By Aimee Gomez, Community Producer 

The arts community in Central Bedfordshire is set to benefit from an exciting new project—IGNITE. Led by the acclaimed Tangled Feet Theatre Ensemble, IGNITE is a mentoring and career development initiative designed to support emerging artists. This unique program not only provides guidance and collaboration opportunities but also ensures that participants are financially supported for their time and contributions.

What is IGNITE?

IGNITE is a comprehensive program aimed at nurturing local talent by bringing together a vibrant and diverse community of artists. Through four dedicated workshops, individual mentoring, and paid creative development time, participants will gain invaluable skills and experiences that will help them build a sustainable artistic career.

This initiative is made possible through funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Central Bedfordshire Council, with management support from the Bedfordshire and Luton Community Foundation.

Meet the Participants

We are thrilled to introduce the talented group of artists selected for the IGNITE program:

• Aaron Spenelow

• Vikki Neill

• Charlotte Reed

• Carmen Carreira

• Emily Davis

• Jasmine Staunton

• Clara Westmorland

• Kelly Horne

• Steph Kitchiner

Each of these artists brings their own unique creative voice, and we can’t wait to see how they grow and collaborate throughout the program. More details about their individual practices will be shared on our social media channels soon so stay tuned!

The First Workshop

The journey officially began with our first IGNITE workshop, a dynamic session that laid the groundwork for the year ahead. This initial gathering allowed participants to connect, share their artistic aspirations and engage in creative exercises facilitated by the Tangled Feet team. The workshop focused on exploring personal artistic identities, goal-setting, and fostering a supportive community among the participants.

The energy in the room was inspiring and full of potential, setting the stage for an exciting year of learning, collaboration, and professional growth.

Follow the Journey

As IGNITE progresses, we’ll be sharing insights, updates, and behind-the-scenes moments from the workshops and participants' creative journeys. Be sure to follow us on social media for the latest news and to celebrate the achievements of these incredible emerging artists.

This is just the beginning, and we can’t wait to see what’s next for the IGNITE cohort!