Collective Encounters, a local arts charity specialising in Theatre for Social Change, have been awarded £48,765 by The National Lottery Heritage Fund for Radical Retrospectives, a landmark project to celebrate its 20th anniversary.
Since its establishment in 2004, Collective Encounters has been working across Liverpool City Region and beyond to centre the unheard stories of the communities who shape the region’s grassroots culture, through a time of huge political and social change, tackling local, national, and international concerns through creative expression.
The Radical Retrospectives project, made possible thanks to National Lottery players, aims to document and contextualise the stories of marginalised individuals and communities within the Liverpool City Region. The project will provide a platform for people with experience of homelessness, complex needs, long-term unemployment, migration, the care system, dementia, mental and/or physical ill health and poverty to tell their story and highlight the creativity of those often overlooked by mainstream media.
Aidan Jolly, Co-Artistic Director and project lead, said “We’re delighted that the award will allow the communities we work with to tell their stories, and document the changes they have witnessed in the amazing social and cultural environment of Merseyside”
The project will engage stakeholders through a series of activities, including community-led research, archival initiatives, and the production of a podcast series. By involving participants in the development of the digital archive and podcast episodes, Radical Retrospectives seeks to empower individuals to shape the narrative of their own experiences and contribute to the broader discourse on social change.
Helen Featherstone, Director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund said: “We are proud to award this grant to Collective Encounters for an important project that will work with local people to explore the history of social change. Thanks to National Lottery players, the stories of marginalised communities will be preserved, ensuring that their voices and memories can be heard for generations to come.”
Whether you’re a current or former participant, a collaborator, a partner organisation, or simply an advocate for radical culture, Collective Encounters invites you to join in shaping this visionary project.
To kickstart the project, Collective Encounters will host a hybrid launch event, welcoming both local stakeholders and a national audience of arts for social change practitioners. The event will provide attendees with insights into the project’s objectives and opportunities for involvement.
For more information about Radical Retrospectives and upcoming events, visit the Collective Encounters website or contact cearchive@collective-
In-Person Event:
Date: June 10th, 2024
Time: 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Bluecoat, School Lane, Liverpool, L1 3BX
Online Event:
Date: June 10th, 2024
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM