Arts Council England backs ambitious Isle of Wight festival connecting artists, schools and communities

Creative Island, the Cultural Development Agency for the Isle of Wight, is delighted to announce the programme for CAN YOU HEAR US? a six-week Island-wide celebration of creativity and culture, supported by Arts Council England’s Place Partnership Fund and taking place between 11th September and 24th October 2026.

Featuring film, craft, public art, music, theatre, nature connection, shared meals and carnival, CAN YOU HEAR US? will celebrate local artists, schools and communities, encouraging everyone to get involved while amplifying the story of Island culture to the wider world.

From Shademakers’ Ship of Hope promenade carnival in Ryde to the travelling Ventnor Exchange Arena bringing together circus, theatre, and youth-led festivals to Sandown and Newport, to Somewhen Survival Society – a touring village-hall event combining performance, storytelling and a communal feast, CAN YOU HEAR US? involves 17 partner organisations and brings together many artists, makers, creative and cultural practitioners and community participants from across the Island.

“An opportunity to celebrate all that the Island is”
Gavin Stride, Director of Creative Island expresses,

“This is an opportunity to celebrate all that the Island is. To delight in all the ways that the people of the Island express who they are and to recognise the talent and energy of people in every part of our communities.”

A key ambition for CAN YOU HEAR US? is a deep commitment to both the Island’s next generation of cultural leaders and the vibrant spirit of local communities. Today, Creative Island are pleased to also announce that twelve participants have been awarded a place on the Cultural Leadership Programme, and they will receive dedicated support to shape a more confident, resourceful, and relevant future for the Isle of Wight’s cultural scene.

Additionally, through a partnership with Creative Lives, the Micro-grants Programme is funding 26 activities across a variety of artforms during and in the lead up to CAN YOU HEAR US?’s Autumn celebration.

Young people at the heart of the programme
With the Island’s young people at the heart of the programme, CAN YOU HEAR US? will provide multiple opportunities for young people to participate and to develop skills.

There will also be an Island-wide schools programme, delivered in partnership with the Isle of Wight Cultural Education Partnership and Artswork’s Listen Up! Further information will be announced shortly.

“Music has a unique way of capturing the spirit of a place”
Nia Collins, Strategic Planning and Programme Manager of Southampton and IW Music Hub shares,

“Music has a unique way of capturing the spirit of a place and the stories of the people who live there. Through Songs of Place, young people and communities will turn their experiences of Island life into new music and soundscapes, creating something that celebrates where they are from and ensures their voices are heard far
beyond the shoreline”

“The momentum behind culture on the Isle of Wight has never been stronger”
Phil Gibby, Area Director, Arts Council England South West, adds,

“We’re delighted to support Creative Island’s CAN YOU HEAR US? Programme with £402,000 from our Place Partnership Fund. The momentum behind culture on the Isle of Wight has never been stronger. From Shademakers’ carnival leadership to the regenerated Department building in Ryde, and the touring big-top Ventnor Exchange Arena, organisations across the Island are expanding access to creativity for all.

“It’s powerful to see artists, schools and communities come together around a shared love of their home. By focusing on children and young people, developing new cultural leaders, and supporting grassroots projects, the cultural sector is shaping a collaborative vision that feels distinctly its own. We applaud everyone whose hard work and imagination have made this ambitious new future possible.”