Our Funders and Sponsors

Light Up Lancaster is delivered in partnership by Lancaster Business Improvement District, imitating the dog, Mirador, and Lancaster University with support from Lancaster City Council.

We would like to say a massive thank you to our incredible funders and sponsors who work with us to make the festival the biggest and brightest it can be!

CHAMPIONS

Meet our Champions, who help us to celebrate and showcase the best of regional, national and international light art.

Hotfoot Design is a multi award-winning creative agency based in Lancaster, Lancashire. Founded in 2002, it specialises in brand strategy, digital marketing, and web design for clients across the UK and beyond. Hotfoot works with iconic brands, startups, and public sector organisations, including Lancaster City Council. Known for its strategic thinking and impactful campaigns, the agency delivers standout work that drives engagement. Its team of specialists offers services from PPC and social media to visual identity and print.

FUNDERS

Meet our Funders, who help us to ensure that Light Up Lancaster remains free and accessible.

Preston City Mela is a vibrant, free festival celebrating South Asian arts, culture, and heritage. Held annually since 1992, it returned to the Flag Market on 23 August 2025 for its 28th year. The event features live music, dance, interactive workshops, and food stalls, showcasing local and regional talent including Jazzy J, Sahara, and Worldwise Samba Drummers. Organised by Preston City Mela CIC, it promotes community cohesion and cultural diversity across Lancashire. The Mela also runs year-round projects in traditional art forms and partners with events like Light Up Lancaster to “pass the light” from Diwali.

The Duchy of Lancaster is a private estate held in trust for the British Sovereign in their role as Duke of Lancaster. Established in 1265 and formalised as a Duchy in 1351, it spans over 18,000 hectares across England and Wales, including rural estates, historic buildings, and commercial properties. It provides independent income to the monarch and retains ceremonial rights in Lancashire, where it plays a prominent role in heritage and community life. Locally, the Duchy supports cultural initiatives such as Light Up Lancaster and manages iconic sites like Lancaster Castle. The Duchy also administers ownerless estates and appoints officials to historic institutions like Wyggeston’s Hospital. With roots in medieval England and a modern commitment to stewardship, the Duchy remains a vital part of the UK’s constitutional and cultural landscape

Lancashire County Council funds a wide range of cultural, community, and economic development projects across the region. Programmes include the Lancashire Culture and Sport Fund, which has supported over 190 local initiatives through Spacehive, raising more than £3 million. The Council also backs events like Light Up Lancaster, museum renewals, and tourism awards. Through Boost Lancashire, it funds retail support schemes, and collaborates with Marketing Lancashire to promote the county nationally. Additional grants target sustainability, health, and regeneration, including orchard planting and smoking cessation. These efforts foster inclusive growth and community wellbeing.

Crowdfund Lancashire is a community funding initiative led by Lancashire County Council in partnership with Spacehive. It supports grassroots culture and sport projects across the county through matched crowdfunding. Eligible organisations can receive up to £15,000, while individuals may access simplified applications for up to £1,500. Projects must reach 50% of their funding target to unlock council pledges. Successful campaigns include festivals, youth programmes, and creative workshops. The scheme has backed over 100 projects since 2022 and continues to empower communities to shape local life through inclusive, participatory funding.

Lancaster University Confucius Institute is a regional hub for Mandarin language and Chinese cultural education, established in partnership with South China University of Technology in 2011. It offers classes, workshops, and outreach programmes to students, schools, and communities across the North West. Activities include calligraphy, tai chi, Chinese ink painting, and musical events like “Songs from China”. The Institute also hosts international conferences on Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chinese language teaching. With Confucius Classrooms in Blackpool and Carlisle, it promotes intercultural understanding and supports UK-China educational collaboration. Visit lancaster.ac.uk/confucius-institute for more.

Lancaster University’s Impact Acceleration Programme supports the translation of academic research into real-world impact through strategic funding partnerships. Backed by UK Research Councils including AHRC and EPSRC, the programme funds interdisciplinary projects across arts, humanities, and physical sciences. It enables collaborations with external partners, including community organisations, businesses, and cultural institutions. Recent initiatives include support for Light Up Lancaster’s Explore Week, featuring hands-on science and art workshops. The programme operates via formal calls and responsive mode applications, with a budget of approximately £1.5 million from 2022–2025. It fosters innovation, public engagement, and regional development.

The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) is a UK public body that funds world-class research and postgraduate training across the arts and humanities. Established in 2005 and part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), AHRC supports disciplines from literature and languages to design, archaeology, and performing arts. It awards over 700 research grants and 1,350 postgraduate scholarships annually through competitive peer review. AHRC aims to advance knowledge, foster cultural impact, and promote public engagement. Its strategic goals include supporting creativity, heritage, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Funded by UK Government: The UK Government funds a wide range of initiatives to support economic growth, innovation, and community wellbeing. Programmes include the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), which replaces EU structural funds and provides £2.6 billion for local investment across the UK. In Lancaster, this has supported marketing, tourism, and cultural projects. Other schemes include aerial imagery access via the APGB contract, museum renewal grants, and voter ID support. Nationally, funding spans infrastructure, research, and international development through bodies like UKRI and the FCDO. These programmes empower communities, drive innovation, and promote inclusive prosperity.

Lancaster City Council serves the Lancaster district, delivering services such as planning, housing, waste and recycling, leisure, and cultural development. It operates under no overall political control, with a cross-party cabinet structure. The council has been praised for its “let’s do it” culture and strong leadership following a positive peer review. Recent initiatives include a major overhaul of waste and recycling collections, regeneration of the Canal Quarter, and support for over-55s housing options. The council is also recognised for climate leadership and digital transformation, using modern tech stacks and hosting community engagement events.

Arts Council England is the national development agency for creativity and culture, investing public funds from the UK Government and National Lottery to support arts, museums, and libraries. Its 2020–2030 strategy, Let’s Create, aims to foster creative people, cultural communities, and a vibrant cultural country. The Council funds organisations like More Music, the Dukes, and Lancaster Arts through its National Portfolio, promoting environmental responsibility and inclusive access. It also supports local events such as Light Up Lancaster and projects like Jukebox: The Teenage Revolution. Headquartered in Manchester, it operates under a Royal Charter and collaborates with councils, universities, and cultural charities.

OUR SUPPORTERS

Meet our Supporters, who help us celebrate the city’s heritage, sense of community, and creative spirit.