Call out for Community Steering Group: Open Eye Hub Wigan & Leigh

Deadline: Monday 14 September, 5pm

Open Eye Hub Wigan and Leigh exists to get more people in the Borough to get involved with photography; this includes professionals looking for support in their careers, hobbyists who want to enjoy the magic of taking and sharing pictures, and people with very little experience who just want to get creative or try something new. We run talks, workshops, professional development events and creative projects all designed to support the development of photography locally.

We’re looking for photographers, artists, creatives, enthusiasts and people passionate about photography to establish a Community Steering Group to help make sure the Hub is the best it can be and reflects the needs, ambitions and ideas of local people.

What is the Steering Group?

The Steering Group will bring together people with different perspectives and experiences to create a space for discussion, sharing your ideas and informing decision-making.

We are looking for a mix of people who can:

Advocate

• Spread the word about the Hub
• Connect new people into photography and creative opportunities
• Champion the local photography community

Advise

• Share their experience and insights
• Help identify what photographers and creatives need
• Bring different perspectives and lived experiences

Advance

• Help shape the longer term vision for the Hub
• Be part of coming up with ideas for new projects and opportunities 

You don’t need to fit neatly into one category. We’re interested in hearing from anyone who wants to contribute.

What will the group do?

Initially the group will focus on:

• shaping the programme: helping plan events, workshops, talks, exhibitions and networking opportunities at the Hub. We want to know what you want to see in your local photography hub!
• supporting photography in Wigan Borough: discussing what’s happening in photography right now and how the Hub can support local creatives through things like opportunities sharing, community building and signposting to training and support.

Who is it for?

We’re open to hearing from a range of people with an interest in photography and creativity.

You might be:

• Completely new to photography
• A hobbyist looking to connect with others
• A recent graduate
• An emerging photographer
• A mid-career creative looking for new opportunities
• An established practitioner wanting to support others
• Someone interested in community and culture, even if photography isn’t your profession

We welcome a range of experiences and viewpoints!

What’s the commitment?

We’re looking to meet four times between July 2026 and June 2027, and we are ideally looking for people who will be able to attend all the meetings in person. The first meeting is on Thursday 1 October 4 to 6pm at Open Eye Hub space (Leigh Town Hall). On the day, we’ll talk about timings and days for future meetings, to try and find a pattern that works for as many people as possible.

Why get involved?

We hope this will be an opportunity to:

• Bring your voice to the development of the Open Eye Hub
• Be part of shaping local photography opportunities
• Meet other photographers and creatives
• Build connections and networks
• Play a role in creating a lasting photography community in Wigan Borough
• Help the Hub to evolve in ways that are useful, relevant and exciting for local people

Want to find out more?

We’re currently inviting expressions of interest (see below).

We are also hosting an informal ‘coffee morning’ at Open Eye Hub on Thursday 3 September, 11.30am to 1.30pm – where you can meet the team, see our space, find out about Open Eye Hub and chat to us about the Community Steering Group.  You’re welcome to come along any time, but please drop a quick line to lucy@openeye.org.uk to let us know you’ll be coming so we can make sure we have enough biscuits!

Expressions of interest

If this sounds like it’s for you, we’d love to hear from you.  After we’ve received expressions of interest, we’ll select some people who we think would be a good fit and invite you to join us for the first meeting – with no obligation, so you can come to the first one to make sure it’s right for you, and then let us know if you’d be happy to carry on.

To make an expression of interest, please send us answers to the following:

1. Your full name
2. Your email address and phone number 
3. Where you live, or your connection to the Borough
4. Your pronouns 
5. Tell us a bit about yourself and your background 
6. Why you are interested in joining the Community Steering Group and what think you might bring to it
7. A bit about your connection to/ interest in photography and the activities of Open Eye Hub
8. Do you have any access needs, or is there any support you would need from us, to take part?

You can write your answers, or record a video or audio if you would prefer. 

There is no word count on the questions – we think around 200 words (or 2 mins for video/audio) each should cover it, but feel free to write as much or as little as you’d like. 

Please send us your expression of interest by 5pm on Monday 14 September.

Email your answers to lucy@openeye.org.uk – if you are sending video/audio please upload these to a website (youtube, soundcloud, google drive, vimeo etc) and send us a link and the password if one is needed.

Timeline

3 September: Coffee morning at Open Eye Hub 

14 September: Deadline for expressions of interest

22 September: We’ll get in touch to let you know if we’re inviting you to join us at the first meeting

1 October, 4pm – 6pm : first meeting at Open Eye Hub