Barnsley Civic is pleased to launch an exciting summer programme of workshops and events exploring themes of freedom, food, and togetherness, culminating in a celebration event on Sunday 7th September, delivered alongside Barnsley based community partners.
The organisation was selected in June as one of 80 venues to take part in Our Freedom: Then and Now, a national programme of community based events in Arts Centres and Libraries across the UK, marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. Building on Barnsley’s long tradition of mutual aid and collective action, Barnsley Civic will bring together local community groups and partners including Creative Recovery, Barnsley Food Bank, and Good Food Pantries to explore ideas around freedom, community, and working together.
As part of the programme, individuals are invited to share their thoughts and produce creative reflections on what freedom means to them and their communities. A free public session will take place on Friday 1st from 10am to 2pm, offering tea, crafting, and cake, along with the opportunity to learn more and get involved.
In collaboration with Barnsley Food Bank, Barnsley Civic is now a designated Food Bank Collection Point. Donations can be left in the basket at the main entrance on Eldon Street and are collected weekly by volunteers. Full details of accepted donations are available on the Food Bank’s website or via flyers at the Box Office.
This project marks a significant moment in Barnsley Civic’s history. As Barnsley Civic approaches its 150th anniversary, this moment provides a timely opportunity to celebrate its legacy and reaffirm its commitment to serving the whole community. It is not only a celebration of the past, but also an investment in the future, strengthening community ties and fostering lasting impact.
Barnsley Civic’s Community Engagement Officer and project lead Gemma Geldart says:
“We’re excited to be working on this national project with our long-standing friends at Creative Recovery, and grateful for the opportunity it has given us to build new partnerships with Barnsley Food Bank and Good Food Pantries.
We’re planning a proper Barnsley knees-up on September 7th and everyone’s welcome. But Our Freedom: Then and Now isn’t just about one day. It’s about building a legacy. By exploring themes of food, community, and togetherness, we hope to spark conversations that continue well beyond the event.”
Our Freedom: Then and Now is supported by the UK Government through Arts Council England and delivered in partnership with Libraries Connected.
For further info
About FAC
Future Arts Centres (FAC) is a national network of over 170 arts centres across the UK. FAC champions the role of arts centres as vital public spaces that foster creativity, community, and cultural expression. In 2023, FAC became a registered company and an Arts Council England IPSO, providing sector support and leadership.
About Our Freedom: Then and Now
“Our Freedom: Then and Now”, is part of a £2 million national creative programme marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. Supported by the UK Government through Arts Council England, the Future Arts Centres and Libraries Connected initiative will see 60 arts centres and libraries across Britain present community-led projects exploring the legacy of VE Day and VJ Day.
“Our Freedom: Then and Now” empowers artists, veterans and residents to explore themes of past and present freedoms through 60 creative projects, including exhibitions, performances and installations running from June to November 2025.
About Our Freedom: Then and Now Launch
On June 4th, 2025, Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage, opened the “Our Freedom: Then and Now” campaign with a reading of a specially commissioned poem “Freedom Road” alongside speeches from Arts Council England, CEO, Darren Henley, and Future Arts Centres Co-Directors Annabel Turpin and Gavin Barlow, with participants from all 60 community-led art projects in attendance. The campaign, which is setting out to explore the legacy of VE and VJ Days through community-led events, including exhibitions, performances and installations will run from June to November 2025
