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Light House from Wolverhampton - partner in the project Regional partnership in intercultural exchange
www.light-house.co.uk
Background of the Light House
Light House was set up in 1986 as a partnership between the University of Wolverhampton and the local council. Initially, with a base in Wolverhampton Art Gallery, after two years it had developed a sufficient profile to become the anchor organisation in the development of the historic Chubb Buildings.
Aims
Light House aims to increase the enjoyment and understanding of technologically-based media, in particular, film, video photography and creative media and to emphasise their importance to the cultural and economic life of Wolverhampton, the West Midlands region and further afield.
Working method
Collaborative and participatory
Activities
In order to fulfil these aims, Light House has put on a range of related activities which may be summarised as:
- A continuum from educational work, training, talent development to sustained support for businesses in the creative industries.
- Underpinned by social and cultural activities, including cinema, exhibitions, festivals, events and special projects.
Light House is therefore unique in the region providing services in each of the main components of the screen media and exhibition sectors, enabling it to play an increasingly important part in the regeneration of the City and the region.
Facilities
These include: a purpose-built two screen cinema equipped with state-of-the art digital projection; three exhibition galleries, specialising in photography and digital media; technical and training areas; a media reference library; Lock Works café/bar; a glass covered courtyard.
Some main projects
BE-ME (Black and Ethnic Minority Experience) 1998 - present
A moving-image archive of migration to Wolverhampton post World War ll, available as a data-base driven website www.be-me.org
The Deaf Film and TV Festival (Deaffest) 1997 – present
The major Deaf-led media festival in the UK; one of only 7 festivals to be awarded money from the UK Film Council’s Festivals Fund. www.deaffest.co.uk
Flip (animation festival) 2004 – present
Starting out as a regional showcase, a rapidly-expanding international profile now attracts entries from over 26 countries. www.flipfestival.co.uk
Plot (Wolverhamton Creative Media Industries Cluster project) 2001-2008
An industry support programme that created over 120 new jobs, generated 3.9million EUR of turnover and attracted 2.21 million EUR of EU funding to the city. http://www.light-house.co.uk/page.php?page=plot
High Definition Centre 2008 - present
Major investment by the regional development agency has established a production capability that complements the high definition cinema facility.
Creative Metropoles 2009 – present
An exchange project supported by the EU linking 12 European cities.
Media skills training programme 1987 – present
Providing the region’s workforce with the experience and expertise needed in the changing world of audio-visual communications.
Light House’s mission is to improve the social, cultural and economic life of Wolverhampton and the region. In this we are mindful of the global links that have shaped the city (in which there are over 80 individual languages used) and the need to value and celebrate difference while recognising the inter-dependence of nation-states.
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