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 #WellConnected – 17-30 June & 1-10 October 2021 will mark YEAR #10 with special blended editions of the festival, featuring online and offline activity from All Change, Key Changes, Lyrix Organix, House of Illustration and more!
WORD2021 is made possible with support from:
Camden & Islington Public Health and Islington Council’s Community Festivals Fund
“It is great to see the WORD festival adapting to lockdown, and bringing people together in these difficult times. As ever, I am so proud to see businesses and organisations in Islington stepping up to support our community and tackle loneliness. It is more important than ever to look out for one another, and I hope that the festival can bring some much needed joy to Islington residents.” Emily Thornberry MP
In 2020 and 2021 WORD has looked a little different to previous years. With local arts venues, libraries and community spaces navigating Covid-19 restrictions – we have been busy finding new ways to bring local residents, community and health partners together, keeping people connected and helping to reduce isolation and loneliness through creative activities. In June 2020, the #WordAssociation – All Change, Key Changes, House of Illustration, Lyrix Organix and Islington Library and Heritage Services – along with a host of other arts and community partners, presented WORD2020 #WellConnected – a special 2-week lockdown edition of the festival filled with online and offline activities and events – with work by and for isolated older people, young families, young people and those experiencing mental health problems. 2021 will see this programme developed further with blended festivals in June and October 2021.
WORD is a year-round programme of innovative arts projects and events in Islington. WORD brings arts companies, libraries and communities together to create, share and experience original work, providing a platform for new and often unheard voices and stories. WORD festivals take place in June, October and March each year, packed with inspiring activities and events for all ages.
WORD is about arts, libraries and communities working together to reduce isolation and loneliness. WORD works with people of all ages and backgrounds, with a focus on engaging older people, young families, young people, and those experiencing isolation. Find WORD in football grounds and cafes, community centres and care homes, libraries and galleries, parks and playgrounds.
Follow: Twitter @WordIslington Instagram: @WordIslington
WORD is brought to you by: The WORD ASSOCIATION
All Change | Key Changes | House of Illustration | Lyrix Organix | Islington Library & Heritage Services – a collective of arts organisations and libraries working in partnership with local communities. Developing and providing a platform for new and original voices. Making connections between people.
WORD is produced by All Change
The #WordAssociation:
All Change – brings artists and communities together to create extraordinary art, promoting understanding and making connections between people. Key Changes – provides music services in hospitals and the community for people experiencing mental health problems. House of Illustration –the UK’s only public gallery dedicated solely to illustration and graphic art. Founded by Sir Quentin Blake it opened in July 2014 in King’s Cross, London. Lyrix Organix – The Space between language and music. The Bridge between events and education. Youth-led programmes around the world that support charities and social action. The finest UK and international spoken word, rap, beatbox and live music. Islington Libraries and Heritage Services – enable people to realise their full potential by providing them with full and equal access – appropriate to their various needs – to information, ideas, knowledge and creative works.
WORD… the Story so Far:
Islington’s Word Festival launched in 2012, running annually since, originally as a partnership between Islington Council’s Library and Heritage Services, Arts Service, All Change and Free Word, and since 2017 as the wider #WORDAssociation partnership. WORD set out, to grow a relationship between Islington’s Libraries and the rich local arts infrastructure, and to bring the Council’s vision for a fairer Islington to life through supporting the animation of its Reading Strategy – Islington Reads. WORD has become a major event in the Islington’s cultural calendar, a unique month-long celebration of words and their power to transform lives, reaching 30,000+ residents of all ages as participants and audiences annually. WORD has been delivered through a programme of specially commissioned arts projects, designed to encourage residents of all ages across Islington to develop their enjoyment of reading, writing and freedom of expression through participation in high quality arts activities and events. Since 2015, WORD has extended its reach and impact with a particular focus on improving the mental health and wellbeing of older people, young people and families, and on addressing loneliness and isolation – and providing a platform for sharing work created by these groups alongside exceptional artists.
WORD 