20th May 2025
Pub Cultures: Meet Amy Scott-Pillow, Artist for The Raven and Bine
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We are Southampton Forward
Working in partnership on projects rooted in culture and creativity
Southampton Forward are a charity working in partnership across culture, festivals, events, tourism and cultural regeneration. Striving to transform Southampton through citywide and regional collaboration.
In image: street artist Carleen de Sözer
In image: street artist ELNO
Introducing TAPESTRY – A New Festival of Music & Culture in Southampton
On 19 and 20 July 2025, Southampton Forward presents TAPESTRY, a brand-new festival celebrating world-class music and culture at Westquay Esplanade. Inspired by the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen, the festival reimagines her love of folk music with a contemporary, global twist—bringing together a diverse lineup of acclaimed musicians in an eclectic showcase of genres and influences.
With free entry and an open-air setting against Southampton’s historic medieval walls, TAPESTRY brings together world-class artists, rising stars, and exclusive collaborations for a vibrant celebration of Southampton’s rich cultural landscape and its unique connection to Jane Austen in 2025.
Tapestry is proudly sponsored by Westquay, the host venue, and supported by Arts Council England, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and Southampton Forward’s Founding City Partners.
Find out more about the festival and the full lineup at TapestryFestival.co.uk.
City Reflections 2026: Community and Archive Project Coordinator
We are looking for a freelance Community and Archive Project Coordinator to join us for our second City Reflections project. The role runs from running from June to September 2025, and involves coordinating community engagement and archival elements, including liaising with Southampton City Council’s Archive team, managing digitisation processes, and supporting community curators.
City Reflections 2026: Lead Curator
Southampton Forward is seeking a freelance Curator to support the delivery of City Reflections 2026 — a city-wide light art trail illuminating Southampton’s heritage through large-scale digital projections. This role will support community curators in working with Southampton’s world-class archives, helping to shape compelling, community-led narratives from the city’s art, heritage and archaeological collections
City Reflections 2026: Community Curators
Southampton Forward are looking for five community curators to work with us from June to October 2025, exploring archives, attending workshops, and helping shape the content of the projections. Each curator will be paired with a heritage site and theme, and will represent the voices and stories of their community in the creative process.
CULTURE
CREATIVITY
COMMUNITY
CULTURE
CREATIVITY
COMMUNITY
About Us
We are a charity with ambitious plans to put Southampton on the map, working across culture, festivals, events, tourism and cultural regeneration. Through our partnerships across the city and with communities, we strive to showcase the city’s potential and acheive long-lasting change.
Meet Our Local Connectors
Local Connectors are trusted and well-known individuals who bring people together, support local solutions, and share our belief in the power of culture to address everyday challenges. Anjali, co-founder of the Hampshire Indian Community, is one of our amazing connectors—championing community events and cultural projects across Southampton.
Home Theatre Southampton
Watch the Making Of Home Theatre Southampton film here and discover how people’s stories were transformed into unique pieces of theatre
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Southampton Forward 2024 Highlights
Here’s a glimpse of the remarkable projects and events we’ve brought to life in 2024, made possible by the passion and support of our partners, communities, and supporters. Southampton’s creativity and diversity continue to inspire us, making 2024 a year to remember.
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I was born and raised in Southampton and this place means a lot to me. I’m so glad to be part of something really relevant to people.
Anna,
Director , Home Theatre
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The most rewarding part for me was being part of something that gives back to the community and celebrating the things that the community does.
Holly,
Photographer , City Reflections
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Not only is the event itself an opportunity, but you meet other artists, you get connected to like a network, which before was sort of missing.
Edgar Lashaju,
Artist, Multi-Stories
Sponsored by:
Supported by:
City Partners:
