Lincoln Arts Centre Secures Funding for VE and VJ Day Commemoration Project

Our Freedom: Then and Now is a new programme of community-based events taking place in arts centres, museums and libraries throughout the UK. Lincoln Arts Centre will work with the International Bomber Command Centre (IBCC) to bring its Digital Archive to life through a series of stories, workshops and large-scale displays.

The grant, from ‘Future Arts Centres’ by the UK Government through Arts Council England, was also awarded to another 79 organisations throughout the UK. The University of Lincoln received National Portfolio of Organisations (NPO) from Arts Council England in 2023.

Our Freedom: Then and Now builds on Lincolnshire’s strong RAF heritage and the involvement of  ‘Bomber County’ in World War Two. Marking the 80th  anniversary of the end of the Second World War, this memorable programme will give communities a unique opportunity to reflect on the end of the Second World War and to explore what freedom means for them, then and now. 

Ben Anderson, Director of Lincoln Arts Centre said:

“Local artists and communities in Lincoln are once again taking their place on the national stage. This time through our involvement in an initiative with real local significance.

“I’m excited to get started and eager to see communities come together to explore and activate the University’s unique cultural assets: Lincoln Arts Centre and the IBCC Digital Archive to create something truly unique and memorable.”

Lincoln Arts Centre will now work closely with communities across Lincolnshire to identify and activate stories that resonate with them. Participants will take part in a series of facilitated workshops designed to unearth and interpret stories from the University’s IBCC Digital Archive. 

We are now looking for participants to help us work with professional artists to create bold, large- scale creative responses; think giant flash mobs, large scale sculpture or poetry on the side of buildings. Working with Associate & Innovate Artists at the Lincoln Arts Centre , we will honour the past and shape the future by bringing together intergenerational participants as part of the project. 

We are ideally looking for participants who are:

• RAF personnel, or have a strong connection with the RAF 

• Students 

• Living in or around Boston Fenside  

• Interested in Lincolnshire History  

• Ready to bring stories to life in Lincolnshire! 

Want to get involved? Sign up before Sunday 15 June by clicking here