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Arts and music

Freedom Festival Secures Four-Year Funding for Year-Round Cultural Expansion

5 March 2026

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Freedom Festival Arts Trust (FFAT) has secured funding from the Esmeé Fairbairn Foundation to deliver arts, culture, and heritage activities throughout the year - reaching communities locally, regionally, and nationally far beyond the annual Freedom Festival.

The four-year grant sustains FFAT's growth, powering groundbreaking creative projects, skills development, and community input into local culture.

Marking his first year as Festival Director, Phil Hargreaves said:
“We’re delighted to secure four-year funding from the Esmeé Fairbairn Foundation. This support is vital for our ongoing development, empowering communities to join groundbreaking creative projects at Freedom Festival while giving local people opportunities to build skills, discover new cultural experiences, and shape what’s happening in the area. We can’t wait to dive into this work in the months and years ahead.”

New programmes enabled by the funding include:

  • Pied Piper: A raucous musical re-imagining of the medieval fairy-tale, partnering with Hull Truck and Arcade. Beatboxers, musicians, and local performers deliver electrifying vocal wizardry for all the family.
  • Freedom Citizens: A community panel shaping FFAT's goals via skills training, 'go see' visits to shows/festivals, and input on selection panels. Full details on the FFAT website soon.
  • Freedom on Tour: Bringing the 2025 Freedom Festival hit Castaway (with Living with Water and Highly Sprung Performance) to four Hull schools in Spring 2026, plus workshops on water pollution.
  • Community Cinema: Pop-up screenings with Hull Independent Cinema and Film Hub North—freedom-themed films chosen by local communities.
  • Freedom Online: Digital platform launching 12 March 2026 (further drops 18/26 March) with films, podcasts, videos, and exhibitions from Company Chameleon, Copenhagen Collective, Itchy & The Feminine Urge - bringing festival conversations home.

Phil Hargreaves adds: “From April 2026, more activities roll out across Hull, building to Freedom Festival 2026 (3-6 September). Expect earlier announcements on programmes, participation, and performances.

“FFAT invites community groups, networks, culture champions, and businesses keen on creativity/place-making partnerships to get in touch: info@freedomfestival.co.uk."