On 16 April 2026, HRH the Duke of Edinburgh spent the day exploring the varied landscape of cultural and creative activities across the Isle of Wight - meeting groups recently funded by our 'CAN YOU HEAR US?' micro-grant programme.

The visit offered a window into how creativity, culture, heritage, and education are woven and celebrated into everyday life.

The journey began in Newport at Quay Arts, a strong pillar for the creative community and a central home for the Island's cultural ambition. Combined with the nearby Jubilee Stores, where local artists live and breathe their practice within dedicated studios, it forms a significant site for both the creation and the celebration of the arts.

Here, His Royal Highness met with several key organisations, from Shademakers, the New Carnival Company, and IW Open Studios.

Following a tour of the arts centre, the Duke moved to the Anthony Minghella Theatre to hear about some of the surprising ways in which people are getting involved in everyday creativity through the CAN YOU HEAR US? programme.

Delivered by Creative Lives in partnership with Creative Island, (and funded by Arts Council England, with support from Isle of Wight Council), the micro-grant strand of this programme supports community-led projects where creative activities are running between March and October 2026, including craft workshops, music, storytelling, performance and hands-on making.

Many of the projects focus on people creating things together, often connected to local places, heritage and the natural environment.

Speaking with four specific groups: The Young Farmers, the IW Indonesian Community, In Focus, and HMP Isle of Wight, these conversations highlighted how traditional crafts, mural painting, and reflective creative practice are being used to connect people and celebrate local identity.

Studies in community development suggest that micro-funding acts as a vital seed-bed investment, where small-scale support directly correlates with increased local agency and a sense of belonging within isolated or overlooked populations.

The afternoon continued in Ventnor at the Exchange and the Arts Club, where The Duke met with a local choir and film club to see how these spaces foster a sense of shared creativity. The visit concluded in Brading, where His Royal Highness toured the Roman Villa with representatives from the museum sector, before presenting the King’s Award for Voluntary Service at the Village Hall to celebrate the local community’s dedication.

Gavin Stride, Director of Creative Island and Chair of Creative Lives said: “This is a great opportunity to express confidently the ambition and beauty of the Isle of Wight. To remind The Duke of the range of people engaged in creativity and capturing the history of our communities. We are really pleased to be hosting this visit as we prepare for six weeks of the CAN YOU HEAR US? programme, happening later this year, that celebrates all that the Island is.”

Max May, Chief Executive of Creative Lives added: "Creative Lives is delighted to be part of the CAN YOU HEAR US? celebration of creativity and culture on the Isle of Wight. Through our partnership with Creative Island, we have funded 26 diverse creative projects. Our mission is to champion the grassroots groups who are so often the unsung heroes of our communities. We are thrilled that a selection of the CAN YOU HEAR US? projects are getting royal recognition. Having their dedication recognised by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, is a wonderful testament to the power of community-led creativity."

You can read about all the groups funded via the CAN YOU HEAR US? micro-grants programme here.