As the UK commemorates 80 years since the end of the Second World War, communities across the country are reflecting on what freedom means today. Our Freedom: Then and Now is a nationwide creative programme led by Future Arts Centres, bringing together 60 arts centres and libraries to explore freedom through art, performance, and storytelling.

Over the past few months, the programme has sparked some powerful, community-led projects that honour the past while imagining the future. Here are just a few highlights:

The Art House, Wakefield

The Art House hosted its first Freedom Festival on 27 September, celebrating creativity, community, and self-expression. Through music, exhibitions, drumming workshops, and hands-on activities like carnival mask-making and screen-printing, the event brought together artists and local people to explore freedom in its many forms.

Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield

Local groups including the Sikh Soldiers Organisation, Ukrainian Friendship Group, IASK, and 6 million+ collaborated with artists to create music, dance, drama, and visual art inspired by Simon Armitage’s poem Freedom Road. Their celebratory performance at Lawrence Batley Theatre on 19 October welcomed audiences to reflect on freedom across generations and cultures.

Watermans, Hounslow

Watermans commissioned artist Anna Jochymek to lead Free.Her, a project inviting Polish women in Hounslow to share migration stories and reflect on what freedom means to them. The resulting portraits were exhibited outdoors in Brentford and Hounslow from 24–25 October, creating a powerful portrait of the community.

artsdepot, London

In Burnt Oak, artsdepot invited residents of all ages and backgrounds to share stories, heritage, and hopes for the future. The resulting exhibition To Us It Means, featuring photos and voice recordings, was on display in the Apthorp Gallery from 26 October – 1 November, showcasing the rich tapestry of local voices including Nepalese, Jewish, Irish, and Romanian communities.

LEVEL Centre, Derbyshire

Inspired by the region’s hidden WWII history, LEVEL Centre launched Secret Freedoms, a project that uncovered stories from Matlock’s School of Military Intelligence and the Secret Army. The programme culminated in a joyful day of activities aboard the Secret Freedoms Express on 1 November.

What’s next?

While these projects have already made a powerful impact, Our Freedom: Then and Now is far from over. Most public events are running throughout November 2025, with exhibitions, performances, and workshops still to come.

Visit ourfreedom.org.uk to explore upcoming events near you and discover how you can take part.

Our Freedom: Then and Now is delivered in partnership with Libraries Connected and Open Eye Gallery, supported using public funding by UK Government through Arts Council England.