A dedicated space for creative businesses, charities and professionals to collaborate, discover support, and share experiences
The Creative & Culture area has been created to bring together businesses and professionals based in the sector to discover the variety of support, events and wider activity going on in the area. The area will be updated regularly with the latest news, events and activities taking place across the region.
The Creative & Culture area should reflect you. If you have an upcoming event you’d like to promote, or require support, let us know by contacting patrick.kitson@semlep.com and we’ll advertise on the Growth Hub website.
A space for everyone. We work with local talent and leading artists from across the UK to tell fresh and exciting stories all year round. Newly refurbished in 2019, the Hat Factory Arts Centre is back and presenting its most exciting programme yet, full to the brim with live music, contemporary dance, theatre, film, workshops and more!
With a diverse programme of events throughout the year, we pride ourselves in presenting work that is fresh, relevant and surprising. We are committed to supporting local creatives and promoters as well as bringing national voices to Luton. We believe in nurturing local talent and giving young artists a platform to tell their own story.
Our key performance space for theatre and dance is the Studio Theatre. Next up is The Factory Floor which is a 230 capacity gig space suitable for a range of music. We also have our Basement Bar, perfect for comedy, smaller gigs and club nights, and our flexible HATCH workshop spaces that can be used for messy work, presentations, or hatching a new creative idea.
The South East Midlands is an area rich in arts, heritage and culture, comprising a diverse range of natural assets, visitor attractions, world-class sporting facilities and a growing craft and creative industries sector.
A 2023 report by SEMLEP identified Creative and Culture as a high growth sector, with an estimated 3.7% average annual GVA growth in the 10 years to 2021.
However, there is growing uncertainty due to rising costs, lack of investment and a growing skills shortage – resulting in growing doubts over the longterm future of the sector.
To overcome these challenges, and to ensure Creative & Culture continues on a growth trajectory, we must come together to support and encourge
The South East Midlands Growth Hub has its ear to the ground to discover the latest funding opportunities across the region. To find funding opportunities, connect with a business adviser today
You can also explore what’s available below
The South East Midlands Growth Hub offers business support to all business in Bedfordshire, Milton Keynes and Northamptonshire. We go above and beyond to provide help and guidance to enable businesses to overcome the challenges they face. If you need support, or would just like to chat to our business adviser team to get a clearer picture of the how Growth Hub can help you, don’t hesitate to get in touch today.