The Vallum Gallery, Institute of the Arts

10/07/2025

Cumbria Arts and Culture Network has been awarded funding of £175,000 by Arts Council England as part of a brand new project to help more young Cumbrians build careers in the creative industries.

Working in partnership with theatres, museums and arts organisations as well as careers and education providers across the county, CACN will deliver SEE IT TO BE IT over the next three years.

https://cacn.co.uk/young-cumbrians-to-get-help-to-build-creative-careers

Young Cumbrians to get help to build creative careers – and stay in the county Cumbria Arts and Culture Network (CACN) has been awarded funding of £175,000 by Arts Council...

10/07/2025

08/07/2025

The BA (Hons) Wildlife Media team are delighted with the External Examiner's report for the 2024-2025 academic year, which we have recently received after the busy marking, internal moderation and external verification period.

Our External Examiner states "This course goes from strength to strength, and this is another year where work is impressive, and the quality of the teaching is evident in the student work. The Wildlife Media course is such a bespoke offering, and the passion and effort from its students literally drips from the page and/or media. The additional staffing of this course was very timely, and this also contributes to the quality of work. I would like to note that even coursework that does not grade as highly as others still shows effort and a passion for the subject."

This feedback is testament to our wonderful student community and the hard work of academic staff together with technician colleagues and support staff. The course team is commended "The course team should be applauded for their efforts and dedication" and course leadership is highlighted - "This course is well organised and run." The success of the BA Wildlife Media Degree Show was noted - "The final year show, its layout and design, looked fantastic." Overall, student work is described as "Strong work demonstrating broadcast standard techniques (camera and sound) with many narratives being very engaging."

24/06/2025

Cumbria is getting its very own community flag, and you can help choose it! 🎉

Earlier this year, we invited people across the county to design a flag that celebrates everything Cumbria stands for – our landscapes, people, history and pride. Nearly 200 designs were submitted by individuals, schools and community groups.

A panel has now shortlisted six final designs – and the public vote is open!

Vote for the flag that best represents Cumbria by 5pm on Sunday 13 July (Five Kings Day) – a historic date of unity in our region’s story.

The winning flag will be unveiled at a special service at Carlisle Cathedral this autumn.

Link to vote: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CumbriaCommunityFlag

The Cumbria Community Flag will stand alongside the historic county flags of Cumberland and Westmorland, offering a modern symbol of unity and identity for the whole region. It will be free to use by everyone, from schools and community groups to individuals and businesses as we celebrate Cumbria’s shared future while honouring its rich past.



Carlisle Cathedral Cumberland Council Westmorland and Furness Council University of Cumbria

24/06/2025

Wildlife and adventure filmmaking expert lecturer Keith Partridge (https://adventurecamera.co.uk) has recently been filming on the beautiful Shetland Islands Archipelago in Scotland. Image below of a Puffin taken by Keith.

19/06/2025

18/06/2025

Fantastic to hear that the brilliant Green Screen initiative are showing our graduating student's films their 'Young Filmmakers Showcase' event at the beautiful historic Alhambra Cinema in Penrith on 9th July.

A selection of our talented graduating student's work is visible here - https://uocdegreeshow.uk/?page_id=20

Here are the films being screened:

'Detect and Protect,' by Issy Drake & Poppy Hotham -
https://vimeo.com/1084665848

'Seasonal Secrets,' by Samuel Richardson - https://vimeo.com/1082197416

'Introverted Insect Enthusiast,' by Daniel Peters - https://vimeo.com/1082294776

'Echoes of the Sky,' by Callum Blackmore & Tilly Kingsford -
https://vimeo.com/1081406217

'Carlisle's Hidden Wildlife,' by Nathan Greening which is an interactive multimedia project -
https://indd.adobe.com/view/41349624-0ccf-489e-97a2-2b15a29dc122 (Password - Carlisle25)

If you are interested in environmental filmmaking, wildlife and protecting our natural world - get involved with Green Screen Penrith - details below!

13/06/2025

Cumbria Cultural Fund: apply now 🎨🖌️

The Cumbria Cultural Fund is now open for applications. Practitioners across all art forms are welcome to apply but we'd particularly like to hear from those interested in a career in the Visual Arts for this round of funding.

Closing date: Thursday 3 July 2025; panel meets 14 August.

Further information 👇
https://www.cumbriafoundation.org/fund/cultural-fund/

12/06/2025

Cumbria Community Foundation - https://www.cumbriafoundation.org/fund/cultural-fund/

Cumbria Cultural Fund - Open for Applications:

Grants to support individuals who study or live across Cumbria who are striving to achieve excellence in their chosen field of the arts. The Fund champions innovation and equity and aims to remove barriers. Applications are welcome from individuals who can demonstrate artistic talent and who seek to grow, learn, and develop their practice.

Donor:

The late Miss Mary Burkett and friends, and other individual donors

Who can apply? The Fund will prioritise individuals who:

• originate from Cumbria or live in the county
• can demonstrate talent or the potential to develop their creativity
• are least able to afford to develop their talent or creativity.

The Fund will support and enable:

• people of all ages, with a focus on young people
• those with the least opportunities or exposure to the arts
• established practitioners to grow and learn, and develop their practice
• the promotion of quality and excellence
• recognition that the pursuit of artistic practice is an objective in itself
• individual ‘voices’ and those committed to conveying messages e.g. need for societal change, challenging the status quo, etc
• ‘new’ and unconventional work
• greater use of the Foundation’s relationships with funded organisations and schools to identify people who may have talent, or a ‘spark’ to be nurtured
• artists to afford to be able to dedicate substantial time to their work (when funds allow).

What the Fund will not support in addition to our normal exclusions:

• artists in residence
• activities exclusively for school children.

How much can you apply for?

Grants will normally be less than £500 over one year; however, there is no minimum or maximum award amount. Multiple-year awards will be considered.

Deadlines for applications:

https://www.cumbriafoundation.org/deadline-date

Application form:

https://www.cumbriafoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Cultural-Fund-Application-Form-as-of-8.4.25.docx

For further information, contact:

Lisa Blackwell, Grants & Programmes Officer on 01900 820828 or email - [email protected]

06/06/2025