What's On from September to December 2021

We're delighted to be introducing a season where we can welcome audiences, participants and learners back to Inspire. It’s going to be wonderful to see you experience live culture and learning once again in our libraries and beyond. Virtual events continue to feature and are a great opportunity to be inspired by something new from the comfort of your own home.

One of our headline events the Inspire Poetry Festival, will come to you this year with a blended in-person and online programme. Featuring performances by high-profile poets, writing and reading workshops, a book launch and a new poetry and heritage exhibition, you can get creative or just sit back and enjoy!

I’m really looking forward to seeing a rare live performance from multi award-winning poet Don Paterson in Southwell, the original home of the poetry festival. For an extra special poetry fix join us online for our AGM. I’m extremely honoured that celebrated author and poet Michael Rosen will be reading a poem commissioned by us to mark 5 years of Inspire.

Seeing children back in the library has been especially wonderful and this season has more fun for families. Our partnership with The Spark Arts for Children brings family theatre back to libraries after a year of virtual delivery. For under 5’s Story Explorers brings the magic of live storytelling back to the library floor, and Adventures in Music is back to spark the imagination with rhythm, music and movement. With the reopening of Worksop Library earlier this year we can once again host the family favourite Fun Palace in October – also with a sister event in Newark Library!

We will be welcoming back people living with dementia, their families and friends to our relaxed film screenings at Mansfield Central Library. Also open to the general public, this season features Paddington, Moonlight Bay and The Muppet Christmas Carol.

Explore our rich local heritage with talks, workshops and a walk, and join us online for family history sessions and a Christmas entertainment. There is something for everyone including historic buildings, a sporting great, the poignant story of boy soldiers plus access to 5 million documents at Nottinghamshire Archives. Look out for free events as part of Heritage Open Days!

Be inspired by the story of the Mayflower in The Big Draw workshops and exhibition. We showcase local creative talent in our Community Open and the Knittinghamshire Exhibition celebrates the efforts of Notts charity knitters.

So do join us in person or online, whether it’s for culture or to connect with your community; to get support with your business or use our IT facilities; to grow your skills or learn something new, there’s something for everyone and we are here to help and inspire you as we return to normal.