Luton Borough Council

01/12/2025 - Luton ignites new talent with Lightning Fund awards

Eleven emerging artists and creative groups with strong links to Luton have been awarded funding through the Lightning Fund, part of the town’s wider Create Fund.

From poetry and film to music, textiles, and immersive sound, these projects will transform Luton’s venues and public spaces with fresh cultural experiences.

The Lighting Fund will support the following projects:

• Chris Burford - Brush 4 Strokes: art workshops supporting stroke survivors and people with neurological conditions.

• Ayah - floral and canvas installations transforming local spaces into vibrant reflections of life and belonging.

• Dana Hudson - Where the Arrow Falls: a queer musical retelling of Achilles and Patroclus developed at the Hat Factory.

• Luton Spark Productions - a community-led theatre project blending martial arts and comedy, to explore resilience and confidence.

• Derek Stewart - docuseries spotlighting Luton’s creatives, musicians, and community champions.

• Safoora Ahmed - My Nan, My Roots: a video series sharing family stories and cultural memory.

• An emerging filmmaker will capture powerful local stories through professional training and equipment.

• Nadia Hussain - building an online platform to showcase her art and make creativity accessible.

• Acoustic Survey Art Lab - Adventures in Sound: workshops exploring rhythm, improvisation, and play.

• Laura Mathurin - creating immersive audio stories with young people in local community gardens.

• James Anderson - restoring historic hat-making machinery to preserve Luton’s heritage and pass on the skills to future generations.

Councillor Hazel Simmons, Leader of Luton Council, said: “We’re delighted to support local creatives through this funding. Luton’s creative community is one of our greatest strengths, and these projects will bring joy, inspiration and pride to our town. Arts and culture play a vital role in improving wellbeing, celebrating our diversity, and building a stronger, more vibrant Luton. I can’t wait to see what these talented creatives bring to life.”

More to come

The Lightning Fund is part of the wider Create Fund, which supports local artists with funding, mentoring, and opportunities to grow. The Evolution Fund, to be announced in the coming months, will offer even more opportunities for local creatives to get involved.

Follow the journey

• Instagram: @luton_arts

• Facebook: @Luton Arts Programme

• LinkedIn: Luton Arts

For more information, visit the Luton Arts website or email the Luton Arts team.

Thank you to our funders: Arts Council England, the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and Luton Rising.