Innovative and inclusive music and arts in Cumbria and NE

Who We Are

Founded in 2002, BlueJam is an innovative community music and arts organisation which runs a full programme of inclusive creative workshops, training, and professional and community performance activities and events. Co-directed by Jilly Jarman and Sara Barnard, we initiate and collaborate on music, film, visual arts, performance and recording, which we deliver through sessions at our Community Arts Space in central Penrith.

In 2023 we became BlueJam Arts CIC

Our Company Aims

BlueJam promotes the creation, performance and sharing of new music and new ways of making music in an accessible, multi media environment.

Our stated aims in our Memorandum are: to promote and advance involvement, participation and access to the arts and in particular music and to formulate and establish schemes and projects to use the arts within the community to encourage social inclusion and community cohesion primarily in Cumbria.

Our Team in 2024

Jilly Jarman & Sara Barnard – Co-Creative Directors

Jessica Boatright – Administrator & Coordinator

Sarah Gray – BlueJam Arts NE

Creative Delivery:

Josh Jackson – BJamba, recording, drumming tuition
Asha Nicholson – Composition & recording – Create Jam
Richard Evans – Band workshops – Saturday Music Club
Claudi Hayward – Painting Club, Penrith Welcomes Diversity outreach
Steve Burke – Gamelan & percussion
Bryony Jarman-Pinto – film & animation; online vocal resources
Geoff Bartholomew – Jazz
Jilly Jarman – Street Beats, Singers, Painting, Jam Clubs, jazz/improvised/electronic programme
Sara Barnard – BabyJam, MiniJam, Family Jams, folk programme

Volunteers:

Mee-kuon – garden and caretaking
Jo Halloran – BJamba
Iain Campbell – maintenance & electricity
Doug Hawkins – maintenance & tech
Ruby Eden – media

Non-executive Directors: 2024

Jo Halloran
Bryony Jarman-Pinto
Sarah Gray
Doug Hawkins
Claudi Hayward

Jilly Jarman – Company Secretary