In case you missed the news earlier in the week, 26 six Isle of Wight community groups are to receive microgrants of between £500 and £1,000 as part of the CAN YOU HEAR US? programme, with projects spanning health, heritage, music, outdoor learning and the arts.
The grants are delivered in partnership with Creative Lives, supporting creative activity between March and October 2026 – both in the lead-up to and during the six-week autumn celebration.
From breast cancer support to skateboarding
The breadth of groups funded reflects the programme’s aim to reach communities that might not typically engage with arts funding (see the full list below).
Women affected by breast cancer are among the beneficiaries, with both Appleblossoms and the Applegate Breast Cancer Support Group receiving grants.
Appleblossoms will run monthly creative sessions offering card-making, needle felting, embroidery and miniature crafts, providing a space for creativity and peer support.
Applegate will work with a local ceramic artist to create a collaborative artwork representing participants’ shared experiences, with the finished piece gifted to the new Isle of Wight Breast Unit opening later this year.
The Creative Arts Group at HMP Isle of Wight receives funding for a weekly performance programme working towards public-facing productions, including a Christmas show within the prison community.
John Cattle‘s Skate Club CIC will produce a collaborative short film documenting the Island’s skateboarding scene, with young people developing mobile filming skills through workshops and meet-ups.
Heritage, nature and cultural exchange
Several projects draw on the Island’s distinctive landscape and heritage.
The Classic Boat Museum will lead the creation of a large sailcloth tapestry telling the story of Cowes’ boatbuilding heritage, involving volunteers, schools and local groups.
Grow Gurnard CIC will run willow craft workshops – including hurdle-making and weaving a living willow structure – at their community growing site, while Wayfinders Education will offer intergenerational outdoor days combining whittling, nature art and den building with a shared campfire meal.
The Isle of Wight Indonesian Community will hold dance and costume-making workshops preparing participants for the Mardi Gras parade, promoting cultural exchange and community integration.
Music, words and public art
The programme also supports emerging voices in music and literature.
Electronic Music Open Mic IW will host free nights for musicians, DJs and producers to share work and collaborate, while Sounds + Grounds Youthfest will deliver a three-night youth music micro-festival in Cowes, free for both performers and audiences.
VEX, the Ventnor Exchange Spoken Word Collective, will run community writing workshops creating poems for a Poetry Pharmacy installation and exhibition during Ventnor Fringe.
The Common Space CLG’s Sandown Bay CoCreate Workshops will see participants’ artwork installed within local coastal defence structures, creating a public trail along the bay.
CAN YOU HEAR US? runs from 11th September to 24th October 2026, supported by £402,000 from Arts Council England’s Place Partnership Fund.
The grantees
Appleblossoms A monthly creative session for women affected by breast cancer, offering activities such as card-making, needle felting, embroidery and miniature crafts. The workshops will provide a welcoming space for creativity, connection and peer support. Applegate Breast Cancer Support Group Working with a local ceramic artist, the group will create a collaborative artwork representing their shared experiences. The finished piece will be gifted to the new Isle of Wight Breast Unit opening in 2026. Appley Day Clay Collaboration Two participatory clay workshops at Appley Day, inviting the public to create temporary land art using recycled porcelain and clay flowers. Participants will collectively transform the park landscape through accessible and playful sculptural making. Brading Roman Villa Young people from Brading will design costumes and flags, and create choreography to take part in the Ryde Mardi Gras parade, gaining creative skills and confidence while experiencing a vibrant community celebration many would not otherwise access. Classic Boat Museum, Boatyard Tapestry Community members will collaboratively create a large tapestry using sailcloth to tell the story of Cowes’ boatbuilding heritage. Workshops with volunteers, schools and local groups will combine textile-making with local history. Creative Arts Group, HMP Isle of Wight A weekly creative arts group for prisoners developing confidence, communication and teamwork through performance. Participants will work towards public-facing productions, including festivals and a Christmas show within the prison community. Electronic Music Open Mic IW Free open-mic nights for electronic musicians, DJs and producers to share work, collaborate and receive feedback. The events will build a supportive local network and encourage creative experimentation within the Isle of Wight electronic music scene. Friends of Monkton Arts, Ryde Gypsy Jazz Festival Free street performances and a public workshop introducing the techniques of Gypsy jazz during Ryde’s festival. The project aims to widen access to this underrepresented genre and strengthen the Island’s growing jazz community. Grow Gurnard CIC A series of practical workshops exploring traditional willow crafts, including planting, hurdle-making, and weaving a living willow structure. Participants will help create functional features and gathering spaces within the community growing site. Gurnard Community Calendar Group Reviving Gurnard’s May Day celebrations with a craft fair, demonstrations, and hands-on sessions showcasing traditional skills and sustainable agriculture. The event will bring families together and highlight training pathways for young people. Havenstreet Community Association, Tree of Life Project Free workshops where residents create decorative glass and pottery pieces for a collaborative ‘Tree of Life’ artwork in the community garden, strengthening local pride while enhancing a shared outdoor space. In Focus Education and Development Four photography workshops for young people across the Isle of Wight, exploring personal stories through the Photovoice approach. Participants will learn photography skills and co-curate exhibition prints showcasing their perspectives. Island CraftWorks, Ryde Flower Trail Inclusive craft workshops creating sustainable paper flowers for a public trail displayed in shops and community spaces across Ryde. The project encourages creativity, collaboration and increased footfall for local businesses. Isle of Wight Indonesian Community Community dance and costume-making workshops celebrating Indonesian culture, while preparing participants to join the Isle of Wight Mardi Gras parade. The project promotes cultural exchange and community integration. Isle of Wight Rare Breeds CIC Hands-on felting workshops using fleece from the farm’s own sheep. Participants will learn to process, dye, and transform raw wool into creative objects while connecting with farming heritage. Isle of Wight Young Farmers’ Club Members will collaborate on designing and painting a mural celebrating the Island’s landscapes, agriculture and wildlife. Workshops will explore environmental themes while strengthening community identity. John Cattle’s Skate Club CIC Skaters across the Island will contribute footage to a collaborative short film documenting the local skateboarding scene. Workshops and meet-ups will support young people to develop mobile filming skills and share their stories. Nature Therapy CIC, Artful Drumming Café Silent disco equipment will enable inclusive movement, music and wellbeing sessions in community venues, care homes and outdoor spaces. Participants can control their own sound levels, supporting accessibility for people with sensory needs. Sounds + Grounds Youthfest A three-night youth music micro-festival in Cowes, offering young performers the chance to play short live sets. Free for audiences and participants, the event will support emerging musicians and energise the local music scene. The Common Space CLG, Sandown Bay CoCreate Workshops Creative workshops exploring coastal ecology and engineering through art-making. Participants’ work will be installed within local coastal defence structures, creating a public trail celebrating community creativity and environmental awareness. The Port Weekend creative sessions including DJ skills workshops, sewing and collaborative craft projects for young people. Participants will create banners and artworks promoting the CAN YOU HEAR US? programme. The Ryde Art Collective A digital arts workshop where young people experiment with film, sound and live projection using professional software. The project culminates in a collaborative projection showcase celebrating participants’ creative ideas. VEX, Ventnor Exchange Spoken Word Collective Community writing workshops inviting participants to create poems for a ‘Poetry Pharmacy’ and festival exhibition during Ventnor Fringe. Work will be shared through posters, recordings and interactive installations. VIVA Carnival Club Learning-disabled volunteers will take part in training sessions to help lead participatory drumming workshops for the wider community. The project will highlight participants’ skills while building confidence and leadership experience. Wayfinders Education Intergenerational outdoor creative days where families explore crafts such as whittling, nature art, and den building. Participants will share a campfire meal while learning practical skills connected to nature and local heritage.
