Safeguarding Birmingham’s Arts Heritage with ‘Young Artivists’ at Friction

People’s Heritage Co-operative is thrilled to announce a significant investment in Friction Archives through The National Archives Resilience Fund. Friction Arts is renowned for its socially engaged projects will work with ‘Young Artivists’ who will steer the project and act as Archivists for the Archives. This funding will ensure the long-term health and sustainability, preserving and making accessible the unique stories of Birmingham.

Friction Archives offers a vital perspective on Birmingham’s history. As Friction Arts prepares to move back into its newly refurbished arts venue, ‘The Edge’, this summer, this project will integrate the archive into the heart of its operations, ensuring preservation, access, and value are central to its practice.

The Archives themselves will be publicly accessible by appointment in the Edge, and maintained by out archive team of young Artivists. We will launch Friction Archives as part of CREATE Festival at Friction, starting 19th July 2025. Photos below are taken by young people, the first people to enter the building after it’s refurb (14th April). As you can see, builders have not yet left the building, and it was a great opportunity to meet Pete, the Project Manager and ask some questions.

The Resilience Fund project will focus on several key areas:

• Improved Organizational Stability: A comprehensive plan for the future of Friction Archives will be developed, covering finances and strategic direction, laying a solid foundation for sustainable growth.
• Enhanced Staffing Capacity: Increased staffing and improved skills through training and professional development will ensure the collections are cared for to the highest standards, meeting growing demands.
• Strengthened Archival Networks: Collaboration with Birmingham Archives and Collections, artists, and organizations across the region will foster stronger connections, secure resource sharing, and enhance archival care.
• Inclusivity and Clear Ownership: Effective policies and collection information will ensure inclusivity and clear ownership, reflecting the diverse voices of Birmingham. Regular engagement with “Young Archivists” in after-school clubs will ensure future collections represent and are represented by young artists and Birmingham people.
• Working Towards Archive Service Accreditation: This rigorous process will help assess and improve all aspects of operations, ensuring the highest standards of archival practice are met.

‘This funding will ensure the preservation and accessibility of our collection, and we are committed to work with People’s Heritage Co-operative to build on our collection, documenting our work with diverse and working class communities which have been historically under-represented in our City records. It is crucial for building a resilient and sustainable archive,” said Sandra Hall of Friction Arts. “We will make sure that our shared history is valued, protected, and accessible to all. We are committed to ensuring that these valuable historical records are owned by, and preserved with, future generations,.”

The project will ensure that Friction Archives is well-positioned to meet the challenges of the future and continue to serve the community for many years to come, preserving the unique stories of Birmingham through the eyes of its people. Thanks to the National Archives Resilience Fund supporting archives across the UK in developing sustainable practices and ensuring the long-term preservation of historical records.