AN arts charity with major expansion plans is seeking new staff members who will be central to its growth.

Keighley Creative, based at the former Sunwin House building in Hanover Street, is recruiting two people to oversee its annual festival and programme of events.

The organisation aims to build on the success of last year’s Keighley Arts and Film Festival – with a wider range of events, workshops, exhibitions and performances over a weekend in October – as well as staging related activities throughout this year and beyond.

Keighley Creative is looking for a festival and events director and a co-ordinator.

They will plan, deliver and evaluate the festival and other arts and cultural activities, in partnership with fellow organisations.

Two years' funding has been secured for the posts, with the possibility of a two-year extension.

Trustee Jan Smithies says: "We want Keighley Creative to be at the heart of arts, creativity and culture in Keighley and make a measurable contribution to the town’s regeneration.

"We need two key people to help us in this quest – to organise the annual Arts and Film Festival but also to bring their expertise and imagination to our organisation, to help deliver a series of events for the town’s diverse communities to experience the many varied artistic opportunities the creative people of this area can deliver.

"We’ve secured funding from the Government’s Towns Fund and other sources and have big plans to expand, including the purchase of our own building. It’s an exciting time for the evolution of our charity and the new appointments will have a central role in our development."

Ms Smithies added: "Keighley – along with many northern towns – has suffered during the pandemic, but we believe establishing a vibrant creative hub and taking the arts out into the community will give a real lift to the town centre and surrounding areas.

"We want to make Keighley known locally, throughout the district and nationally for its artistic and cultural reputation."

Details of the new posts and how to apply can be obtained by emailing fiona.sherburn@btinternet.com.

The closing date for applications is February 28. Shortlisted candidates will be notified by March 2 and interviews will be held on March 7.

Keighley Creative operates a multi-functional arts hub at its Hanover Street base.

It also runs educational events for schools and the public and hosts a dementia-friendly art and story group.