WORD

WORD is a year-round programme of innovative arts projects and events in Islington which bring together ARTS, LIBRARIES & COMMUNITIES.

Established in 2012, WORD brings arts, libraries and communities together to create, share and experience new and original work, providing a platform for new and often unheard voices and stories. WORD2021 - Autumn #WellConnected - 1-10 October 2021 is the second of festivals marking YEAR #10 (the first part ran from 17-30 June 20201). Our autumn edition will celebrate projects and activities which promote wellbeing and reduce isolation and loneliness, brought to you by the arts, libraries and resident communities.This 10-day celebration coincides with Libraries Week (4-10 Oct), National Poetry Day (7 Oct) and the UN International Day of Older Persons (1 Oct).

WORD2021 -AUTUMN PROGRAMME:

Discover the story of the first 9 years of WORD festival: HERE

@WORDISLINGTON Instagram feed:

Photo by Tim Smyth

All Change works in collaboration with a collective of core partners – The WORD Association: - Lyrix Organix, House of Illustration, Key Changes, Upswing and Islington Libraries, to develop and deliver a programme of activity which uses arts and culture to connect people - reducing isolation and loneliness. 

Public facing events take place in June, October and March each year.

WORD is a unique and innovative initiative which has been an annual fixture in Islington’s cultural calendar since 2012, produced and curated by All Change – originally working with Islington Council’s Library and Arts teams and Free Word. Emerging in response to Islington Reads – the council’s reading strategy, it has seen libraries, arts companies and communities working together to improve mental health and wellbeing of local people through a programme of extraordinary arts projects, events and activities each year, taking place in football grounds and cafes, community centres and care homes, libraries and galleries, parks and playgrounds. WORD has a particular focus on engaging older people, young families, young people – and has seen participants perform alongside high profile emerging and established artists including Michael Rosen, Hussein Manawer, Cecilia Knapp and John Hegley; and work with companies including Art Angel and Cardboard Citizens.
From 2019 onwards, with support from Camden and Islington Public Health, WORD is becoming a year-round programme focusing on addressing isolation and loneliness.