An immersive experience featuring light projections on landmark Burton upon Trent buildings is set to return after almost £100,000 was secured for a new cultural programme in East Staffordshire.
East Staffordshire Borough Council has secured £99,570 from Arts Council England for activities across 2026 and 2027.
Full details of the cultural programme have not yet been revealed, but the council said it will include the return of Canvas of Light, which attracted 10,000 to Burton’s town centre last year.
The event, by award-winning light art collective Luxmuralis in partnership with the borough council, saw projections on St Modwen’s Church and the historic Bass Water Tower, as well as an illuminated trail of light and colour through the Memorial Gardens.
The funding will also support the delivery of key actions within the council’s new Culture, the Heartbeat of our Communities: Cultural and Events Strategy, which was approved by cabinet earlier this year.
The announcement follows a busy period for culture in the borough. The first Burton Cultural Celebration ran earlier this month, and Sonic Boom Festival is set to return for a third year on 12 September.
Councillor Paul Walker, cabinet member for tourism and cultural development, said:
“I’m delighted that we have secured this significant funding from Arts Council England. It gives us an important opportunity to build on the momentum we have already created and continue developing a strong and ambitious cultural programme for East Staffordshire.
“We have seen through events such as Sonic Boom Festival and Canvas of Light the impact culture can have – attracting thousands of people into our town centres, supporting local businesses and creating opportunities for communities to come together.
“This investment will help us continue that work and bring even more cultural activity to residents and visitors over the next two years.”
The council said further details of the 2026 and 2027 cultural programme will be announced in due course.
