June 2020

In acknowledgment of the impact, the global situation has on the sector and in particular precariously positioned freelancers, we will be continuing to support all artists who have been written into our Spring / Summer programme; honouring agreed fees wherever possible and working with artists to revise thought provoking contributions to the programme and reimagine ways of staying connected. From live online lunch events , discussions, music and set design workshops and new film work, you can learn more about our upcoming digital Lincoln Live programme over on our Whats On page.

From the projects inception, the Takeover Programme has been intrinsic to Mansions of the Future’s ethos and vibrant cultural offer. In early 2020 over 60 community groups were making regular use of the space for free for social, cultural and educational activity.

After a lot of deliberation – conversations around feasibility and community wellbeing we have come to the incredibly difficult decision to announce that we will not be able to reinstate the Takeover programme. Mansions of the Future is a 3 year, temporary Ambitions for Excellence Funded project and this year marks our final, legacy year. With a scheduled project termination and building handover in September 2020. For the team, it feels neither feasible nor responsible to encourage multiple community groups, many of whom work with vulnerable adults to gather in our space between now and September. This decision has been incredibly difficult and has only the continued health, safety and wellbeing of our community in mind.

We are indebted to the community groups who have brought the building to life over the past few years and created such a close knit and energized creative community. 

We acknowledge the impact that this decision will have on many of you who host regular groups. The team will be actively lobbying for the value and importance of accessible, free and mixed use community space beyond the tenure of the project.
 
In these uncertain times our thoughts are with the most vulnerable in our community. We would like to encourage the Mansions of the Future community to come together and consider donating to the Lincoln Community Larder or Lincoln Foodbank who are both helping people in crisis at this difficult time. Perhaps it’s the money you would have spent on coffees if you were in the office this week, or a few pounds saved from not travelling into work. Every little really does make a difference.
 
#MotFCommunity #LincolnFoodbank