Corn Exchange Newbury's 101 Outdoor Arts Presents
Creative Commons
- Saturday 13 & Sunday 14 Sep, 11am - 6pm
- Saturday 13 & Sunday 14 Sep 11am - 6pm /
- Free (no pre-booking required) /
- Greenham Common
Take a journey across Greenham Common where aerial circus, dance, street theatre, music and more bring to life this very special environment - and its rich and complex stories.
Creative Commons will transform Greenham Common - whether you love nature, enjoy the arts, or are just looking for a fun day out in beautiful surroundings, Corn Exchange Newbury's 101 Outdoor Arts invites you to experience a very special event at one of Newbury's best-loved and most fascinating green spaces.
Marking 25 years since Greenham Common returned to public ownership, come and celebrate its rich past and remarkable restoration – from military base to wildlife sanctuary – through this fascinating and interactive event.
On both Saturday and Sunday there will be performances and installations across Greenham Common perfect for all ages to get involved.
Dora Colquhoun’s Snakes Live Here that offers a playful audio-led journey across the Common. Audiences will wear headphones and meet Adderlaide, the spirit of the common, who will guide you on your journey where you will meet Heath and Heather Robinson, the eccentric couple who inhabit the Common Room (Teresa Verney-Brookes and Nick Garnet) - they’re just waiting to share their world with visitors! Experience South Asian dance from acclaimed choreographer Nandita Shankardass and see Gossamer Thread Circus’ tale of ecology and folklore on their 7-meter high trapeze rig. The Hide by Tilly Ingram will blend personal reflection with birdwatching. Dive deeper into the common and find peace in Yara + Davina’s provoking work Moral Compass, and join folk singer Louise Jordan and dancer/movement artist Divija Melally in exploring the resilience of the peace camp protesters.
You can take a magical storytelling walk on the Common in Rachel Lincoln’s nature odyssey for children or get lost in the woods with Simon Daw’s audio trail for young people, Unknown Forest. There will be creative nature and art workshops for all ages with Nature Nurture and a chance to learn fun circus skills with Gossamer Thread Circus.
Start your adventure at Venture West (https://w3w.co/ code.rush.parts) on Greenham Business Park, where activities run throughout both days. Since activities repeat over the two day event, you can arrive at any time that's convenient for you. While you're there, you can also visit The Base's Craft Fair for the launch of their Festival of Arts and Crafts on Greenham Business Park. A special shuttle bus will operate between The Base and the Greenham Common entrance for easy transportation.
Creative Commons is part of the Corn Exchange Newbury's 101 Outdoor Arts outdoor programme and funded by Greenham Trust and Arts Council England.
Can you help us?
We're looking for volunteers to help at Creative Commons!
Taking place across Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 September on Greenham Common, there will be 11 different locations spread across the site, with everything from aerial circus and live dance to wildlife workshops and nature trails.
We’re looking for volunteers who can help us support artists and audiences across the weekend. Our volunteers will play a key part in making this exciting event the perfect weekend out for everyone involved.
We’re looking for volunteers who could be available for the following time slots:
- Morning: 10.30am – 2.45pm, Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 September
- Afternoon: 2pm – 6pm, Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 September
OR
If you would be interested in helping us with the shifts above, or if you have some flexibility to volunteer at different times across the weekend, please get in touch by replying to this email by emailing sarah101@cornexchangenew.co.uk.
Five of our Seedbed 2025 Artists have been further commissioned to present work at Creative Commons:
The five artists are:
- Dora Colquhoun (Snakes Live Here)
- Teresa Verney-Brookes and Nick Garnet (Common Room - Heath and Heather Robinson)
- Yara + Davina (Moral Compass)
- Louise Jordan (working with Divija Melally)
- Rachel Lincoln (Common)
This year, our Seedbed Artists have pushed the boundaries of outdoor work, focusing on natural landscapes, heritage, environment, inclusion and public space.
Don't miss out on The Base's Festival of Arts & Crafts on the same weekend!
Location: Greenham Common
Produced in association with BBOWT, Museum of English Rural Life and Greenham Women Everywhere.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is Creative Commons? Creative Commons will be a two day programme of free outdoor arts events on Greenham Common drawing on the environment and heritage of the site celebrating the 25th anniversary of the return of the site to public ownership.
When and where is the event taking place? Creative Commons is taking place on Saturday 13 & Sunday 14 September from 11am - 6pm on both days. The majority of the pieces will be sited around the fireplane area of the Common close to the Greenham Business Park with satellite pieces to the rear of the Control Tower and along the woodland route from the fireplane towards the GAMA silos. Some of the pieces are static, others are promenade in nature.
How do I get to the event/Is there parking available? You can drive and park on Greenham Business Park or take the bus up to Greenham Business Park. From there we will be running a shuttle bus to the entrance to Greenham Common, or you can walk this distance.
Do I need a ticket to attend? No, pre-booking is not required for this free event.
What kind of performances can I expect? You can expect a range of performance types from aerial circus to dance, street theatre and music.
Is the event family-friendly? Yes. All the performance pieces are suitable for all ages.
Is the event accessible for people with disabilities? There are no steps, and the ground is reasonably level on the Business Park and the Common however, it’s worth noting that the paths around Greenham Common are mostly gravel paths and so can be uneven. Please advise our stewards of any access issues and we will do our best to help you. You can also discuss the accessibility of the performances/activities with out team in advance.
Will there be seating or shelter? Yes, there will be a small marquee and some bench/cushion seating available, but the majority of performances will be open air and no formal seating.
Will the event still run if it rains? Yes, come rain or shine the event will go ahead so please dress appropriately for the weather. However if for some reason the weather was to be deemed unsafe we would send out marketing comms with more information on the event.
Will food and drinks be available on site? There are food and drink concessions at The Base and there will be limited refreshments on the Creative Commons site.
Are toilets available? Yes, there will be toilets available.
Is the event suitable for dogs? Yes, dogs are welcome but at the owners’ discretion.
Will I be able to come and go throughout the day? Yes, the event is not ticketed so you’re welcome to come and go as you please.
Is there a programme or map I can use on the day? A programme with timings and a map will be available in advance online.
Will photography or filming be allowed? Yes, however we would ask you not to bring any drones.
What should I bring with me? Please bring with you some water and wear sensible footwear/bring waterproof jacket or sun hat/sun cream as appropriate.
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