Welcome to
Culture in Common
We’re a New Forest programme creating more opportunities for you to see and take part in creative activities. Ever wanted to try pottery or film-making? See live music on your local recreation ground? Bring a pop-up cinema to your neighbourhood? Art, theatre, music, comedy – we want more of it across the New Forest in the next few years.
Why
we’re here
We believe creativity should be for everybody and that the New Forest deserves more of it, especially as parts of it can feel a bit cut off, particularly after lockdown. And we want you to tell us what you’d like to see where you live and – if you can – to help us make it happen.
What’s happening
From Totton to New Milton, we are running a wide variety of creative events around the New Forest, so there’s bound to be something for you.
Take a look at our Impact Report to see what we were up to in 2024!
Community Anchors
We couldn’t make decisions on our programme without the help of our consortium and panel of community champions. These are people from our target areas across the New Forest, unsung heroes that organize or support local events and are helping us to connect to groups of people that don’t experience much arts and culture.
What to expect
When you join one of our activities we hope that you find it…
Accepting
It doesn’t matter who you are, where you’re from or if you haven’t taken part in creative activities before.
Accessible
We will make it easy for you to take part and give you all the information you need to get involved.
Fun
We aren’t stuffy and boring – we want you to have a good time when you come to one of our events.
Inspiring
We will support you to do things you haven’t done before and meet people you wouldn’t normally meet.
Of the New Forest
The New Forest is a very special place. We want to share our collective stories.
Meet the team
Jacqui Ibbotson
(she/her)
Programme Director
“It is a privilege to work with the wonderful people of the New Forest, who enrich the programme with their ideas and values, all contributing to growing a thriving cultural scene for everyone all year round.”
Cicely Oreffo
(she/her)
Programme Administrator
“I am excited to collaborate with communities in the New Forest on projects that encourage artistic and cultural connection. The creativity and expressiveness of people across the district is inspiring.”
Jessica Sellwood
(she/her)
Events Marketing Officer
“I’m thrilled to use my marketing skills to connect the community and highlight the vibrant events happening around us. I believe that sharing our cultural experiences strengthens our community and enriches our lives.”
Jemma Corbin
(she/her)
Community Arts Producer
“I’m inspired by the people of the New Forest, their stories and experiences, and am delighted to be working with the community on projects that support greater creativity, connection, and wellbeing.”
Penny Woods
(she/her)
Head of Place-based Development
“It’s been brilliant to see Culture in Common come to life and be shaped by local people in the District. It’s exciting for us to see how their ideas might spark opportunities to be creative and more active at the same time!”
Helen Wallis-Dowling
(she/her)
Community Arts Producer
“I love that one of the key values of Culture in Common is that its work is co-created by local people across the New Forest. The creativity that exists in communities is so inspiring and it’s a privilege to support people to share their skills, talents and ideas.”
Our host and partners
Culture in Common is managed differently. We aren’t a company or an organisation. Instead we are governed by a consortium of brilliant organisations bringing together skills from all across New Forest and Hampshire.
The host organisation – a charity that champions physical activity for all in Hampshire.
The collective of professional arts and cultural organisation based in the New Forest.
A charity improving the lives of children and young people in our community.
The local government authority for New Forest District
Responsible for promoting the purposes of the New Forest National Park and those who live and work it.
Culture in Common is part of Arts Council England’s Creative People and Places programme (CPP). Creative People and Places is about more people taking the lead in choosing, creating and taking part in arts and culture experiences in the places where they live. There are 38 projects, each located in a place where people previously had less opportunity to take part in arts and culture.