TWO hundred artists from across the country arrive in Bradford tomorrow as the city hosts a major arts conference.

The former Marks & Spencer building, recently transformed into an arts hub, hosts The Independent Street Arts Network for its annual Ideas Summit.

The two day event will bring the UK’s outdoor arts industry together, and showcase the city as an arts hub.

And there will be street art events in Darley Street on Saturday from 2pm as part of the programme.

Artists will present work and ideas, pitching to potential commissioners. Delegates include the events programmers, producers and festival bookers.

Arts organisation The Brick Box, which relocated to Bradford from London this summer invited ISAN to hold the event in the city.

The group has set up a ‘Wild Wood’ in the building, and have hosted a number of evening events there.

Brick Box Director, Eleanor Barrett, said: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to promote Bradford’s reputation as a producer city at the ISAN event by shining a spotlight on the city’s strengths and assets.

“Working in partnership with Bradford Council, local businesses, arts organisations and other key stakeholders across the city our strategy is to promote investment and business growth in the arts and cultural industries that will drive future economic growth across all sectors.”

The conference includes a talk by Jeni Barnard from street art group Acrojou, who have wowed crowds at Bradford Festival and this year’s Shipley Street Arts Festival.

In the UK, the creative industries are worth an estimated £10 million per hour to the economy.

Angus MacKechnie, Executive Director of ISAN, said: “We have over thirty companies from across the UK descending on the Wild Woods to share their exciting plans, embryonic ideas and brand new shows with over eighty producers, programmers and festival bookers.

“It’s hugely appropriate that the outdoor artists are pitching in an outdoor, but indoor, environment.

Kersten England, Chief Executive of Bradford Council, will speak at the event and said: “We have an extraordinarily creative and enterprising city here and I’m delighted that the Independent Street Arts Network has chosen Bradford for its 2016 Ideas Summit. Hosting the Summit is another opportunity to showcase Bradford’s strengths and demonstrate that this is a fantastic place to have ideas and make things happen.”