WHO WE ARE

Handmade Productions CIC are an arts organisation based in West Yorkshire, who specialise in producing community focused parades and events. Bringing artists into communities to create parades, festivals and stunning celebrations. We have a fantastic, talented and generous team of professional carnival artists, puppeteers, makers, musicians, stilt walkers and performers and our signature events include the Hebden Bridge Handmade Parade, and the Lamplighter Festival.

OUR VISION:

We make magic out of the everyday, create memories that last forever and transform how people see the world, their community and their place within it.

Our events are created with the communities we work with, between professional artists producing their own work, and high quality, accessible, community making and performing workshops. We often partner with other organisations to create parades, events and workshops. We also build and hire out giant puppets, site décor, and illuminated sculptures and puppets to festivals and events, and public and corporate clients.

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JOB BRIEF:

ARE YOU A FINAL YEAR STUDENT OR EARLY-MID CAREER ARTIST BASED IN PENDLE?

DO YOU WANT TO LEARN OR DEVELOP YOUR SKILLS IN LANTERN PUPPET-MAKING AND COMMUNITY PARADE ARTS?

WE HAVE AN EXCITING OPPORTUNITY.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Attend 5 day masterclass course creating two new lantern installations for Winterbloom 2025 (23rd – 27th Sept 2024)
• Co-design and be mentored in the creation of two new lantern installations for Winterbloom 2026
• Research and attend light night events in the North West of England
• Free attendance at Explore sessions in Colne. Next one which is looking at lighting for outdoor arts, is on Saturday 7th Sept 2024. The Explore sessions will feature guest artists sharing their experiences and practices in the outdoor arts sector.
• You will assist our lead artist in the development and creation of a medium sized puppet
• Working alongside our lead artist delivering community co-design sessions for the creation of the medium sized puppet
• Support artists delivering community workshops creating lanterns, costumes, props
• Help to prepare and make artwork in readiness for the parade
• Work as crew during the parade and support post parade tidy up

OUTCOMES:

• You will be an integral part of parade preparations and activities, which will provide an exclusive insight into the community and outdoor arts sector. Focusing on illumination and large scale lantern making techniques.
• You’ll learn approaches and techniques in the design and making of costumes, props, willow-based lantern puppets, low voltage lighting and running community workshops.
• You’ll see what’s needed to deliver a successful illuminated parade event before, during and afterwards.
• Learn best practices and skills for working in a community arts setting

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

There are two positions available.

This is a paid opportunity. Subject to further funding we hope to extend this artistic development opportunity for 2025/2026.

Pay: £11.44 per hour plus reasonable travel expenses

Term: approx. 21 days

Dates: Saturday 7th Sept 2024 2 x Explore training sessions morning and afternoon
23rd Sept – 27th Sept 2024 take part in a 5 day illuminated installation masterclass

The following is subject to funding

Jan & Feb 2025
– Assisting artists in community workshop delivery
– large puppet or lantern making
– prop, costume making design and preparation
– attend 1 day Explore training session

February 2025
-Take part in Winterbloom illuminated parade

Hours: Approximately 120 hours

Location:

– Colne, Pendle various locations
– Handmade Productions workshop, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Send your expression of interest including details of your artform skills, experience, areas of interest and career vision hello@handmadeproductions.org.uk by 16th August 2024 (no more than 2 sides of A4).

You’ll be contacted by 21st August 2024 if we decide to offer you a place.

Click here for more info and a downloadable job description PDF

WHO WE ARE

Handmade Productions CIC are an arts organisation based in West Yorkshire, who specialise in producing community focused parades and events. Bringing artists into communities to create parades, festivals and stunning celebrations. We have a fantastic, talented and generous team of professional carnival artists, puppeteers, makers, musicians, stilt walkers and performers and our signature events include the Hebden Bridge Handmade Parade, and the Lamplighter Festival.

OUR VISION:

We make magic out of the everyday, create memories that last forever and transform how people see the world, their community and their place within it.

Our events are created with the communities we work with, between professional artists producing their own work, and high quality, accessible, community making and performing workshops. We often partner with other organisations to create parades, events and workshops. We also build and hire out giant puppets, site décor, and illuminated sculptures and puppets to festivals and events, and public and corporate clients.

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JOB BRIEF:

ARE YOU A FINAL YEAR STUDENT OR EARLY-MID CAREER ARTIST BASED IN THE DACORUM BOROUGH AREA?

DO YOU WANT TO LEARN OR DEVELOP YOUR SKILLS IN PARADE COMMUNITY ARTS?

WE HAVE AN EXCITING OPPORTUNITY FOR A CREATIVE INDIVIDUAL TO WORK WITH ONE OF THE UK LEADING ARTS ORGANISATIONS HANDMADE PRODUCTIONS CIC.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• To fulfil this role, you will be required to commit to supporting a lead artist at workshops in the Dacorum Borough on September 25th, 26th, 27th, and 28th 2024 (times and locations tbc).
• You will assist our lead artist in the prep and delivery of two community workshops per day, creating headdresses, costumes, and props.
• Additional creative finishing support required on these days.
• Work as crew during the parade on Sunday 29th September and support post parade tidy.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:

• You will be an integral part of parade preparations and activities, which will provide an exclusive insight into the community and outdoor arts sector. Focusing on costume, props and parade art making techniques.
• You’ll learn approaches and techniques in the making of costumes, props, puppets, and running community workshops.
• You’ll see what’s needed to deliver a successful parade event before, during and afterwards.
• Learn best practices and skills for working in a community arts setting.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

There is one position available.

This is a paid opportunity.

Pay: 21yrs and over – £11.44/hour, 18-20yrs – £8.60/hour
8-10 hours per day tbc
Plus reasonable travel expenses.

Term: 1 week

Dates: 25th September until the 29th September 2024

Sunday 29th September 2024 Hemel Hempstead parade day which you will need to be available to work.

Location: Various locations in the Dacorum Borough.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

You can apply in one of two ways:
1. Send your expression of interest including details of your skills, art form, and experience in no more than 2 sides of A4. Photos of your work are welcome. Our address is below on our website footer.
2. Submit a link to your video application via email, the video should be maximum 5 minutes and sent as a link (do not send a video file, as we will not receive it).
Please send all applications to fran@handmadeproductions.org.uk by 5pm on Friday 2nd August 2024.
You’ll be contacted by Friday 9th August 2024 if we decide to offer you the position.

Click here for more info and a downloadable job description PDF