We’re over the moon to have been awarded a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for a new youth-led project which celebrates Burnley’s history of campaigning for equality.
“We are proud to award funding for Blaze Arts to support young people in exploring the lesser known but extremely important LGBT+ heritage of Burnley. Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, this history will now be shared with the wider community to highlight the local people who have paved the way for social change.” – David Renwick, Director, England, North (The National Lottery Heritage Fund)
Background
2021 marked the 50th anniversary of the first meeting of The Campaign for Homosexual Equality at Burnley Library in July 1971. The anniversary was marked with the unveiling of a new rainbow plaque outside the building.
The plaque has since sparked conversations and ideas amongst Burnley’s young people. They want to see more queer culture being celebrated in their local town.
About Stand Out
Stand Out, taking place between April and July 2022, will explore and reinterpret Burnley and Pendle’s LGBT+ heritage through the arts. Selected young people aged 13-25 will produce their own creative events and an exhibition.
“This project is about a new generation exploring their local history and having an active role in promoting diversity within their community. We’re really excited to see what they produce over the coming months!” – Helen, Director (Blaze)
The project will finish with a celebration event in July 2022 and the unveiling of the new exhibition. The exhibition will then tour libraries across Pennine Lancashire.
Get Involved
If you’re aged between 12-25 and want to get involved, all you have to do is fill in a short form with your contact details and we’ll be in touch to chat through next steps! If you want to ask any questions before filling in the form, get in touch with Helen.
This project is for you if you’re interested in any of these things:
- promoting diversity in your local area
- Creating things to do for young people
- Campaigning for LGBT+ rights
- Finding out about local history
- Developing your creative skills and working with professional artists
- Gaining transferable skills for your CV such as teamwork, event planning, budget management
As part of Stand Out you’ll get the chance to:
- Go on research trips to Lancashire Archives and People’s History Museum in Manchester
- Receive training and advice from creative professionals who will support you to bring your ideas to life
- Work with other young people to produce events and an exhibition about Lancashire’s LGBT+ history
Stand Out is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.