The UK Centre for Carnival Arts - Luton and Bedford

The UK Centre for Carnival Arts (UKCCA) opened in Luton, home of Europe's biggest one day carnival, in 2009. It is a national centre of excellence for the unique art form, pioneering accredited training for the carnival community, working with its international artists and providing incubation space for its business start-ups.

Working with the world's leading carnival artists, UKCCA continues to build on its education programme to offer a range of informal and formal learning opportunities for all ages and backgrounds. In September 2010 the centre will launch the first Foundation Degree in Carnival Arts, in partnership with the University of Bedfordshire.

The three year, part-time course focuses on design and making in carnival arts, and students will benefit from teaching and lecturing from visiting carnival professionals.

2010 is an exciting year for UKCCA as it works closely with Luton Cultural Services Trust and Luton Borough Council on the transition for UKCCA taking over the running of Luton International Carnival by 2012, a one day event that generates £3m of spending and attracts 150,000 carnival spectators. UKCCA aims to use this expertise to work with other carnivals in the UK to help them realise funding and economic stability.
The UKCCA is excited to be delivering Creative Partnerships and exploring the key values of community, celebration and change, which are common to both the programme and carnival. We are currently working with 32 schools in Luton and Bedford on both the Enquiry and Change School programmes.