Creative Island, in partnership with the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation, has announced the launch of “Past Futures – A People’s History of the Isle of Wight”.
This new heritage initiative, backed by a substantial £250,000 fund, aims to amplify the voices that tell the Island’s story.
Funded by the National Heritage Lottery Fund, the 18-month programme will help uncover and document the cultural heritage of the Isle of Wight. In doing so, it hopes to foster a stronger sense of identity among residents while building confidence in the museum and broader heritage sector.
Supporting local partners with grants and resources
One key element of “Past Futures” is a series of small grants ranging from £5,000 to £10,000, designed to help community groups share their unique interpretations of the Island’s heritage.
These grants are part of a broader effort to strengthen the skills and confidence of the local museum and heritage sectors.
A consultant will guide applicants through the funding process, uncovering fresh stories and reaching out to new communities. A digital consultant will ensure each project develops a strong digital component, making these cultural insights accessible to a wide audience.
Enhancing skills and building capacity
Alongside these grants, the programme will offer capacity-building initiatives to help community partners create compelling projects. This approach aims to engage new audiences and reinforce pride in the Island’s history and culture.
Kelly Wetherick, recently appointed as Programme Lead, will play a central role in this effort. She will lead outreach activities, develop capacity-building initiatives, and oversee the successful delivery of the projects.
Attracting new funding to the Island
Gavin Stride, Director of Creative Island, expressed his enthusiasm, saying,
“This is exactly what we were hoping for with Creative Island.
“That we would be able to collectively make the case for the Isle of Wight and attract new resources to benefit the widest possible range of voices.”
The news comes on the back of £440,000 funding from Arts Council England to help run events and activities that celebrate local life, finishing with a six-week Island-wide festival in autumn 2026.
Creating a broader audience for the Island’s heritage
Jacqui Scott, Chief Executive of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation, also shared her excitement,
“We hope that the projects funded will create a broader audience for the Island’s heritage, and that the programme will demonstrate how beneficial heritage projects can be in enabling our communities to flourish.
“We are delighted that National Lottery Heritage Fund have focused these funds on such a unique part of our region.”
