The Makory Maker Call Out

Derby Museums and Local Creative Project Ltd are inviting proposals from artists, makers and creative facilitators to join the 2026 Makory Tour, a mobile makerspace that will travel across Derbyshire from March to May 2026.

The Makory Tour is part of the wider Derbyshire Makes programme and celebrates the county’s long-standing culture of invention, craftsmanship and creative experimentation. Inspired by Derbyshire innovators such as Joseph Wright, Richard Arkwright, Jedediah and William Strutt, Vivienne Westwood, Florence Nightingale, Benjamin Outram, David Mellor, the tour will offer hands-on workshops and drop-in activities for schools, families and community groups.

Derby Museums is recruiting a small team of 3 - 4 Makers in Residence to help shape and deliver the programme. Makers will work collaboratively to design and facilitate participatory activities linked to the tour’s three themes – Experiment & Enlightenment, Industry & Innovation, and Community & Craft – as well as contribute to a small touring exhibition capturing stories and creative responses from each location.

The Makory will visit 7–9 locations across the county, each with strong connections to Derbyshire’s heritage industries, innovators and material traditions. Engagement days will include a mix of school sessions, public drop-ins and community workshops, delivered in partnership with local venues and organisations. Makers will also have access to a dedicated research budget to work with Derbyshire Record Office as part of the programme.

This opportunity is ideally suited to practitioners with experience in participatory arts, social engagement, heritage craft, STEAM learning or place-based creative practice, and who are passionate about connecting communities with Derbyshire’s making heritage.

We welcome and encourage applications from ethnic minority communities.

Fee: £250 per day, plus £50 materials per day and a £250 research budget per maker
Delivery: March–May 2026 (14 engagement days), with planning and development taking place earlier in the year.

Application process: Cover letter x2 A4 sides and CV.

Email: Charlotte Convey, Head of Learning, Derby Museums - Charlotte@derbymuseums.org

Deadline: 11pm, Sun 04 Jan 2026

The full maker brief is available here.

The Makory Tour is supported by Derbyshire Makes and Derbyshire Makes History, with funding from Derbyshire County Council, Arts Council England and The National Lottery Heritage Fund.