Our Freedom: Then and Now is a nationwide creative initiative rooted in local voices. Marking 80 years since VE/VJ Day, the programme will inspire 60 new artistic works that explore what ‘freedom’ means to individuals and communities across the UK today.

Led by Future Arts Centres, the project brings together 60 arts centres and libraries – alongside local residents and artists – to co-create meaningful cultural experiences. These will include exhibitions, performances, and events that reflect the stories, hopes, and heritage of each place.

The journey at Alnwick Playhouse began in May 2025 with a series of community-led oral history documentaries, capturing local voices and personal reflections on the theme ‘What does freedom mean to you?’. These powerful stories will form the heart of the project, laying the groundwork for this weekend-long public takeover event in November – designed, curated, and brought to life by the community.