Arts and culture - The Churchill Fellowship

Arts and culture

About this theme

This theme covers all aspects of the arts, crafts and creative industries, including their social, cultural and economic aspects. It is one of the eight universal themes which form our grantmaking framework and allow us to address every aspect of society. Fellows’ stories

Blogs & conversations Bringing resilience to life through flax

Zoe Gilbertson looks back on her Fellowship exploring flax and bioregional resilience across Europe. She shares how learning from community-focused projects shaped her understanding of how local production can be rebuilt through culture, creativity, and collaboration. Now, through her organisation Liflad, she is working to revitalise flax and linen production in the UK, with her work being supported by growing networks and shared learning across Europe and beyond.

By Zoe Gilbertson, 2026

Blogs & conversations Songwriting for Confidence, Self-Expression, and Connection

During her Churchill Fellowship, songwriter Hannah Louise Partridge – known professionally as Anna Anise – explored how collaborative songwriting retreats in the United States help musicians build confidence, connection, and lasting creative networks. Drawing on visits to six retreat programmes, she reflects on the power of shared creative space to support wellbeing and sustain musical careers. Now applying this learning through her organisation CHORUS Songwriting CIC, she is developing retreats that strengthen community and widen access to songwriting across the UK.

By Hannah Louise Partridge, 2026

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