About the hosting mirror ecosystem

Saltaire Inspired is an arts charity, creating quality contemporary art events inspired by the unique historical & contemporary context of Saltaire Industrial Village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Residents, schools, community groups & businesses, are involved in cultural experiences for all who live, work & visit Saltaire. They have a relationship with Rydal Industrial Museum, Sweden begun in 2018 when delegates from Rydal and Gothenburg visited Saltaire. They were inspired by the heritage projects and we began developing a collaboration by exchanging artists’ work. These were exhibited in residential homes in Saltaire Village and in the Museum windows in Rydal each December.

Their collaboration continues and intend to develop an arts and community-led programme exchanging arts expertise and creative innovation. This will reflect the textile heritage industries, and the arts that connect us.  More recently, Bradford has won the nomination of UK City of Culture 2025, bringing together communities and strategic managers in and around Saltaire and the Bradford District to work together, build new international collaboration and learn from similar experiences, towards being UK City of Culture 2025.

One of the key topics of discussion and spark for collaboration opportunities was indeed Bradford UK Capitol of Culture 2025, the bid leading up to it and what is planned for that year. Two of the Be.CULTOUR participants were from cities that have been EU Capitals of Culture – Leeuwarden in the Netherlands (2018) and Basilicata (Matera 2019) in Italy – fostering active exchange of good practices and lessons learnt on the successful management of cultural activities and strategies to build a legacy after being Capitals of Culture. 

On Tuesday 30 May, the visit concluded with a workshop consolidating the synergies and discussions about being a Capital of Culture and sharing new ideas on community enegagement and circular tourism approaches.

This project activity will be followed by another peer-learnig visit involving Be.CULTOUR partners in September in another mirror ecosystem: The 5 Senses Open-air Museum of Sciacca, Sicily.

A series of Webinars open to everyone and aimed to give a comprehensive understanding of circular and sustainable cultural tourism practices, mixing on-ground experience and expertise, is also hosted regularly by the project management team. 

Be.CULTOUR study-visit & Local Workshop

International partners from the Be.CULTOUR project community traveled to West Yorkshire, from Saturday 27 to Tuesday 30 May, to learn more about key events and destinations in the district, including Bradford 2025, exchange successful approaches and build collaborations.

The visit was organised in the frame of the peer-learning activities of Be.CULTOUR, where Saltaire Inspired, an arts charity creating contemporary art events in Saltaire Industrial Village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the 16 mirror ecosystems. Visitors from local authorities and tourism organisations in Belgium, Finland, Portugal, Netherlands and Italy visited the Saltaire Arts Trail, including the Open Village and Makers Fair; Salts Mill; Shipley; Cartwright Hall; the Industrial Museum and Haworth.

Bradford Council and Bradford Cultural Voice – a network of more than 300 artists and arts organisations – have supported the visit, especially during the reception to celebrate the first anniversary of Bradford being awarded City of Culture 2025, helping to give the visitors a brilliant experience of the cultural tourism expertise and opportunities in the district.

About the hosting mirror ecosystem

Saltaire Inspired’s activities are based in and around the village of Saltaire with its history, artistic heritage and compact geography making it an ideal location for community and arts events. Saltaire Inspired’s activities began in 2006, with the launch of the Living Advent Calendar: a community arts initiative where residents and businesses illuminate their windows to celebrate Advent. In 2007 Saltaire Arts Trail (SAT) was established as part of the annual September Saltaire Festival, consisting of Open Houses (residents’ houses opened to the public and used as unique gallery spaces), a Makers Fair (MF) and an Open Exhibition; and a further event was created each May Bank Holiday. On 12 August 2008, Saltaire Inspired was registered as a company limited by guarantee, and in 2013 Saltaire Inspired was registered as a charity.
Predominantly managed by volunteers, a Board of Trustees, established in the autumn 2010, ensures the ongoing development of Saltaire Inspired. Depending on available funds, there is a small team of freelancers and interns recruited to develop the programme, organize events and lead special projects.
The three core events a year are:

  • Saltaire Arts Trail (SAT) & Makers Fair (MF) - a wide range of activities including exhibitions, open houses, family / participatory events and digital arts. Approximately 150 independent designers and contemporary art practitioners locally and nationally are showcased in more than 40 venues around Shipley and Saltaire, including residents’ homes, Art Studios, outdoor spaces, Salts Mill, Shipley College, Bradford College; local businesses and places of worship. The iconic Victoria Hall hosts the Makers Fair.
  • SALTAIRE FESTIVAL: Makers Fairs (MF) – As part of the Festival Programme, the Makers Fair features around 50 artists, designers and makers including jewellers, textile designers, multi-media artists and ceramicists, practical artist demonstrations and family activities.
  • Winter Programme (including the Living Advent Calendar) - a community arts event with up to 65 local residents and business owners who design a festive scene in their windows. This is backlit and visible from the street. Over the period between 1st and 24th December windows are ‘opened’ for each day of advent and stay lit until 1st January. This is our collaboration with our Mirror Partner at Rydal Museum, Sweden.

As well as the core programme above, additional funds are raised to support special art commissions, children’s events, partnerships and collaborations.