The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) and Preston City Council (PCC) have been working in partnership to bring culture to the streets of Preston as part of Lancashire Encounter Festival.

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The cultural strategic partnership between the two institutions has seen Preston City Centre transformed into a cultural hub in recent weeks with an exciting programme of contemporary and community arts from across the county.

Developing and promoting artistic talent and presenting diverse artwork to audiences across Lancashire has been key to the success of the collaborative partnership and to retaining talent in the North West.

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New artistic commissions included work by former UCLan students. Death by Pie performed ‘Harriet, Harry and the Pirates’, cinematic electronica act Dirty Freud presented an audio-visual performance at The Met and Preston-based About Time Dance Company who explore heritage through dance told the astounding story of the Preston based Dick Kerr Ladies football team.

Dee of Dirty Freud saidd: “Lancashire Encounter is an incredible festival which brings together a host of different audiences.

“It was absolutely fantastic to be back in Preston and to see how the partnerships are blooming with UCLan. Can’t wait to see more to follow.”

Lancashire Encounter also teamed up with Derelict: Art of the City run by UCLan lecturer Chris Gilligan, and hosted a Community Wealth performance of Life Class run by Sara Giddens who is also a lecturer at the university.

In 2020 during lockdown, Encounter also hosted three students from UCLan’s Acting degree course giving each individual the opportunity to learn how a festival is produced, improve skills and knowledge relevant to their subject and to benefit from links with industry.

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Jane Anthony, Executive Dean for the Faculty of Culture and Creative Industries at UCLan said: “Lancashire Encounter encapsulates all that is good about UCLan’s cultural partnership with PCC.

“Our students appear within it as artists and they are invited to it as members of the audience. In both respects, the cultural ethos of Preston and the University prevails.

“It also ensures that we are supporting and nurturing our creative talent and providing pathways for education, innovation and employment. It was particularly lovely to see so many of our alumni featuring in the programme this year.”

The festival closed on Saturday 2 October with a host of events throughout the day, including a mesmerising Covid Thank You torchlight parade hosted by the Mayor of Preston and a spectacular firework display.

Lancashire Encounter will return in 2022 and run from Friday 16 to Sunday 18 September.

Read more: See the latest Preston news and headlines

Did you head to the festival this year? Let us know in the comments below.