Our Freedom Then and Now was an ambitious and heartfelt community arts project led by Alnwick Playhouse in partnership with My Life Productions. Created to mark 80 years since liberation at the end of the Second World War, the project brought together storytelling, music, visual art, live performance, and shared cultural traditions in a vibrant, … Continued
An Tobar and Mull Theatre marked Our Freedom with a powerful, island-wide creative project that brought together community voices, young composers, and local history. Through film, storytelling, and sound, they created a living portrait of Mull during wartime and explored how memories of VE Day continue to resonate across generations. A Living Archive of Mull’s … Continued
Our Freedom: Stockton Rising was a powerful live event reflecting on what freedom means to the people of Stockton, 80 years after the end of the Second World War. Taking place on Remembrance Day, the event brought together original work co-created by local participants from ARC’s regular creative engagement classes, refugees and asylum seekers who now … Continued
ARK marked both Fun Palaces and the culmination of Our Freedom: Then and Now with a vibrant re‑opening weekend filled with free events and performances for all ages. Across three days, the cultural space welcomed visitors to explore creativity, community and the many interpretations of freedom. The celebrations opened on Friday 3 October with the … Continued
Am I Free Yet? What is freedom? A dream, an illusion, a shifting state of mind? Does yours come at the cost of mine? Will we ever truly be free? Am I Free Yet? was a theatre production and photography exhibition created by the Hidden Spire Collective, a participatory art group based at the Old … Continued
Arts Centre Washington – Unbound: Our Freedom Unbound: Our Freedom Cabaret was a bold and evocative exploration of what freedom meant to different people – personally, politically, emotionally, and collectively. Presented at Arts Centre Washington, the project brought together storytelling, music, theatre, film, soundscape and visual art in an unforgettable evening that many audience members … Continued
artsdepot marked Our Freedom with To Us It Means, a community‑led exhibition created with people from Burnt Oak and the surrounding areas. Rooted in personal stories, shared histories and lived experience, the project invited local residents to reflect on what freedom means – looking back to the past, grounding themselves in the present, and imagining … Continued
Voices of Freedom, a multi-sensory immersive exhibition in Maesteg Town Hall, was a space to reflect and remember the sacrifices of our Armed Forces, past and present. Many visitors described it as “peaceful and beautiful” and “deeply moving”, with several noting how it brought back personal memories of loved ones who had served. Ahead of the exhibition, the project’s associated artist, craftivist Nazeem Syed, led six creative lantern-making … Continued
Barnsley Civic’s project explored the theme of Freedom from Want, a concept first coined by Franklin D. Roosevelt which emphasises the importance of ensuring that everyone has access to basic needs such as food, shelter and education. The project used this idea as a starting point to reflect on how communities can work together to … Continued
Situated in an area heavily affected by the Barrow Blitz – and with a basement that once served as an air‑raid shelter – Barrow Library holds an important place in local history. Today, as a Library of Sanctuary, it continues to be a safe and welcoming space where people can express themselves and where creativity … Continued
Freedom has always been central to the story of Bracknell – from its beginnings as a New Town in 1949 to the opportunities it continues to offer today. As part of the Our Freedom: Then and Now project, Bracknell Forest Libraries explored the theme of freedom through the iconic trees of the borough, using them … Continued
The Jason Roberts Foundation (JRF) supported the delivery of four community events in collaboration with Brent Libraries, Culture and Heritage as part of the Our Freedom: Then and Now project. These events were made possible through collaborative community funding following a UK Government grant awarded via Arts Council England. JRF’s role centred on community engagement, coordination and … Continued
Brewhouse Arts Centre marked Our Freedom: Then and Now with a celebration event featuring a specially commissioned poem by Staffordshire Poet Laureate Scarlett Ward and the unveiling of a new installation by artist Jennifer Collier. The evening brought together local audiences to reflect on the project’s themes and to experience newly created work inspired by … Continued
From and To An evolving exhibition about creativity and freedom by artist Laura Eldret, created in collaboration with the communities of Bridport and West Dorset. From and To was conceived as both an exhibition about creative freedoms and a space in which those freedoms could be explored collectively. At its centre was Laura Eldret’s large‑scale … Continued
As part of Our Freedom: Then and Now, delivered in partnership with Future Arts Centres, Cast brought together communities across Doncaster to explore what freedom means across generations, experiences and backgrounds. Over several months, the project connected young people, older residents and community groups through poetry, performance, music and visual art. Creating Together Cast worked … Continued
Chapter Arts became a hub for Deaf creativity and community connection during Our Freedom, hosting events that celebrated artistic expression, accessibility, and the power of shared stories. Their programme brought together Deaf artists, local audiences, and families to explore freedom through poetry, performance, and hands‑on making. Celebrating Deaf Voices Through Poetry Chapter welcomed Maggie Hampton, … Continued
Clydebank Library marked Our Freedom: Then and Now with a programme exploring local history, cultural memory and the many interpretations of freedom shaped by the Second World War. The programme opened with Against the Croak for Doom: Hamish Henderson’s Vision of Freedom, a talk by Corey Gibson, lecturer in 20th‑century Scottish Literature at the University … Continued
On a warm August bank holiday packed with creativity, colour, and culture, more than 100 people gathered to celebrate Colchester City’s diversity at The Freedom Road Street Party at Colchester Arts Centre. Trestle tables lined the road outside the arts venue, housed in a converted church overlooking the remains of the Roman city walls. Guests … Continued
Derbyshire Libraries marked Our Freedom: Then and Now with a series of creative events and exhibitions across the county, each shaped by local voices and inspired by reflections on the Second World War and the meaning of freedom today. The programme began at Belper Library with the launch of an exhibition featuring artwork created through … Continued
Eastern Angles marked Our Freedom: Then and Now with a pair of creative projects rooted in the heritage of Ipswich’s Westgate Ward and shaped by the voices of local residents. The first, Oh, What a Wonderful Westgate, was a community sound collage inspired by the neighbourhood surrounding the Eastern Angles Centre. Created using words contributed … Continued
Cinema Against Fascism was a three‑month season of films and community‑led events presented primarily at Eden Court, Scotland’s largest multi‑arts venue, running from September to November 2025. The project explored what freedom means in an age of rising authoritarianism, celebrating resistance movements and communities around the world that continue to fight for justice, equality and … Continued
Farnham Maltings marked Our Freedom: Then and Now with The Freedom Line, a collaborative promenade artwork created with communities across Farnham and Aldershot. Rooted in remembrance and reflection, the project invited people to consider what freedom means 80 years after the end of the Second World War, and what it means to us now, in … Continued
80 years ago, Gosforth Central Hall was opened as a place for all the community to gather. It was built as a memorial to “remember the brave people of our town, who gave their lives whilst serving in Her Majesties Forces and the Merchant Navy in the 1939–1945 war”. It has grown and moved since … Continued
Hartlepool Remembers: 80 Years of Freedom – Family Fun Day The programme began with a family‑friendly event offering creative activities inspired by the theme of freedom. Visitors were invited to take part in crafts, games, and hands‑on making, all designed to spark conversations about remembrance and the legacy of peace. The session welcomed people of … Continued
Our Freedom: Then and Now was a creative, intergenerational project exploring what freedom means eighty years after the liberation of Europe. Delivered at JW3 as part of a national initiative led by Future Arts Centres, the project brought together 20 young Jewish adults aged approximately 20–35 to reflect on inherited memory, identity, and responsibility through … Continued
Kirkgate Arts and Heritage commissioned two local artists, storyteller Jessie McMeekin and musician JP Worsfold, to create a community musical inspired by stories from Cockermouth at the end of the Second World War and in the post‑war period, alongside reflections from people in the town today on what freedom means to them. During the summer … Continued
On Sunday 19 October 2025 Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield held a free event – Our Freedom – to explore the legacy of VE Day, and what freedom means to us now in 2025. The event was a culmination of their involvement in Our Freedom: Then and Now, a national creative programme marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. Choosing to look at … Continued
Threads of Freedom is a Leeds Libraries project created as part of the national initiative Our Freedom: Then and Now, delivered by Future Arts Centres and supported by the UK Government through Arts Council England. The programme invited people across Leeds to explore one powerful question: What does freedom mean to us today, 80 years … Continued
Rooted in Matlock’s extraordinary wartime history – from the School of Military Intelligence to the ‘Matlock Secret Army’ – LEVEL Centre’s contribution to Our Freedom: Then and Now invited local people, learning‑disabled communities, families and visitors to explore the idea of ‘secret freedoms’ through celebration, creativity and shared discovery. SMEDfest The programme began with SMEDfest, … Continued
Libraries Unlimited – Barnstaple Library, Newton Abbot Library and Exeter Library From June to November 2026, Libraries Unlimited delivered Our Freedom: Then and Now across Barnstaple Library, Newton Abbot Library and Exeter Library, working with local artist Athena Jane Churchill and a wide range of community partners to explore what freedom means today. Activity engaged … Continued
At Lighthouse, Poole, Our Freedom unfolded through a rich series of creative workshops that invited people of all ages to explore freedom through writing, sound, and hands‑on making. Working with local artists and community partners, Lighthouse created welcoming spaces where participants could reflect, experiment, and express their own ideas. Our Freedom: Then and Now – … Continued
For Our Freedom: Then and Now, Lincolnshire’s communities were connected with the diverse stories of the bombing war, drawing on the International Bomber Command Centre’s 40,000‑item digital archive hosted by the University of Lincoln. Led by Lincoln Arts Centre, the project brought together RAF bases, schools, volunteers, students, and local residents to explore historical and … Continued
Over the summer of 2025, Community Engagement Manager Claire Beattie from The Maltings worked with the Community Crew, a group from Berwick Youth Project, to explore ideas of freedom and what it meant to them growing up in Berwick in 2025. The Community Crew meet every Wednesday after school, as well as for longer sessions … Continued
Our Freedom: Then and Now is a Newham Libraries programme exploring the intertwined histories of South Asian heritage, the Second World War, and contemporary expressions of identity, resilience, and community. Developed as part of the borough’s wider commemorations marking 80 years since the end of the war, the project brings together artists, historians, young people, older … Continued
Great Yarmouth Library hosted Our Freedom, Our Place, a lively two‑day programme celebrating both the town’s first year in its new library building and its contribution to Our Freedom: Then and Now. The events were delivered in partnership with the American Library team and Reel Connections CIC, bringing together local heritage, music, film and hands‑on … Continued
North Lanarkshire Libraries delivered a rich programme for Our Freedom: Then and Now, inviting local residents to explore the legacy of 1945 and reflect on what freedom means today. Through creative writing and visual art workshops led by local artists, the libraries created welcoming spaces for people of all ages to share memories, respond to … Continued
North Tyneside Libraries marked Our Freedom: Then and Now with River to Freedom, a warm and community‑led project celebrating local voices, creativity and the many ways people understand freedom today. Developed in collaboration with artist Amy Langdown, the project brought together community groups from Battle Hill, Wallsend and North Shields Libraries to create a shared … Continued
Our Freedom: Then and Now was a UK‑wide, locally led arts and creative programme that produced new work reflecting on what ‘Our Freedom’ meant to local people and their communities, following the 80th anniversary of VE/VJ Day in 2025. Queen’s Hall Arts worked with the community linked to RAF Spadeadam, a military base on the … Continued
Bramble Woods became the setting for ATTENTION!, an evocative evening of music, light and shared experience created as part of Our Freedom: Then and Now. As dusk fell, visitors were welcomed into the woodland by fire pits and lanterns crafted in a community workshop, transforming the space into a warm, glowing environment for gathering and … Continued
Scunthorpe Central Library and 20-21 Visual Arts Centre marked Our Freedom with a programme that invited local people to explore the town’s wartime history and reflect on how ideas of freedom have changed over the past 80 years. Through film, hands‑on activities and a community exhibition, they created opportunities for residents of all ages to … Continued
As part of Our Freedom: Then and Now, Knowle resident poet Emily Holtom spent several weeks visiting locations across Knowle to create spontaneous, personalised poems in response to residents’ reflections on what freedom means to them. Emily appeared at a series of pop‑up sessions throughout September and October, meeting people at Knowle Heritage Day, Knowle … Continued
The Our Freedom: Then & Now exhibition at The McKechnie Institute in Girvan showcased a brand‑new piece of music created by Primary 6–7 pupils from Sacred Heart Primary School. Working with writer Simon Lamb and singer Davie Hunter, and drawing on workshops with The Girvan & District Great War Project, the pupils developed a musical … Continued
Stanley Arts delivered a series of community workshops in Croydon, exploring the question of what freedom means today. Using Freedom Road by Simon Armitage as a starting point, participants engaged in facilitated, closed‑group conversations with community partners. The aim was to bridge intergenerational and intercultural divides by creating space for honest reflection on a theme … Continued
With support from Arts Council England and Future Arts Centres, Our Freedom: Then and Now became a heartfelt community storytelling art project inviting people across Stockport to reflect on a simple but powerful question: “What does freedom mean to me?” Inspired by the 80th anniversaries of VE and VJ Day, the project encouraged residents to … Continued
Storyhouse worked with residents across Winsford to explore what freedom means to the community today. Through workshops, photography, writing, and collaborative making, they helped bring together voices of all ages and backgrounds, culminating in a manifesto and exhibition created by Winsford, for Winsford. A Community Manifesto for Winsford As part of Our Freedom, Storyhouse collaborated … Continued
The Strand presented a multifaceted, intergenerational project exploring the questions: “What did ‘Our Freedom’ mean in east Belfast at the end of the Second World War, and what does it mean today?” The project incorporated oral history interviewing, film‑making workshops, photography workshops, site visits, talks and film screenings. It brought together a diverse range of … Continued
Inspired by the Castellars of Barcelona, the Albany worked with students from the National Centre for Circus Arts to create a celebration of balance, resilience and community spirit. Following workshops with local secondary school students exploring what freedom means to young people in Deptford today, the Albany hosted a community celebration during October Half Term. Shoulders of Giants was a … Continued
The Freedom Festival was an inspiring day of creativity, connection and community! Those gathered at The Art House celebrated peace, unity, and freedom through music, art, creative events, food, and shared stories. The festival was the culmination of work with The Art House community and local people, exploring what freedom meant to them, through conversations, creative workshops, and shared experiences. These personal reflections shaped the heart of the Freedom … Continued
Manchester‑based artist and activist Lou Miller collaborated with children from St Vincent de Paul Catholic Primary School, close to the arts centre in Liverpool 1, to explore their vision of freedom.The resulting exhibition transformed the voices of the children, aged 8–11, into a series of textile banners, clay pieces and print works for adults and … Continued
Our Freedom was a co-created project led by The Customs House in South Shields, created to mark the 80th anniversary of VE and VJ Day. Rooted in local history and personal memory, the project honoured South Tyneside’s veteran community and the vital role local people played during the Second World War. The project began in … Continued
Lancaster’s city centre became the canvas for Our Freedom: Then and Now through two public artworks commissioned by The Dukes. The first, Our Freedom Mural, saw Assembly Arts create a pair of large‑scale murals on Ffrances Passage and Common Garden Street. These works celebrated Lancaster as a city, explored what freedom means to its communities, … Continued
Throughout summer 2025, The Met worked closely with community partners ADAB, The Proud Trust and the Two Tubs pub’s Military Mondays group to explore the question “What does freedom mean to you?”, taking inspiration from the 80th anniversary of VE and VJ Day. Conversations, workshops and creative sessions with these groups helped shape a series … Continued
The Fabrics of Freedom was an exciting community‑led project created as part of Future Arts Centres’ national campaign, Our Freedom: Then and Now. The initiative invited people from across Eastleigh Borough to reflect on what freedom means today, 80 years after the end of the Second World War. As part of the project, The Point … Continued
Threads of Freedom was an artist‑led community project shaped through shared making, listening and reflection. Designed and led by artist Helen Sill, with support from artist Tanya Wood, the project developed as a participatory response to place, history, and lived experience. Drawing inspiration from historical autograph cloths – textiles carrying names, messages and marks of … Continued
Freedom 25: Poetic Placards & Billboards was Trinity Community Arts’ contribution to the national Our Freedom: Then & Now programme led by Future Arts Centres. The project brought together 60 arts centres and libraries from across the UK to mark 80 years since VE/VJ Day and explore what freedom means today. At Trinity, creative writing … Continued
Warwickshire Libraries worked with artist Heidi Pendergrast across four locations in the county, exploring stories, memories, and the responses of the next generation in Atherstone, Bedworth, Lillington and Nuneaton. Together, these communities shaped a series of celebrations that reflected both local history and personal experiences of freedom. Hear from Bedworth Almshouses’ residents about their reflections … Continued
For its contribution to Our Freedom: Then and Now, Watermans commissioned London‑based Polish artist and ethnographer Anna Jochymek to work with Polish migrant women. Twenty large‑format photographic portraits and stories were created as part of conversations with women who were either based in, or connected to, the London Borough of Hounslow. During their photographic sessions … Continued
The Our Freedom: Then and Now project in the Western Isles began with a warm and welcoming launch event at Stornoway Library. Leabharlainn nan Eilean Siar invited the community to come together to commemorate the end of the Second World War and to reflect on what freedom means across generations. The evening featured a screening … Continued
Families were welcomed to Wolverhampton Arts Centre for a lively drop‑in day exploring what life in the city was like during the Second World War. Delivered in partnership with Gazebo Theatre in Education, RAF Midlands Museum and Learn Play, the event offered a hands‑on introduction to local wartime history. Visitors could take part in a … Continued
Woolwich Centre Library marked Our Freedom: Then and Now with Woolwich at War, a powerful exhibition and opening event exploring the area’s remarkable role in the war effort and what freedom means in today’s world. Through new artwork, archival treasures and community storytelling, the programme invited visitors to reflect on Woolwich’s past and its enduring … Continued