On April 16th 2026, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh spent the day exploring the varied landscape of cultural and creative activities across the Isle of Wight. The visit offered a window into how creativity, culture, heritage, and education are woven and celebrated into everyday life.
His Royal Highness met with our partners from CAN YOU HEAR US? including Shademakers, New Carnival Company, IW Open Studios, Young Farmers, the IW Indonesian Community, In Focus and HMP Isle of Wight. Delivered in partnership with Creative Lives, the micro-grant strand of this programme is supporting local groups to deliver creative, community-led activity across the Island.
The Anthony Minghella Theatre at Quay Arts had lots of laughter, as The Duke heard of the surprising ways in which Island organisations are getting involved in everyday creativity through the CAN YOU HEAR US? programme. Delivered in partnership with Creative Lives, the micro-grant strand of this programme supports community-led projects where creative activities are running between March and October 2026, including craft workshops, music, storytelling, performance and hands-on making. Many of the projects focus on people creating things together, often connected to local places, heritage and the natural environment.
Gavin Stride, Director of Creative Island shares:
“This is a great opportunity to express confidently the ambition and beauty of the Isle of Wight. To remind The Duke of the range of people engaged in creativity and capturing the history of our communities. We are really pleased to be hosting this visit as we prepare for six weeks of the CAN YOU HEAR US? programme, happening later this year, that celebrates all that the Island is.”
It was a day defined by shared enthusiasm for making creativity an opportunity for everyone.
From now until Autumn this year, you can join in with free events and activities as we build toward our six-week celebration of creativity and culture. CAN YOU HEAR US? takes place from September 11th to October 24th. Start booking onto some free and exciting activities happening near you by visiting our events tab.
