At the heart of CAN YOU HEAR US? the Isle of Wight’s six-week celebration, is a simple, powerful question: what happens when we really listen?
Songs of Place is an Island-wide music project led by young people, inspired by the sounds, stories and landscapes of the Isle of Wight. Through songwriting, field recordings and making music together, young Islanders are exploring who they are, where they live and what matters to them.
Working alongside their peers, local musicians and professional composers, they’re creating original music that reflects their real experiences of Island life. The project is taking place in schools and community spaces across the Island, building confidence, creativity and a stronger connection to place.
We caught up with Nia Collins, Strategic Planning & Programme Manager Southampton and IOW Music, who led the Myths and Legends Vocal Prom recording sessions directly in the schools after the Big Sing event scheduled at Carisbrooke Castle was rained off. (What we’d do for some rain now, hey?)
“The thing that music allows children to do on a day to day basis is to do something practical, physical, and cathartic and to express yourself which can be difficult sometimes within a school day, to have time to release and express. Music in general is good for mental health and wellbeing, and there’s a lot of evidence to back that up now. I’m really looking forward to seeing the work come together in the Arena for CAN YOU HEAR US?, where young performers will have the chance to share their voices, celebrate their talent, and be heard by audiences from across the Island.“
LISTEN UP! | GIVING YOUNG PEOPLE A VOICE
If adults were listening, what would you say?
That’s the big question behind Listen Up!, Artswork’s youth voice and filmmaking programme, working with Peta Rainford, teachers and local filmmaker NOSY Creative Agency, young people are exploring the issues that matter most to them before turning their ideas into powerful short films.
Two films have already been released, Do You Understand Care? and Unheard, with three more currently in production. Students at St Helens & St Mary’s School are exploring wellbeing and encouraging people to put their phones down and enjoy the Island, St Catherine’s School are exploring ocean sewage and have interviewed Isle of Wight MP Joe Robertson, and Christ the King College are creating a film about the lack of political education.
Reflecting on the workshops, NOSY Creative Agency said, “Giving young people the opportunity to shape their own projects and find their own voice is what makes programmes like this so valuable.”
You can watch the completed films here:
Do you Understand Care? Shares the experiences of children in care and what they want adults to understand about their lives. https://artswork.org.uk/news/do-you-understand-care
The second film, Unheard, was created by students from Medina College. Through drama, they ask teachers to look beyond behaviour and really listen to what young people are experiencing. It is a powerful reminder that being heard can make all the difference. https://artswork.org.uk/news/unheard-film
THIS WAY UP
Meanwhile, Department’s ‘This Way Up’ is calling on young artists aged 13-26 to take over the gallery this Autumn. The theme is completely open to interpretation. Whether you explore ideas of growth, change, direction, hope, uncertainty or something entirely unexpected, they’ll want to see your unique response.
Submit work for a FREE exhibition with the theme open to interpretation. Painting, photography, textiles, sculpture, digital art, film, printmaking. You don’t even need a finished piece. Just share your idea, along with sketches, photos or examples of your work. The theme is completely open to interpretation, there are no limits on medium, but they’re interested in imaginative work that starts conversations, challenges perspectives and shows something new.
Applications are open now, and the deadline is September 13th. The exhibition will be on display from 13th October 2026- 7th November.
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Between now until the end of October, we’re building up to our 6-week celebration by collaborating with exceptional partners to host a vibrant range of FREE community-led activities, to ensure that everyone has access to creative and cultural opportunities. We’re talking theatre, carnival, music, food, nature, craft and stories. Reconnect with your community, try something new and join in the Island’s biggest celebration.
