National Lottery Heritage Fund grant awarded for ‘The Factory’

An award granted by the National Lottery Heritage Fund will allow us to implement ‘The Factory’, a new photography and exhibition project connecting young people from south Bristol with the people and history surrounding Tobacco Factory in Bristol.

Supported through The National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Factory is a photography project that explores how and why the community around Tobacco Factory has evolved and changed over time. Young people, aged 9 to 16 from local primary, secondary and SEND schools, will be trained in photographic practices while developing their understanding and experience of heritage research. It will also offer careers opportunities and intergenerational community engagement.

Tobacco Factory was once a thriving employer and pillar of industry in the heart of a working class community, in which it employed over 40% of local people. It had a huge impact on the people, landscape and communities that helped to build and shape south Bristol.

The young people involved in this project will attend workshops at boomsatsuma studios at Tobacco Factory to work with a heritage consultant to learn about the local history, learn photography practices and use them to tell these stories. They will also meet, and network with, photography and heritage professionals to discover creative and cultural pathways and jobs for the future.

The photographs will result in an exhibition at Tobacco Factory, showcasing and celebrating the creative practices and learning of the local young people. The curated exhibition will also be shared on a bespoke online platform to ensure access is inclusive on a national and international scale.

About The National Lottery Heritage Fund

Using money raised by the National Lottery, we Inspire, lead and resource the UK’s heritage to create positive and lasting change for people and communities, now and in the future. www.heritagefund.org.uk.

Follow @HeritageFundUK on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and use #NationalLotteryHeritageFund

For further information, images and interviews please contact phil@boomsatsuma.com