This project focused on preserving our 40‑year heritage by reconnecting stories to people and sharing them in fresh ways. We revisited and celebrated our history through the eyes of individuals, communities, and artists across the North East. Working with heritage and archive specialists, we reflected on the past, understood the present, and shaped the future.
We aimed to shine a light on the people who shaped our work and our leading role in participatory arts with diverse communities. Volunteers, as always, played a crucial part in this journey. People were invited to get involved and help preserve our story through volunteering.
We began exploring the archive to uncover personal and collective stories, highlighting figures of social, creative, and political interest. Our goal was to organise the archive with the right systems, methods, and training to support public engagement. The surprising elements we uncovered were shared through an open archive and a series of screenings, films, events, and exhibitions.
Exhibition and sharing opportunities were secured across Gateshead and North Tyneside, culminating in events linked to creative and cultural zone plans. We worked towards creating a living archive with digital story documentation, co‑created with communities and local partners, capturing the impact of the community arts movement on today’s social and participatory arts practices.
