There have been festivals and pageants in Hebden Bridge going back hundreds of years and Hebden Bridge Arts, trading as Hebden Bridge Arts Festival until 2022, is at the heart of this rich and diverse continuum.
In recent years we have moved towards a community-based, collaborative model of co-creating and celebrating arts & local culture. This has involved special projects taking place with the participation of people from across Calderdale.
In recent years we have moved towards a community-based, collaborative model of co-creating and celebrating arts & local culture. This has involved special projects taking place with the participation of people from across Calderdale.
Our 2022-2023 project was OPEN SPACE 70
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From June 2022 to July 2023 we connected the public, community groups, artists and environmental experts to create art across all genres for our Open Space 70 project.
The Open Space 70 festival and arts trail took place over 13-16 July. We showcased our environmental theme through film, exhibitions, installations, workshops, family entertainment, group walks, talks, and inspiring performances. On OUR IMPACT page you can browse the festival programme, check out our short film and read a PDF of our our legacy book. We are delighted to share some of the work made during the project: enjoy a selection of short films made by young people, creative soundscapes made by our Engaging Neighbourhoods and Allotment Arts groups, Bodies of Water protest performance images, soundscape and resources and our Moth inspiration page. |
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Our 2022 project was 'LAND MARKS'
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In Spring 2022 we brought together exciting artists with six partnered groups across Calderdale working with participants to creatively explore the environment, culminating in a public sharing of work via our Land Marks exhibition at Gibson Mill, Hardcastle Crags in April 2022.
Making and embedding new connections, this project celebrates culture made by people who do not self-identify as currently engaged with a formal ‘arts’ offer. |
CROSSINGS was our spring 2022 public photo adventure
Hebden Bridge Arts’ 2022 Crossings exhibition, which toured community venues in June 2022, shared over 300 photographs taken by members of the public in response to an open call and by workshop participants of six different photo walks and workshops, designed for adults and children, that we led around Hebden Royd in March and April.
Our aim was simple: encourage people to explore our wonderful local landscape, by themselves or on a group walk, and think creatively about what they encountered, on the theme of Crossings, snapping photos as they went.
Our aim was simple: encourage people to explore our wonderful local landscape, by themselves or on a group walk, and think creatively about what they encountered, on the theme of Crossings, snapping photos as they went.
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CREATIVE NEIGHBOURHOODS was our 2021 project
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In January 2021 (supported by Calderdale Council), we started working on our Creative Neighbourhoods Project with Calderdale groups who have not traditionally engaged with our festival. The project aimed to match the groups with a locally reknown artist and enjoy creative workshops.
In May 2021 we held an 'Unhidden - Creative Neighbourhoods' micro exhibition on Bank Holiday weekend at Northlight Arts Studio. This exhibition offered a celebratory glimpse into the talent and ideas of the groups who participated. |
WEEKEND OF WONDERFUL WOMENIn 2018 a Weekend of Wonderful Women took place in order to celebrate the centenary of partial suffrage.
Hebden Bridge has been long famed for it's vivacious history of politics, feminism, and the wonderful inspirational women that have lived, and continue to live in this town. Over the weekend we celebrated wonderful women - past, present and future. |
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WHO LIVED IN MY STREET IN 1916?
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Our Blue Plaque project in 2016 invited Hebden Bridge residents to find out about who lived in their properties at the height of the Great War in 1916.
Over 300 vinyl blue plaques were printed to be displayed in windows throughout the town, many of which are still in situ. Of the people involved in the project we reached a wide and diverse audience from young families to the residents of local care homes and sheltered accommodation, primary schools to university graduates, locals and visitors. |
See our PAST PROJECTS Dropdown Menu for the full list of our Community Projects: including
Virtual Museum, Pop Up Museum, details of past annual arts festivals and our gallery
Virtual Museum, Pop Up Museum, details of past annual arts festivals and our gallery
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Postal Address: Hebden Bridge Arts, The Town Hall, St George's Street, Hebden Bridge, HX7 7BY.
Main email: [email protected] Sign up to our Newsletter here
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Hebden Bridge Arts is the trading name of Hebden Bridge Arts Festival Limited, a company limited by guarantee and registered in England & Wales with company number 3520619. Its registered office is 12 Market Street, Hebden Bridge, HX7 6AD. Hebden Bridge Arts Festival Limited is registered with the Charity Commission with charity number 1070600. |