The idea
Led by award-winning writer & creative producer Ryan Gilmartin and visual artist Liz Kelleher from Old Hospital Trust...
South Lincolnshire has always had a sound — and a scene — of its own.
From the rocking 60s gigs at Boston’s Gliderdrome to the DIY parties of the 2000s in Spalding’s Sugarbeet Social Club.
But last year, when we surveyed 336 young people across the area, the message was loud and clear:
“There’s nothing to do here”
That exact phrase came up 24 times.
“It seems like the town is made for older people and young children — with a lack of things just for teenagers.”
— Eve, 17
See the survey: https://shorturl.at/7iFSy
This exhibition celebrates the resourcefulness and rebellion of generations of rural young people — and aims to ignite that spirit again.
Through photos, stories, and sound, it will dig into what it feels like to grow up in South Lincolnshire — from the Gliderdrome to now — and imagine what the next generation’s youth culture could look like.
What we'll deliver
- 3 fortnight-long photo exhibitions (1 in each place : Spalding, Boston & Spilsby)
- 9 free, inter-generational community workshop (3 in each location : Spalding, Boston, Spilsby)
- 1 launch event that will showcase teen artists and makers - uniting the future with the past & present.
- Create 1 new group of young curators aged 10-21
Why it's a great idea
The community get to contribute their photos and memories to the exhibition - allow their memories to be seen and form new connections across generations.
The artists will pass on the lessons of previous generations by teaching key skills (event management, marketing, budgeting etc) to our young curators.
This means they will takeaway from the project not just fun memories but transferrable skills in community building and how to run events that bring people together.
x 3 free, fortnight-long photo exhibitions in Spalding, Boston & Spilsby (likely to be held at Pescod Hall Boston, Spilsby Session House & Spalding Library)
x 9 free, inter-generational community workshops (3 in each location : Spalding, Boston, Spilsby)
x 1 launch event that will showcase teen artists and makers : uniting the future with the past & present.
- Create a group of young curators aged 10-21 who will meet regularly and learn all the skills needed to put on a community event.
Steps to get it done
- Community Workshops Begin (Feb - April)
- First Exhibition (May)
- Project Evaluation Report Delivered (End of June)
