IPSWICH ARTS ASSOCIATION
Promoting the Arts in Ipswich and Suffolk
music | dance | visual arts | drama | film | literature
Events
IAA LECTURES AND CONCERTS
Lecture 12th November 2026
Rooted in Place: Benjamin Britten
Lecturer: Dr Christopher Hilton, Head of Archive & Library
Explore the rich legacy of Benjamin Britten through the unique lens of his Suffolk roots. Or Hilton highlights how Britten’s deep connection to his native county is reflected in the collections at The Red House. He discusses iconic works such as Peter Grimes, inspired by the Suffolk coast, to community-focused pieces such as Noye’s Fludde and Welcome Ode -Britten’s final completed composition written for local schoolchildren….
IAA – Town LECTURES & CONCERTS
Presented at Museum Street Methodist Church, Ipswich IP1 2EF
(entrance in Black Horse Lane), From 1.00 to 1.50pm. Doors open 12.30pm.
ADMISSION IS FREE – with a retiring collection.
Donations of at least £5.00 per person are valued to maintain the series.
Refreshments, served 12.30 -1.55pm. are included.
Full details of the 2026 series on the TOWN LECTURES & CONCERTS page.
WHY BECOME A MEMBER
Some of the benefits of membership of the IAA
- Join a community of organisations with 100s of members dedicated to the Arts in Ipswich & Suffolk
- Promote your events via our listings pages, regular newspaper & magazine columns and at Ipswich Town Hall
- Reach an audience of committed supporters via our Lectures and Concerts series
- Share information and request support via our noticeboard webpage and social media
- Perform at one of our stages at the Ipswich Music Day
IAA welcomes groups, individuals & organisations from all areas of the arts – bands, choirs, dance, drama, ensembles, literature, poetry, the visual arts etc..
Discover the true story of witchcraft in the county with Suffolk Archive’s exhibition
Witches: Suffolk’s Dark Legacy, running 16 October 2026 to 21 February 2027.
It features world-class collections from across the UK never seen here before, including
The Malleus Maleficarum (The Hammer of Witches), King James I’s Daemonologie, and
Witchfinder General Matthew Hopkins’ The Discovery of Witches – all on loan from the British Library.
There are also loans from the V&A, Tate, The Wellcome Collection, Bodleian Libraries, and the National Archives.
They’re supported by the Weston Loan Programme with Art Fund and Suffolk-based logistic specialists Debach Enterprises.
Book https://suffolkarchives.co.uk/pages/witches
Ipswich Arts Association’s
fortnightly column in the
East Anglian Daily Times
NOTICEBOARD
See what’s happening – news, updates, vacancies, requests and more
Founded in 1976, Ipswich Children’s Book Group is a member of the Federation of Children’s Book Groups,
a network of groups across the UK whose aim is to bring children and books together. Membership is open to
anyone with an interest in children’s books. Over the years the book group has organised a wide range of book related
activities.These have included book fairs, author visits, picnics, talks on all aspects of children’s books and competitions.
The world of children’s books has changed greatly over the years, with a huge range of titles available.
Such a wealth of choice can be confusing and the group aims to offer advice on selecting children’s
books, as well as introducing children to the fun of reading through its activities.
Read about ICBG history in an article by Jayne Gould, secretary of ICBG – Click to open PDF
Find out more and learn about current events on facebook and/or instagram
featured artist
‘Rialto’ by Amanda Given
Amanda Given
IAA are pleased to present Featured Artists, a series with works by local artists, some from:
● The Ipswich Art Society
● Suffolk Open Studios
● Felixstowe Art Group
● Suffolk Art Society
● Woodbridge Art Club
With a new artist shown every three weeks or so.
Amanda Given spent her childhood in England and Northern Ireland. She has lived in Australia and retired from there to Felixstowe in 2014. An active Member of the Felixstowe Art Group,Amanda works in watercolour, ink, gouache or oils.
featured POEMS
We are pleased to present Featured Poems, a series of poems from members of the Suffolk Poetry Society.
A new poem will be presented every month.
The current poem is by Richard Whiting – Equinox
Richard Whiting
Ipswich Music Day 2026 – The IAA Stages
SUNDAY JULY 5th
Thank you to all our performers for being part of
Ipswich Music Day at the IAA Stages.
Thanks also to our four venues and to our
backstage crew for their invaluable help.
The Lower Tudor Room in Christchurch Mansion, St Margaret’s Church,
Bethesda Baptist Church and Ipswich Masonic Hall
Performers 2026
Clarinet Connection / Ipswich Chamber Choir / Wildflowers / Orwell Singers
South Suffolk Youth Jazz / Ipswich Choral Society / Felixstowe Harmonies
Ipswich Hospital Community Choir / Martlesham Brass / Suffolk Men’s Chorus
Blueberry Moon / Trianon / St Elizabeth Hospice Community Choir
In June 2025, a celebratory event was held at St Peter’s by the Waterfront Arts and Heritage Centre to
celebrate 25 years of the Charter Hangings 2000 – 2025. This brought together people who had contributed
to the creation of the Charter Hangings, sponsors and many others involved in their promotion.
To read more please click on the images below or HERE (opens pdf)
Or visit the dedicated Charter Hangings page on this site.
Currently open on Wednesday 12-2pm.
Summer openings begin May – September. Tuesdays 10am – 4pm / Wednesday 12noon – 2pm / Thursday 10am – 4pm
Volunteer
Ipswich Arts Association are keen to hear from volunteer stewards, to help with covering Tuesdays.
More details are contained on this page – Charter Volunteers
If interested or would like to know more about being involved, please email – Ann Cloke; charterhangings@ipswich-arts.org.uk