Derbyshire Makes is a new programme of cultural events across the county – including projects produced by local communities and commissions from Derbyshire artists. It launched with the free Derbyshire Makes Festival, an annual event taking place across six distinct local Hubs – the next festival will take place from 11th April – 16th May 2026.

What is the Makory?

The Makory is Derby Museums creative engine on wheels – a mobile makerspace and mini-gallery that takes the spirit of Joseph Wright out on tour across Derbyshire.

As part of the Year of Joseph Wright (2026), the Makory will explore the ideas that shaped Wright’s world: light, curiosity, invention and creative experimentation. At each stop on the countywide tour, you’ll find hands-on activities inspired by Wright’s fascination with science, industry and human imagination.

In 2026–27, the Makory will visit communities across Derbyshire with a new programme themed around:

• Experiment & Enlightenment – try playful, light-filled activities that echo Wright’s scientific wonder
• Industry & Innovation – explore Derbyshire’s engineering and making heritage through creative experiments
• Community & Craft – discover the makers, stories and skills that connect people and place today

Led by a team of artists and makers, each Makory stop includes free workshops, creative challenges, a small touring exhibition and opportunities to contribute ideas and artefacts to the growing narrative of the tour.

The Makory brings the Museum of Making out into the world – celebrating Derbyshire’s past, present and future creativity, and inviting everyone to get curious, get hands-on and get inspired.

Hop aboard when it visits your town and become part of the Year of Wright story.

The Makory Tour is supported by Derbyshire Makes and Derbyshire Makes History, with funding from Derbyshire County Council, Arts Council England and The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Image (c) Richard Tymon

Derby Museums and Local Creative Project Launch Call for Makers for The Makory Tour 2026

Derby Museums and Local Creative Project Ltd are inviting proposals from artists, makers and creative facilitators to join the 2026 Makory Tour, a mobile makerspace that will travel across Derbyshire from March to May 2026.

The Makory Tour is part of the wider Derbyshire Makes programme and celebrates the county’s long-standing culture of invention, craftsmanship and creative experimentation. Inspired by Derbyshire innovators such as Joseph Wright, Richard Arkwright, Jedediah and William Strutt, Vivienne Westwood, Florence Nightingale, Benjamin Outram, David Mellor, the tour will offer hands-on workshops and drop-in activities for schools, families and community groups.

Derby Museums is recruiting a small team of 3 – 4 Makers in Residence to help shape and deliver the programme. Makers will work collaboratively to design and facilitate participatory activities linked to the tour’s three themes – Experiment & Enlightenment, Industry & Innovation, and Community & Craft – as well as contribute to a small touring exhibition capturing stories and creative responses from each location.

The Makory will visit 7–9 locations across the county, each with strong connections to Derbyshire’s heritage industries, innovators and material traditions. Engagement days will include a mix of school sessions, public drop-ins and community workshops, delivered in partnership with local venues and organisations. Makers will also have access to a dedicated research budget to work with Derbyshire Record Office as part of the programme.

This opportunity is ideally suited to practitioners with experience in participatory arts, social engagement, heritage craft, STEAM learning or place-based creative practice, and who are passionate about connecting communities with Derbyshire’s making heritage.

We welcome and encourage applications from ethnic minority communities.

Fee: £250 per day, plus £50 materials per day and a £250 research budget per maker.
Delivery: March–May 2026 (14 engagement days), with planning and development taking place earlier in the year.

The full artist brief, including how to apply, is available here.

The Makory Tour is supported by Derbyshire Makes and Derbyshire Makes History, with funding from Derbyshire County Council, Arts Council England and The National Lottery Heritage Fund.