share work.
These findings directly informed the development of Luton Arts Support, which provides one-to-one support, mentoring and skills development opportunities, and the Space to Create Fund, which aims to help unlock creative space across the town.
In short, we listened to what people told us they needed and worked with partners to respond.
Why open space?
Understanding need is not a one-off exercise.
Working alongside the Arts and Culture Strategy Group, we wanted to continue the conversation with Luton’s creative community and explore what opportunities and challenges are emerging across the sector. With a new Cultural Strategy due to be developed in 2027, the event provided an important opportunity to gather insights that can help shape future priorities.
Rather than presenting a fixed agenda, we chose an Open Space approach because it places participants at the centre of the discussion.
Open Space is a facilitation method designed around a simple principle: the people in the room create the agenda. At the start of the session, attendees suggested the topics they felt were most important and then joined the conversations they were most interested in. People could move freely between discussions, following the “law of two feet” – if a conversation was no longer where they could contribute or learn, they were encouraged to move to another discussion.
This created a dynamic and inclusive environment where a wide range of voices could be heard, new connections could be made and ideas could develop naturally. The format enabled people to focus on the issues that mattered most to them while encouraging collaboration, honest conversation and collective problem-solving.
What we heard
Many of the themes raised reflected what we heard during the original needs analysis, while also bringing new insights and perspectives.
Key themes included:
- Supporting artists and creative careers through improved professional development, mentoring, leadership opportunities and fair access to funding and commissions.
- Creative spaces and infrastructure, including the need for affordable studios, maker spaces, exhibition venues and better use of vacant buildings and public spaces.
- Collaboration and networks, with a strong desire for artists and organisations to connect, share knowledge and work together more effectively.
- Access, inclusion and participation, including removing barriers to engagement, broadening representation and ensuring communities have a stronger voice.
- Young people, skills and creative pathways, with a focus on promoting creative careers, strengthening links with education and creating opportunities for young people to shape the future cultural offer.
- Culture, identity and place-making, including the role of arts and culture in celebrating local stories, supporting regeneration and strengthening pride in Luton.
One particularly consistent message was the need for better access to affordable and appropriate creative space. This echoed the findings from our original needs analysis and many of the conversations we’ve had throughout the programme.
That is why we are delighted to launch the Space to Create Fund, helping us continue to respond to what creatives have told us is needed, while also learning more about how future cultural infrastructure can support the sector.
Open Space also reminded us of the power of collaboration. We have therefore shaped the fund to encourage projects that create wider benefits for the creative community and strengthen connections between people, organisations and places.
Moving forward together
The conversations captured through Open Space will not sit on a shelf.
The insights generated will help inform future programme delivery, future investment priorities and the development of Luton’s next Cultural Strategy. Most importantly, they will help ensure that future plans are informed by the experiences, ideas and ambitions of Luton’s creative community.
The event was also a reminder of the strength that already exists within the sector.
We experienced an abundance of kindness, enthusiasm, energy and ideas to build upon. We saw courage in people speaking up about what matters to them. We saw thoughtful listening, constructive challenge and a genuine willingness to work together.
Some people contributed confidently in the larger discussions, while others shared valuable insights in smaller conversations. Every contribution mattered.
Reflecting on the day, we were struck by how many different strengths, perspectives and leadership styles were present in the room. These qualities complement one another and will all have an important role to play as we shape the future together.
Arts and culture in Luton will be strongest when everyone has the opportunity to contribute.
So, if you have a moment, our questions for you would be:
- Where do you see your strengths in this big room of people?
- What are you proud of bringing to the day?
- What do you admire in other people’s work or way of communicating that you’d like to develop in yourself?
A continuing conversation
The Open Space event in June was not an end point. It was part of an ongoing commitment to listening, learning and working alongside Luton’s creative community.
The insights gathered are already informing programme delivery and have reinforced areas where further action is needed, including access to creative space, skills development and opportunities for collaboration. They will also help shape thinking as work begins on a new Cultural Strategy for Luton in 2027.
We are not creating that future alone. The strategy will be strongest when it reflects the experiences, ambitions and expertise of the people, organisations and communities that make up Luton’s creative ecology.
Together, we can continue building the partnerships, opportunities and infrastructure that enable creativity to thrive across Luton.
Further information
Luton Arts Support
One of the strongest messages from the Luton Arts needs analysis was the demand for more professional development, mentoring and tailored support for creatives.
In response, Luton Arts Support brings together a range of opportunities delivered by programme partners, including leadership development through Clore Leadership, one-to-one advice and support from Revoluton Arts, and access to opportunities, funding and sector resources through the Luton Arts website.
Develop your leadership
If you’re helping shape Luton’s creative future, Clore Leadership are offering free development opportunities for Luton-based creatives, artists, producers, freelancers, organisers and community leaders.
Leading with Confidence Webinar
18 November 2026, 12.30pm to 2.30pm
Step Up & Lead (Two-Day Workshop)
11 December 2026 and 12 February 2027
One-to-one support
Creatives can also book free one-to-one advice and development sessions with Revoluton Arts, designed to provide practical, tailored support and help you take your next steps with confidence.
Opportunities and commissions
Explore current funding, commissions, open calls and development opportunities through Luton Arts Support.
If you have an opportunity you’d like to share with the creative community, visit our opportunity submission page.
Luton Space to Create Fund
Access to affordable, suitable and flexible creative space has consistently emerged as a priority through the Luton Arts needs analysis, ongoing engagement with the sector and discussions at the June Open Space event.
The Luton Space to Create Fund is a direct response to that feedback. The fund offers grants of up to £10,000 for projects that test, explore and develop creative space, production facilities and shared resources in Luton, generating learning and lasting benefit for the wider creative community.
