The Light Up the North network hosted our third Light Festival Conference. The theme for 2020 was Why Light? Funded by Arts Council England, delivered virtually over 2 days the 7 sessions included artists, academics and festival organisers, international and from the UK. The programme started with Why Light? A provocation from festival producers on why light festivals are important, followed by how they inspire communities, we got a perspective from light artists in an Artists View. The first day finished with an informal networking drinks and catch up zoom call. On the 2^nd day we started with the History of Neon and learnt about how neon art is being still created, we shared our experience of emerging artist programmes and finished with a panel of professionals from the sector discussing The Future of Light Festivals with three breakout rooms focussing on funding, producers and artists. 

With 23 speakers and 811 tickets requested for the 7 sessions the aim of the conference was to provide inspiring content that we can share with the whole sector, provoke and examine new thinking, generate new ideas for collaboration and connection. Whilst providing networking opportunities and a space and a time to re-examine our relationship with the light festivals by inspiring and offering leadership examples by providing provocation, debate and keynote challenges.