Flagship creative programme celebrates landmark second year and continues to transform communities

Credit: DCC

Derbyshire Makes has cemented its place as one of the UK’s most ambitious county-wide creative and cultural programmes, following a hugely successful second year that brought tens of thousands of people together to celebrate the county’s heritage and creativity.

Delivered by Derbyshire County Council in partnership with a consortium of cultural organisations, artists, heritage partners and communities across the county, Derbyshire Makes has continued to grow in scale, reach and ambition since launching in 2025, reinforcing its position as the Council’s flagship creative and cultural programme.

Derbyshire Makes is made possible with funding from Arts Council England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Across spring and summer 2026, more than 79,000 people across the county and beyond engaged with Derbyshire Makes through festivals, exhibitions, workshops, talks, performances and hands-on making experiences, while more than 14,000 people actively took part in creative activities designed to inspire, connect communities and celebrate local heritage.

The project has positively impacted Derbyshire’s creative economy, employing 235 creative practitioners, supporting 87 creative and cultural businesses, awarding 28 community and heritage grants worth more than £51,000, alongside 28 specialist bursaries to help develop the county’s next generation of creative talent.

To champion the region’s visitor economy and local high streets, six town-wide festivals animated venues and high streets in parts of Derbyshire throughout April and May, attracting visitors from across the county and beyond, bringing high streets to life and showcasing the remarkable creativity that exists within Derbyshire’s communities.

Alongside the festivals, Derbyshire Makes expanded its countywide programme with a series of successful initiatives designed to nurture skills, celebrate heritage and create new opportunities.

The Women Who Make programme continued to grow through a programme of webinars, walks and talks, culminating in a showcase festival at Hardwick Hall that celebrated women working across heritage, craft and creative industries.

Derby Museum’s Makory Bus touring programme continued to take creativity directly into communities across Derbyshire, working with local artists to reach new audiences through creative heritage workshops, while Dare to Dream hosted sewing bee events in North Derbyshire, engaged communities to dream big through flag and banner making, ahead of its finale in spring 2027.

Meanwhile, the successful STEAM into ACTION pilot demonstrated the potential of hands-on creative learning, and the programme is now expanding across Derbyshire, inspiring young people to explore science, technology, engineering, arts and maths through creative design challenges developed with artists and industry partners.

Councillor John Lawson, Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Finance and Efficiency, said: “Derbyshire Makes celebrates everything that makes Derbyshire special – our creativity, our heritage, our skilled makers and the people who bring our incredible towns and villages to life.

“As well as delivering memorable experiences for audiences, Derbyshire Makes continues to support wider priorities around economic growth, regeneration, wellbeing and place-making, creating opportunities for local people while strengthening Derbyshire’s reputation as a destination for creativity, culture and innovation.

“The programme has also built stronger partnerships between local authorities, cultural organisations, community groups, educational institutions and creative businesses, laying the foundations for long-term sustainability and future growth.”

Dr Claire Tymon from LOCAL, which partnered with Derbyshire County Council on the projects, said: “Derbyshire has always been a county of makers. From our industrial heritage to the incredible artists, craftspeople, designers and creative businesses working here today, making is part of who we are.

“Derbyshire Makes is helping ensure that tradition continues by investing in people as much as places. Through festivals, workshops, bursaries, community projects and creative learning, we’re creating opportunities for people of all ages to develop new skills, discover creative careers and celebrate the talent that exists in every corner of the county.

“By supporting our creative communities and strengthening the county’s cultural economy, we’re not only enriching people’s lives, we’re helping to build a more confident, skilled and resilient Derbyshire for the future.”

With year 2 nearing completion, planning is already underway for an even more ambitious programme in 2027, with Derbyshire Makes set to return with six more festivals, expanded county-wide activity, large-scale schools competition, further grant-funded projects, and exciting opportunities for communities to celebrate, create and connect.

As Derbyshire Makes continues to evolve, its ambition remains clear; to champion the county’s remarkable creative talent, celebrate its rich industrial and cultural heritage, and ensure making remains at the heart of Derbyshire’s future for generations to come.