Light Up Poole 

The amazing thing about light art is that it’s immediately accessible and engaging to people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds. It can instantly demystify the arts (and many aspects of technology), start a discussion and take people in many directions. It’s immersive and impactful, a shared, community experience that creates terrific talking points and generates a real buzz leading to deeper engagement with creative processes and sources of inspiration.

Light Up Poole was made possible by the ambition that drives our artists and the spirit of collaboration at every level of our operation between numerous organisations and individuals who share a passionate commitment to arts innovation, to arts access for all, and to the shared community in Poole.

The 20,000+ visitors that experienced our first festival in 2018 grew to more than 40,000 in 2019 and well over 54,000 in 2020, all coming together after dark on the streets of Poole in February. We are recognised on the international map of light festivals meaning we can share our success and experiences way beyond Dorset and take work created in Poole to festivals around the world.

Light Up Poole was produced by Audacious and funded by Arts Council England, BCP Council and Poole BID. In 2020, 38 partners and sponsors collaborated to ensure that Light Up Poole could introduce accessible, innovative light art to Poole and Dorset’s cultural landscape and create a truly impactful community experience.