Following the huge success of last year’s inaugural Spark event for the creative sector, Warwick District Council’s Arts Section is delighted to announce that registration and full programme of sessions and speakers is now live. The online event will be taking place this year from Monday 22 to Friday 26 February.

Anyone who is interested in promotion, recovery and growth of the creative sector in Warwick district is encouraged to register for a free ticket to this year’s event, by visiting the Spark 2021 webpage on the Warwick District Council website and following instructions to download the Whova app - where delegates will be able to build their agenda and take part in online discussions during the symposium.

There is a full programme of events including sessions on how the creative sector is responding to the pandemic and Brexit, diversity in the district, freelancer support, retention of young talent, updates on Coventry UK City of Culture 2021 and the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Cultural programme.

David Guilding, Arts Manager at Warwick District Council said:

“We are excited to host this unique event again following the success of Spark 2020. The programme, which has been developed in consultation with our creative community, promises to be hugely valuable to the area’s creative sector, particularly those hardest hit by the pandemic. The event aims to connect and reconnect delegates and celebrate and showcase just some of the incredible people, organisations, project and initiatives from across the area.”

Cllr Andrew Day, Leader of Warwick District Council added:

“This is a great opportunity for everyone with a passion for our amazing South Warwickshire creative community.  If you've an interest in the arts, digital, design and performance then there's something to excite you in Spark Ignite.  Signing on for this pace-making event provides an invaluable opportunity to renew connections, rebuild business opportunities and ignite a bright year ahead."

Cllr Jan Matecki, Warwick District Councils portfolio holder for Housing and Culture said:

“Spark 2021 aims to turn the creative talk of last year’s event into creative action and galvanise the creative business community in the district around a common purpose; recovery, promotion and growth of the sector.”

Speakers taking part in the event are from a range of companies in the district and the surrounding area, such as the Royal Shakespeare Company, Leamington Spa Art Gallery and Museum and many more. 

This free event is over five days and include over 20 sessions, 57 speakers and 50 local artists exhibiting in the online gallery. The event will also be hosting 38 creative organisations showcasing their work in the virtual market place.

The flexibility of this year’s event will enable delegates to dip in and out of sessions between work, home – schooling and exercise. Those taking part will get the chance to find out about new projects and initiatives happening in the area and share information about their work and plans for the future.

The event will provide you with the ability to connect and reconnect with members of the districts creative community, showcasing your work and your business to creatives throughout the region.

Spark 2021 is open to any one working in the creative sector or interested in promotion, recovery and growth of creative industry’s in Warwick District.

Member of Parliament for Warwick and Leamington Matt Western will be speaking at 3pm on Friday 26 February providing the summing up and closing remarks. 

Last year more than 380 delegates from the district’s arts, entertainment, digital and cultural community came together for a day of fact finding, discussion and performance at the Royal Spa Centre. In light of the COVID-19 restrictions this year’s event will take place online, however the organisers from the Council’s Arts team are confident that this will not diminish their aims to turn the creative talk from 2020 to creative action.

Spark 2021 is free to attend with the opportunity for organisations and individuals to host their own virtual booth.