CURIOUS HISTORIES, a new project from North East arts and youth charity Curious Arts, is launching in the region to uncover, preserve, and celebrate stories from the North East LGBTQIA+ community.
After a successful pilot project in Newcastle in 2024, the charity is now inviting participants in County Durham and Sunderland to participate in the project this February. In the past, LGBTQIA+ lives were often overlooked or shrouded in mystery and this event is a chance to change that narrative for future generations. The charity is inviting people to bring along an object which plays a part in their story of being part of the queer community in the North East. These objects will then be photographed, along with their owners if they wish, and preserved along with the story they represent in an archive of voices from across the region. Attendees are also invited to join in with protest banner making workshops and work with artists to map important moments in the area’s history.
The events are taking place at Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle on Saturday, 22 February and Keel Square Pavilion, Sunderland on Sunday 23 March 2025.
Samuel Allenby, Heritage Coordinator at Curious Arts said, “Following a growing interest in LGBTQIA+ heritage and the success of our pilot project ‘When You Were Me’ in 2024, we’re excited to launch Curious Histories. In the past, LGBTQIA+ stories and history have been less studied and/or recorded. Through events like these, we aim to build awareness and share untold stories for all to see. It’s important to amplify LGBTQIA+ voices and ensure visible histories live on. Together, with members of the community, we’ll preserve stories and photographs through a growing online archive.”
Eleanor Thirlway, Curator of Co-production at Bowes Museum said, “We’re really excited to work with Curious Arts on this project, as it ties in perfectly with the work we’re doing with our ‘Be You’ group at The Bowes Museum. LGBTQIA+ lives have often been overlooked, and this event is a chance to change that. By bringing in personal objects and sharing stories, we’re creating a digital archive that celebrates individual journeys. It’s also an opportunity to map meaningful moments in Teesdale and create protest banners that speak to each person’s story. We can’t wait to be part of it and help make these voices more visible.”
The Sunderland activation is part of Culture House Sunderland’s pre-opening programme, working with communities across Sunderland and beyond in the run up to the venue’s opening in autumn 2025. The project is funded by the UK Government as part of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. This event is supported by Arts Council England, Culture House Sunderland, & Funded by UK Government.
Leanne Littlewood, Culture House Director said, “We’re very excited to work with Curious Arts to support an LGBTQIA+ digital archive. The event taking place at Keel Square Pavilion will start to bridge a gap of representation in history, ensuring that LGBTQIA+ lives in Sunderland are documented and future generations are able to accurately learn about stories directly from those who lived them, and help us to develop relationships with LGBTQIA+ communities. We can’t wait to see what objects the community in Sunderland bring in to be photographed and preserved online for future. Make sure to also join the friendly Curious Arts team to create your own protest banner and to locate important moments in LGBTQIA+ history of Sunderland on a map. It’s going to be a great day and we’re looking forward to making LGBTQIA+ voices heard.”
This event is just one of a series of events celebrating and sharing LGBTQIA+ stories in Teesdale over the coming month. Every Tuesday The Bowes Museum is hosting ‘Be You at The Bowes, an online or in-person group discussing identity, gender and representations of the body within the picture gallery space, as well as uncovering items within the collection that capture something about LGBTQIA+ histories. Visitors can also explore the Bowes’ collection in a captivating new tour for 2025, highlighting a selection of objects and artworks with LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual) stories spanning from Ancient Greece to the 20th century, including iconic pieces and hidden gems alike.
Curious Arts is also a supporting partner of Pride in Teesdale, a vibrant initiative dedicated to supporting young people, individuals, and families within the LGBTQIA+ community. Pride in Teesdale events are taking place throughout the year, including a film of Pride in Teesdale, a culmination of a project led by YMCA Teesdale working with local young people, to explore what it means to be part of the LGBTQ+ community in rural and isolated communities and Pride Outside, an installation, crafted from fabric, rope, recycled paper and reused plastics, by Disabled sculptor and Drag King Lady Kitt is a folk-art inspired shrine to Pride in rural communities and places. Both events are taking place at The Witham and a full events programme can be found on the Pride in Teesdale website.
Find out more and book your tickets for Curious Histories t via the link below:
Bowes Museum, Sat 22 February (11:00am – 2:00pm): https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/curious-histories-the-bowes-museum-tickets-1151903557549
Keel Square Pavilion, Sunderland on Sun 23 March (11:00am – 3:00pm):
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/curious-histories-sunderland-tickets-1151375628499