Future Arts Centres
LightNews LightNews
banner
artscentres.bsky.social
Future Arts Centres
@artscentres.bsky.social
77 followers 60 following 70 posts
Creating the arts centres of tomorrow
Posts Replies Media Videos
artscentres.bsky.social
🌟 Great to visit Leeds Central Library yesterday to see the new tapestry panel from their Threads of Freedom project, part of the national #OurFreedom programme.

Created with communities across Leeds, it now sits alongside the Leeds Tapestry.

📌 More events continue: www.ourfreedom.org.uk/events
Four members of the Future Arts Centres team (l-r: Sophia McKenna, Christine Lee, Gavin Barlow, Annabel Turpin) stand either side of the new tapestry panel.
November 21, 2025 at 3:12 PM
artscentres.bsky.social
📢 We’re delighted to share that Future Arts Centres has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with @goldsmithsuol.bsky.social - marking the start of a new partnership grounded in shared values of creativity, community, and civic engagement.

🔗 Learn more: futureartscentres.org.uk/future-arts-...
Future Arts Centres Co-Directors Gavin Barlow and Annabel Turpin. (Photo credit: Jonathan Keenan Photography)
November 4, 2025 at 7:47 PM
artscentres.bsky.social
Ending October with reflections from our recent Members’ Meeting which tackled the capital challenge head-on. From urgent repairs to future-proofing, the message was clear: arts centres are civic infrastructure. Investing in them means investing in community: futureartscentres.org.uk/building-for...
Dave Moutrey, chair of the panel on The Fundraising Landscape, stand at a microphone to introduce the topic and his three fellow panellists seated alongside him. An audience of FAC members gathered around circular tables in the Rich Mix Studio watches on. A panel of seven people sitting in front of a projection screen showing images of several Future Arts Centres venues.
October 31, 2025 at 6:47 PM
artscentres.bsky.social
💡 Arts centres are delivering culture with purpose - supporting wellbeing, learning, and local regeneration.

Future Arts Centres’ latest Sector Insight Report shows a resilient, community-rooted sector ready to lead - with the right support.

📖 Read it here: futureartscentres.org.uk/new-sector-i...
Young people taking part in a movement session. Photo credit: Bradford Arts Centre.
October 30, 2025 at 7:59 AM
artscentres.bsky.social
Our Yorkshire member Cast is seeking an experienced and inspirational leader to take it into its next era by providing strategic, artistic, organisational and financial leadership. Interested? Find out more: www.castindoncaster.com/about/jobs-o...

Closing date: 9am, Mon 1 Dec 2025.
An image of Cast, their logo, and text reading 'WE'RE HIRING Director of Cast'
October 28, 2025 at 1:22 PM
artscentres.bsky.social
From fundraising realities to scoping future programmes, the day reminded us what’s possible when we come together. (3/3)

#FutureArtsCentres #ArtsInfrastructure #Collaboration
A group of FAC members and guests seated in a circle during a breakout session. Future Arts Centres Co-Director Gavin Barlow with guests Dave Moutrey, Ian Stickland, and Zoe Crick-Tucker (other panel members out of shot) during the final session of the day. They are seated in front of a projection screen showing photos of several FAC member venues.
October 24, 2025 at 1:23 PM
artscentres.bsky.social
We’re grateful to Zoe Crick-Tucker, Caroline McCormick, Tonya Nelson, Simon Erridge, Tom Clarke, Ian Stickland, and Dave Moutrey for their openness and expertise. And thanks to Oitij-Jo Kitchen for the delicious lunch! (2/3)
Groups of FAC members in breakout discussions around tables in the Rich Mix Studio. Future Arts Centres Co-Directors Annabel Turpin and Gavin Barlow chair the second panel discussion with Tom Clarke (Theatres Trust), Ian Stickland (Charcoalblue), and Simon Erridge (Bennetts Associates).
October 24, 2025 at 1:23 PM
artscentres.bsky.social
Last week’s Future Arts Centres Members’ Meeting at Rich Mix was full of insight, generosity, and shared ambition. Thank you to everyone who joined us - speakers, facilitators, members, and our brilliant hosts. (1/3)
Sign on a stand pointing the way to the Future Arts Centres meeting at Rich Mix. The meeting of Future Arts Centres members listens to the first panel discussion of Dave Moutrey in conversation with Zoe Crick-Tucker (Theatr Clwyd), Caroline McCormick (Achates), and Tonya Nelson (Arts Council England).
October 24, 2025 at 1:23 PM
artscentres.bsky.social
Brilliant to see two Future Arts Centres members win at the #UKTheatreAwards! 👏

🏆 Storyhouse - Excellence in Inclusivity
🏆 BEAM - Excellence in Sustainability

And congrats to The Parent Agency, a Storyhouse and Scenario Two co-production, for Best Performance in a Musical 🎉

#FutureArtsCentres
A collage of images showing the Storyhouse team on stage accepting their Excellence in Inclusivity award, and posing with it later. A hand holding up BEAM's Excellence in Sustainability award in front of their venue. The BEAM team posing with their award.
October 23, 2025 at 6:35 PM
artscentres.bsky.social
Great to be at Rich Mix in London today for our third and final Members' Meeting of 2025. Brilliant to have so many peers and specialists here as we consider the realities of maintaining our buildings and developing successful capital programmes.
Exterior of Rich Mix in East London. Members listening to a panel speaking on the fundraising landscape.
October 16, 2025 at 2:01 PM
artscentres.bsky.social
Our Co-Director Annabel Turpin will be speaking at Arts & Business NI's Cultural Governance Conference at The Duncairn in Belfast next Thur 23 Oct, sharing insights from her roles at Future Arts Centres, Storyhouse, and Arts Council England. How can organisations be truly community-led?
Promotional graphic for the Cultural Governance Conference 2025, showing speakers Saad Eddine Said (New Art Exchange); Annabel Turpin (Storyhouse); Olwen Dawe (Safe to Create); and Fiona Bell (Thrive).
October 14, 2025 at 7:14 PM
artscentres.bsky.social
🌍 This summer, we supported Sophie Cade from The Met, Bury to attend #FAMFEST Chile, a festival championing theatre for young audiences. She’s back with big ideas for Bury and beyond. Read her reflections 👉 futureartscentres.org.uk/famfest-chil...

#FutureArtsCentres #FAMFEST2025 #FamilyTheatre
A group shot of FAMFEST attendees, with a row of people standing, and another row kneeling in front of them
October 10, 2025 at 1:59 PM
artscentres.bsky.social
⚪ Restoke - a community arts centre based in Fenton Town Hall, putting the people of Stoke-on-Trent at the heart of creative adventures (@restoke.bsky.social)

We’re looking forward to connecting, collaborating, and celebrating your work. Welcome to the network!

(5/5)
Exterior of Fenton Town Hall, home of Restoke
September 26, 2025 at 1:22 PM
artscentres.bsky.social
⚪ Harbour House - a charitable contemporary art and wellbeing centre based in Kingsbridge, South Devon

(4/5)
Exterior of Harbour House
September 26, 2025 at 1:22 PM
artscentres.bsky.social
⚪ Florence Arts Centre - a participatory arts centre located on the site of a former iron ore mine in Egremont, Cumbria

(3/5)
Outside Florence Arts Centre in Egremont, with a painting of the same scene on an easel in the foreground
September 26, 2025 at 1:22 PM
artscentres.bsky.social
⚪ BEAM - a vibrant creative arts and culture venue in the heart of Hertford town centre

(2/5)
Exterior of BEAM in Hertford
September 26, 2025 at 1:22 PM
artscentres.bsky.social
We're thrilled to extend a very warm welcome to five more organisations joining Future Arts Centres. It's fantastic to have you on board!

Please join us in welcoming:

⚪ Art & Talking - the art centre of Chipping Norton

(1/5)
Exterior of Art & Talking, a building in the 13th Century Market Square
September 26, 2025 at 1:22 PM
artscentres.bsky.social
A Future Arts Centres member, the Southbank Centre, is marking a significant milestone soon! Our Co-Directors Annabel Turpin & Gavin Barlow were delighted to be at the launch of their 75th anniversary programme last night. Find out what's in store for 2026: www.southbankcentre.co.uk/press/the-so...
FAC Co-Directors Annabel Turpin and Gavin Barlow pose for a photo against the background of activity at the Southbank Centre. Photo credit: Maddy Mills.
September 19, 2025 at 3:03 PM
artscentres.bsky.social
Our Co-Director Annabel Turpin welcomed Chris Bryant MP, Minister for Creative Industries, Arts and Tourism, to @storyhouselive.bsky.social this week to talk about the value and impact of arts centres like this one.

Here’s to continuing the conversation about our power to make a difference.
Annabel Turpin, Chief Executive of Storyhouse and Co-Director of Future Arts Centres, and Sir Chris Bryant MP, Minister for Creative Industries, Arts and Tourism, pose for a photo against the backdrop of the interior of Storyhouse.
August 29, 2025 at 11:37 AM
artscentres.bsky.social
We’re thrilled to announce 22 photographers from Open Eye Gallery's Socially Engaged Photography Network will be capturing stories from #OurFreedom: Then and Now, culminating in a national exhibition in 2026. Meet them & learn more: ourfreedom.org.uk/news/new-nat...

@artscouncilengland.bsky.social
Person (face out of shot) holding a camera
August 22, 2025 at 2:12 PM
artscentres.bsky.social
Thanks to Minister Peacock for visiting and recognising how arts centres help connect communities and explore what freedom means today.

More on the visits and the UK-wide programme marking 80 years since WWII: futureartscentres.org.uk/minister-ste...

#VEDay #VJDay #ArtsCentres (2/2)
Minister Stephanie Peacock, Gavin Barlow (Co-Director, Future Arts Centres), and participants plus facilitators & people from The Old Fire Station, Oxford
August 15, 2025 at 2:51 PM
artscentres.bsky.social
Great to welcome @stephanie-peacock.bsky.social to @barnsleycivic.bsky.social and The Old Fire Station, Oxford this week, where she saw Our Freedom: Then & Now projects in action - from pop-up community exhibitions to creative work in development. #OurFreedom #ThenAndNow #CreativeCommunities (1/2)
Minister Stephanie Peacock with Jennifer Cleary (Arts Council England), Helen Boutle (Lead Artist at Creative Recovery), Daniel Winder (CEO at Barnsley Civic), and Joel Brogan (Head of Programme, at Barnsley Civic)
August 15, 2025 at 2:51 PM
artscentres.bsky.social
A feat made possible by the venues, volunteers, our partners @librariesconnected.bsky.social and Open Eye Gallery, and public funding from @artscouncilengland.bsky.social via Department for Culture, Media and Sport. (5/6)
Collage of the four images from the previous posts in this thread, with the VE/VJ Day 80 logo in the centre
August 15, 2025 at 11:48 AM
artscentres.bsky.social
Events, workshops, sessions, and reflections in the Our Freedom: Then and Now campaign have already helped many remember and recognise our freedom through the arts. (4/6)
Image from Lincoln Arts Centre: Youth Group session at RAF Digby
August 15, 2025 at 11:48 AM
artscentres.bsky.social
We must never forget the story of our freedom – or those who protected it in #WWII. (3/6)
UK and US soldiers on VJ Day in Oxford Circus, 1945
August 15, 2025 at 11:48 AM