Makers World
MakerWorld is a distinctive and highly impactful community arts space in Huddersfield, in partnership with The Children’s Art School. Conceived in 2020 as part of an innovative partnership to utilise vacant town centre retail spaces for creative purposes, MakerWorld offers free, drop-in sessions designed to provide extraordinary creative encounters for children, young people, and families. The initiative is a testament to the town’s commitment to cultural regeneration, actively working to breathe new life into urban areas and making art education visible and accessible to all residents, regardless of background or financial means.
The core of MakerWorld’s mission is to foster an inclusive and diverse community through hands-on creative activities. The free sessions, which take place weekly and extend during school holidays, offer a wide range of activities including making, painting, drawing, singing, and drumming. These programs are led by local artists and are crucial for providing an affordable and safe space for family engagement, with many visitors indicating that MakerWorld is a primary reason they visit the town centre. Its success is measured not just in attendance, but in its social impact, reaching diverse families who may rarely participate in creative activities outside of the sessions, and contributing positively to the well-being and confidence of attendees.
Beyond its artistic and social contributions, MakerWorld plays a significant role in the economic and cultural regeneration of Huddersfield. It operates within the context of the Creative Piazza network, an initiative supported by Kirklees Council and the University of Huddersfield to transform the town centre’s retail heart into a cultural hub. The project has demonstrated the long-term potential of culture in urban revitalisation, transforming an empty shop unit into a vibrant, energetic, and inviting space. However, as regeneration plans progress, MakerWorld has faced the challenge of securing a new, accessible home, highlighting the community’s urgent need to preserve this vital resource for Huddersfield’s families.
