Burnley is Looking for Its Culture Makers, Storytellers & Organisers

After a successful first phase of Burnley Culture Makers we are now looking for new recruits to help make, shape and deliver the Year of Culture. We are looking for those 16+ who want to make a difference in their own community.

Burnley is Looking for Its Culture Makers, Storytellers & Organisers

Culture Burnley are recruiting the next wave of Culture Makers. The community team building Burnley's Year of Culture 2027 from the ground up. Three roles, with Burnley Culture Makers across all fifteen wards. Recruitment is ongoing but places are limited.

Culture Makers is the volunteer team at the heart of Burnley 2027 Year of Culture, the borough-wide celebration of Burnley's creativity, heritage and community identity. Ninety residents from across Burnley are already part of the team with one group in every ward of the borough and recruitment is now open for the next phase of places.

The programme is run by Burnley Leisure and Culture and supported by Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, which has invested £198,000 in Phase Two over twenty-four months  one of the most significant community-led cultural investments in the borough's recent history.

Culture Makers are not passive supporters of the programme. They are the decision-makers. They choose which artists to commission. They shape the neighbourhood cultural plans. They run the events, tell the stories, and build the infrastructure that makes Year of Culture something that belongs to every corner of Burnley not just its biggest venues.

"We need to rediscover our true self, and take pride in that, not trying to be like anywhere else."

What Phase One Looked Like

The first group of Culture Makers recruited in summer 2025, they built something that had not existed in Burnley before. Working across five priority neighbourhoods, they organised the Christmas event at Burnley Market Hall, visited Bradford City of Culture, saw the Aitor Throup exhibition at the Empire Theatre as part of the British Textile Biennial, attended performances of The Last Dance and Juliet and Romeo at Padiham Town Hall, performed at spoken word nights at the Mechanics, ran workshops with young adults with SEND, worked with international students experiencing loneliness, and learned video editing and projection mapping.

They came from all walks of life. Many had never thought of themselves as cultural people. That changed.

"Getting involved with this, it's like I'm seeing the light again. I've got involved in writing, I've joined a writer's group, I'm actually going to perform. Just that one aspect of working with these hugely creative people has completely changed my life.”

"Getting to know the other Culture Makers and meeting like-minded people, it's made me believe a little bit more in community and people again. It's just a lovely thing."

"I thought I knew everything about Burnley and Padiham and I don't. I'm going to learn a lot more, and that's what I'm hoping."

Three Roles, One Team

Culture Makers join one of three groups, each playing an essential part in bringing neighbourhood cultural activity to life. No group works without the other two.

Culture Maker Organisers are the planners and connectors keeping events moving, liaising with artists, and making sure nothing falls through the cracks. Culture Maker Storytellers are the programme's loudest voices  communicating, connecting and making sure every corner of Burnley knows what is happening and feels welcome. Culture Maker Creatives are the grafters and the makers setting up the events, running the workshops and working hands-on with artists to make things real.

All three roles share four duties: Open the Door  finding the people in their communities who have been told culture is not for them. Set Up the Party doing the work that makes events possible. Host the Party making every space warm, welcoming and safe for anyone who walks through the door. Clean Up After It capturing what happened, feeding back what worked, and helping the programme grow.

What You Get

Every Culture Maker receives free wraparound training in event planning, cultural programming and community engagement; all expenses paid visits to cultural institutions and events across the UK; group mentorship from the Burnley Leisure and Culture team and Year of Culture partners; two complimentary theatre tickets per season at Burnley Mechanics; discounts at all BLC hospitality sites; invitations to BLC staff events; wellbeing sessions throughout the year; and a Burnley Leisure and Culture gym membership after three months of service.

Access to an expenses fund covering travel, meals, care needs and any access requirements means that cost is never a barrier to taking part. All Culture Makers are also covered by Burnley Leisure and Culture's public liability insurance while volunteering, and receive full support through the Enhanced DBS check process.

Who We Are Looking For

No prior experience in arts, culture or volunteering is needed. The only qualification is a passion for Burnley and its communities. Priority is given to applicants from Bank Hall & Fulledge, Barcley Hills & Trinity, Rose Hill & Burnley Wood, Brunshaw & Brownside, Padiham and rural Burnley postcodes but anyone from across the borough is encouraged to apply that are aged 16+. The time commitment is approximately ten hours per month on average, including a monthly full group meeting, fortnightly local area sessions, and involvement in training, visits and neighbourhood activity

To find out more or have an informal chat, contact: Alicia Foley - AFoley@burnley.gov.uk 

To express interest, complete the application form here.