Future Arts Centres announces Cluster Coordinators for Our Freedom: Then and Now
Future Arts Centres, in partnership with Libraries Connected, has announced the appointment of six Cluster Coordinators who will play a vital role in supporting Our Freedom: Then and Now, a landmark national programme of creative community projects marking the 80th anniversaries of VE Day and VJ Day.
Supported by the UK Government through Arts Council England, the initiative will see 60 arts centres and libraries across the UK collaborating with their local communities to co-create events, performances, exhibitions, and installations exploring the theme of freedom, both in the historical context of 1945 and in contemporary society.
The six Cluster Coordinators, seconded from their home organisations within the Future Arts Centres network for the equivalent of one day per week, will each oversee a group of ten projects, working closely with their project leads to ensure strong community engagement and high-quality public-facing outcomes.
The newly appointed Cluster Coordinators are:
- Amanda Gould – Queen’s Hall, Hexham
- Annabel Wheeden – Cast, Doncaster
- Helen Johnston – Kirkgate Arts and Heritage, Cockermouth
- Jen Farmer – Trinity Arts, Bristol
- Laura Yates – The Bluecoat, Liverpool
- Millie Bottomley – Storyhouse, Chester
“It’s a real honour to be part of something that is not just about history, but about lived experience and community voices today,” said Jen Farmer. “This programme invites us all to reflect on what freedom means in our own towns and cities, and that’s a powerful creative starting point.”
Millie Bottomley echoed the sentiment: “There’s something deeply resonant about marking a national moment through local collaboration. These projects are rooted in people’s everyday lives, and I’m excited to help them grow.”
“Being a Cluster Coordinator is an amazing opportunity to support colleagues across the UK, while also developing my own leadership skills in a supportive, creative environment,” added Amanda Gould.
Annabel Turpin and Gavin Barlow, Co-Directors of Future Arts Centres, emphasised the importance of the Cluster Coordinators: “This is about shared ownership, with locally rooted and nationally connected storytelling. The skills and experience of these six Coordinators will be central to maintaining the programme’s commitment to both the community-led focus and creative integrity of the projects.”
You can follow the development of the 60 projects that make up Our Freedom: Then and Now on our website, and across our social media platforms throughout the duration of the programme.