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Creative Programme

Our Creative Programme brings unique artistic interventions to our sites in the form of contemporary visual art, theatre, literature, dance and other creative art forms that bring England’s stories to life.

The programme commissions artists, often in partnership with organisations, to produce creative works that draw inspiration from our iconic sites and collections and encourage engagement with heritage and history in new and thought-provoking ways.

Members and visitors can enjoy our creative and artistic projects as part of a regular visit to a site, with a series of exciting new projects, partnerships and collaborations planned for the year ahead.

What’s been happening

Our Creative Programme was launched in 2020. Since then, we've programmed a series of stimulating projects including a major art installation on Hadrian’s Wall in 2022, celebrating the Wall’s 1,900th anniversary. We’ve also commissioned a new artwork at Scarborough Castle, and hosted a poetry fellowship.

Our programme has included exciting partnerships with the British Textile Biennial, Forward Arts Foundation, Ikon Gallery, Invisible Dust, Newcastle University, Northampton University, Poetry Takeaway and Vigo Gallery.

Explore some of our most recent and ongoing Creative Programme projects below or look back further to some of our past creative collaborations here.

More on the Art Installation at Housesteads

Upcoming and Recent Projects

  • Keith Harrison: Fountain | 1937

    Artist Keith Harrison's new artwork is now on display at Witley Court, Worcestershire. The work, Fountain | 1937, responds to the working-class history that funded the family wealth of the 19th-century owner of Witley Court – the Earl of Dudley. Free with site admission.

  • Lindsey Mendick: Wicked Game

    As part of the 450th anniversary celebrations of Elizabeth I’s 19-day visit to Kenilworth Castle, British artist Lindsey Mendick has been invited to produce a new temporary installation within the grounds of the castle from 9 July – 31 October 2025. The work will re-examine the events of 1575 from the perspective of a female gaze.

Past Projects

Over the years we have been privileged to work on a number of collaborations with emerging and established artists, local communities and other creative organisations to produce art commissions, site-specific works, sound installations, exhibitions, performances and events at our sites across the country.

Explore our Past Projects