Marking the 250th anniversary of American Independence, the programme explored Boston’s historic connections to the USA while launching community conversations around cultural plans for 2030 – the 400th anniversary of the founding of Boston, Massachusetts, by settlers from Boston, Lincolnshire.
Taking place across multiple locations, We Are Boston invited residents and visitors to explore the town’s past, present and future through creative projects that reflected its identity, creativity and communities.
A Moment to Reflect
July 2026 marked 250 years since the United States declared independence. In Boston, Lincolnshire, this anniversary provided an opportunity to reflect on shared histories and global connections, while focusing on the people, places and stories that shape the town today.
Across exhibitions, installations and experiences, the programme highlighted Boston’s evolving identity, rooted in heritage yet shaped by contemporary voices.
Looking towards 2030
As Boston approaches the 400th anniversary of the founding of Boston, Massachusetts, We Are Boston began an important conversation about the town’s future.
The programme invited communities to consider:
- What will Boston look like in 2030?
- How will we tell its story?
- And how can culture play a role in shaping a shared vision?
Through the programme, local communities were invited to take part in these conversations and help shape what comes next.
Experiencing the Town Differently
At its heart, We Are Boston was about pride, participation and possibility.
Through art and culture, residents and visitors were encouraged to experience place in new ways, seeing, hearing and feeling the town differently. Whether stepping inside a Luminarium, exploring exhibitions or following heritage trails, the programme encouraged new perspectives and shared experiences.
Programme Highlights
We Are Boston brought together immersive experiences, exhibitions, performances and community events across the town.
At the heart of the programme was Arborialis, the spectacular Luminarium by Architects of Air, which transformed Central Park into a world of colour, light and sensory exploration.
Visitors also experienced Our Voyage, Electric Egg’s animated film exploring the Mayflower story and its lasting impact; enjoyed outdoor performances from Rhubarb Theatre, Derwent Valley Drummers and Meet the Sheep; and discovered a wide range of exhibitions and installations at Shodfriars and Fydell House.
These included works by Rachel Carter, Steven Hatton, Bartosz Fedkowicz, Ruth Pigott and collaborators, alongside displays celebrating local heritage, craft, migration and community.
Together, these activities invited residents and visitors to explore Boston’s past, reflect on its present and imagine its future.
Explore Boston’s American Connections
Alongside the programme, visitors were invited to discover a trail of public artworks reflecting Boston’s links to America. These included:
- Horizon at Scotia Creek
- Pilgrim Women sculptures
- Etched in Time plaques
- Dolphin Lane mosaic
Visitors could also explore these stories in greater depth through Radical Routes. And you can still explore them now!
Part of a Wider Vision
We Are Boston formed part of Transported’s next phase of work, Mind the Gap, which aims to connect with new communities and build meaningful, long-term engagement across Boston.
It was a bold and engaging week of art, light and discovery—part of shaping Boston. There’s still time to tell us your thoughts via our Contact Us page
FUNDING
This programme was partly funded by Arts Council England in partnership with Transported and Architects of Air, with funding support from Boston Borough Council. The event was also funded in part thanks to Boston Preservation Trust (BPT) through their National Heritage Lottery grant, made possible by National Lottery players. Additional support from Future of the Past (SoundLincs), StoryTellers NPO and a Arts Council England project grant in partnership with the Boston Hanse Group.
Gallery
Take a look back at We Are Boston through the lens of Electric Egg. This gallery showcases highlights from across the programme, celebrating the artists, participants and communities who helped shape the project.
The collaboration began with banner making workshops with artist Ruth Piggott, all the way back in 2018 to create artworks the group could display year on year.
Now, thanks to successful funding bids from Arts Council England and support from Boston Borough Council, the partnership has been able to mark Hanseatic Day in Boston for two years in a row with a bright and joyful festival.
For several years, Transported and the Boston Hanse Group, a volunteer-led heritage focused organisation, have joined forces to mark International Hanseatic Day, spotlighting Boston’s connection to the historic and modern Hanseatic League – a network of over 197 towns and cities across northern Europe promoting cultural, social and economic exchange.
Boston joined the New Hanse in 2015, recognising its rich medieval history as one of Britain’s most important ports, once trading Lincolnshire wool for fish, furs and timber and attracting merchants from across Europe.
This history has shaped the themes and materials for the artwork created for the project. And a key element of the project is that the festival artwork is made by the community in free workshops and offered Bostonians a chance to walk in the parade procession – fostering community pride.
Transported’s director, Nick Jones said: “We are really excited at this award from Arts Council England as a recognition of the importance of this home-grown festival to offer exciting arts experiences but also for the opportunity it provides for more people to be actively involved. Transported is keen to develop the ability to create quality festivals to build aspiration and ambition so they grow each year.”
Looking Back: Highlights from Previous Years
Each year, the festival has grown more ambitious, more creative and more joyful.
The medieval market on the square around the Ingram Memorial was brought alive with:
- A working blacksmith’s forge, complete with glowing coals
- Woodcarvers, spinners and mosaic artists demonstrating traditional skills
- A jester entertaining families
- Heritage‑inspired food tastings
- Free creative activities, including sheep-themed headdresses inspired by Lincolnshire’s wool trade
- Dance and live music infusing the market with energy
Stunning parades (led by Mayors and members of the Hanse group) featuring:
- The Derwent Valley Drummers, wearing extraordinary wool-inspired headdresses created by artist Ruth Pigott in workshops with local residents
- The Lincoln Waites, filling the streets with medieval rhythms
- Dancers from the Josie Clarke Dance Academy, performing routines choreographed by Beth Williams
- Ten vibrant silk-painted flags, designed with the public in silky batik-style workshops by artist Donna Fox
The result was a truly Boston celebration – proud of its past, shaped by its communities, and overflowing with creativity.
Each year, the festival has grown more ambitious, more creative and more joyful.
On Saturday 30th May, between 10am-1pm, the medieval market on the square around the Ingram Memorial will be alive with:
- A working blacksmith’s forge, complete with glowing coals
- Woodcarvers, spinners and mosaic artists demonstrating traditional skills
- A jester entertaining families
- Heritage‑inspired food tastings
- Free creative activities including sheep collage-making with Aga Kowalska
- Dance and live music infusing the market with energy
The day will culminate in a stunning parade at 12:40pm featuring:
- New for 2026, stunning banners have been created by Boston residents’ original collage designs inspired by Boston’s heritage in free workshops earlier this year with Aga Kowalska, then transformed into vibrant textile banners in quilting workshops with more community members led by and then finished off with Vicki Reid, semi-finalist from BBC’s Great British Sewing Bee (Series 9) — they’ll be carried by the community makers in the parade
- The Derwent Valley Drummers wearing Lincolnshire Longwool Sheep headdresses created by the Boston community in sessions with Ruth Pigott in 2025
- The Lincoln Waites, filling the streets with medieval rhythms
- Dancers from the Josie Clarke Dance Academy, performing routines choreographed by Beth Williams in silk painted skirts created by Donna Fox
- Ten vibrant silk-painted flags, designed with the public in silk batik-style painting workshops by artist Donna Fox in 2025
- Ships costumes made by Rhubarb Theatre with, and worn by, Boston High School students
- Lincolnshire Longwool sheep and lamb puppets created by Robbie Bellekom, puppeteered by Robbie and performer Hannah Peacock, also new for 2026
- Stiltwalker Laura Hudson, wearing a bespoke skullcap-inspired costume created by Ruth Pigott with help from Centrepoint Outreach participants, informed by a design created in this year’s collage workshops
The procession will make its way slowly from Ingram Memorial, through Pescod Square Shopping Centre, down Wide Bargate, back past Ingram Memorial and will process and finish inside St Botolphs.
And at 12:40pm, the streets will burst into life with the Hanse Parade – a riot of colour, movement and sound winding through the town centre and ending at the Stump.
Transported is proud to be working with local residents in the months leading up to the festival to create new banners, costumes and parade pieces through hands‑on workshops with professional artists.
We’re thrilled to have on a offer a series of free workshops for the community to help create the artwork that will appear in the festival and parade.
check our events page for more info on the related workshops
