On Wednesday 25 March, guests from across the UK gathered at the Southbank Centre for the launch of Our Freedom: Then and Now, a new national photography exhibition created with communities to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

The event brought together community participants, artists, photographers, venue teams and national partners from across the programme – many meeting in person for the first time. It was a warm and celebratory moment that highlighted the breadth of people and places involved in shaping the project.

Speakers included Stephanie Peacock MP, Minister for Sport, Tourism, Civil Society and Youth, who reflected on the significance of commemorating the 80th anniversary at a time when the number of people with lived experience of the war is diminishing. She spoke about the importance of choosing to remember, the continued relevance of the values associated with freedom, and the role communities play in sustaining these stories.

Simon Mellor, Deputy Chief Executive of Arts Council England, emphasised how the arts help us understand major historical moments and bring local experiences into wider national conversations. He highlighted the scale of collaboration across the programme, and the value of cultural spaces in creating room for dialogue during challenging times.

Future Arts Centres Co‑Directors Annabel Turpin and Gavin Barlow introduced the exhibition and shared reflections on the national programme. They also presented a short film capturing the breadth and impact of the project, offering guests a deeper insight into the community-led work behind the exhibition.

They said: “We’re proud that Our Freedom has brought so many voices together, and that this exhibition celebrates the creativity and perspectives of communities from across the UK.”

Produced with Open Eye Gallery and featuring work by 22 photographers from the Socially Engaged Photography Network, the exhibition brings together images created in response to projects led by arts centres and libraries nationwide. It will now tour to 19 venues across the UK and is available to explore online via the Our Freedom: Then and Now website.