Hummers wanted!

Mid Pennine Arts and Clitheroe Castle Museum are looking for 10 women and 2 men between the age of 18 and 90+ to work with contemporary composer Ailís Ní Ríain to create a sound installation for the Castle Keep at Clitheroe Castle in Lancashire.

International prize-winning contemporary classical composer Ailís Ní Ríain has been awarded the second Contemporary Heritage commission.

Contemporary Heritage: A new way of seeing is an ambitious programme of site-responsive commissions at historic sites across Pennine Lancashire. The interventions, inspired by Pennine Lancashire’s heritage, animate each site and offer visitors a rare chance to experience major works by artists of national and international standing outside urban centres.

Ailís is particularly interested in public sound art, opera, music-theatre and presenting contemporary music in diverse spaces.


You don’t need to be musical and you won’t be asked to sing! Just think of a song which means something to you and that you know well enough to hum.

The 'Hummers' will spend an hour together with Ailís in the Pendle Hill room at Clitheroe Castle on Friday 8th April 10-11am. Over cups of tea and biscuits, she’ll talk about her work as a composer and how she creates her pieces. She’ll play examples of her music; talk about the Contemporary Heritage programme and about how she’ll be working with you.

Each 'Hummer' will spend an extra 20 minutes 1:1 with Ailís. This will be a relaxed conversation leading to you humming a tune which means something to you. You can bring along words as a prompt if you like.

The recording will be used in the sound installation. Ailís will work your part into all the other recordings and the listener will not be able to identify an individual ‘voice’ (hum).

We would be delighted if you would like to take part in this unique opportunity. If you are available on Friday 8 April between 10am – 11am and for a further 20 minutes during the day, please call or email Rebecca to book your place and your 20 minute session with Ailís. You are welcome to look around the museum for free, usual price £3.65.

Ailís will telephone all the 'Hummers' for a chat before Friday 8th April.

To book your place, or if you’d like more information or would just like to have a chat about the project, please call Rebecca on 01282 421 986 ext 207 or email rebecca@midpenninearts.org.uk  Rebecca will ask your age as we would like a wide range of ages to participate.

Contemporary Heritage is a Mid Pennine Arts partnership programme working in collaboration with Lancashire Museum Service. http://www.midpenninearts.org.uk/  http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/  

Shhh.... 'keep' it to yourself!

Our Visual Arts & Projects Officer Rebecca Alexander talks about the latest developments at Clitheroe Castle Museum....


We’re waiting until all permissions have been granted before we announce who we and Lancashire Museums Service have awarded the second Contemporary Heritage commission to. Knowing I need to keep his/her name under wraps is at the forefront of my mind while still trying to let you in on some of the developments.


The Artist Site visit day was a densely foggy day as these photos show...

The thing with Clitheroe Castle is that it never disappoints whatever the weather. It is always magnificent and the weather - shine, snow, fog, rain (the order in which I have experienced it), only steeps the place in more mystery and atmosphere. I was there yesterday with The Artist and the project team on a site visit in the drizzling rain and there were still a lot of families exploring the grounds. Good old (& young) Brits! Macs and wellies on and I’m sure there were tourists braving it too.

I can tell you that the piece will be sited in the Castle Keep and it’s going to be quite an experience. I can’t wait to tell you more!

Contemporary Heritage: a new way of seeing Towneley Hall and Park

Mid Pennine Arts and Towneley Hall partner on the first Contemporary Heritage commission

BURNLEY’s Towneley Hall and Park is gearing up for the imminent launch of Contemporary Heritage featuring the work of nationally acclaimed artist Geraldine Pilgrim.

Not Forgotten, which opens on Saturday 11th September, forms part of Contemporary Heritage, a Mid Pennine Arts partnership programme inspired by the historic venues that Pennine Lancashire is home to. Rebecca Alexander Mid Pennine Arts’ Visual Arts and Projects Officer, said: “Pennine Lancashire has a wealth of sites, from Castles to Towers, all rich with stories and history. We are working with our partner venues to commission artists to create new work in response to these stunning locations.”

“We are passionate about the cultural heritage we have in Pennine Lancashire and the opportunity Contemporary Heritage offers visitors to experience major works of art outside a city environment by artists of national and international standing.”

Not Forgotten is the latest work of artist Geraldine Pilgrim, whose installations reveal memories and atmospheres, as well as the history of the space. It is something of a coup for Pennine Lancashire that the first commission of this flagship project has been awarded to Geraldine Pilgrim, a highly acclaimed artist whose previous work has been commissioned by organisations as varied as Girl Guides UK, English Heritage, The National Review of Live Art Festival, The National Trust and Liverpool’s Bluecoat Gallery.

The Not Forgotten installation, commissioned for Towneley Hall and Park, has been inspired by a distinctive portrait of John and Mary Towneley and their seven sons and seven daughters. The work will enable people to experience Towneley in new ways and will cast light on elements of the history of the location that present a compelling meditation on memory and loss.

Mid Pennine Arts have been working with Mike Townend, Towneley’s Senior Curator to develop the programme. Mike said: “We’re looking at new ways of using our collections – so to have provided the inspiration for a nationally recognised contemporary artist is fantastic. We really hope this will engage people and take contemporary art to a new audience.”

“People will begin to see Towneley in new ways - with installations in both the grounds and the Hall. You can stand in a window at Towneley and look out at the installation in the landscape and it gives the place a different perspective. We call it ‘Looking in: looking out’. “

Mid Pennine Arts Creative Director Nick Hunt, said: “Towneley are great partners and we are really excited that Contemporary Heritage is set to launch at Towneley. It’s a really fitting location for Geraldine Pilgrim’s installations and I’m sure Not Forgotten will prove to be extremely engaging and memorable.”

He added: “This marks the latest step for Mid Pennine Arts’ ambitions to see Pennine Lancashire become an arts, culture and heritage destination. Mid Pennine Arts bring art, people and places together to transform perceptions and change lives.”

If you require further information, images or would like to interview Geraldine Pilgrim, Artist, Nick Hunt, Creative Director and Rebecca Alexander, Visual Arts and Projects Officer from Mid Pennine Arts and - please call Rob Carder from Mid Pennine Arts on 01282 421 986 or email Rob@midpenninearts.org.uk

Further Contemporary Heritage installations are being developed with our Lancashire County Council and our partner venues, Clitheroe Castle Museum, Gawthorpe Hall, Helmshore Mills Textile Museum and Turton Tower.

About Mid Pennine Arts

Mid Pennine Arts is a driving force for the arts, recognised nationally for devising and delivering exemplary integrated creative programmes. We bring art, people and places together to transform perceptions and change lives. The vast experience of our team ensures excellence across a range of arts disciplines and responds to identified needs. Our work with private, public or community sector clients inspires participants, unlocks aspiration and reignites civic pride.

We are an independent charity. We’re based in Pennine Lancashire but our work and influence extends way beyond into county –wide projects and into West Yorkshire. Our work has achieved national and international recognition. Our most successful work is developed through partnerships, networks and creative collaborations. Our work is people-centred and people-friendly - it celebrates diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. We embody a spirit of discovery, and integrate creative learning into all our projects. We strive for the best possible creative results, and the most ambitious impacts. We’re always aiming to break new ground in the content, the context and the outcomes of our work.