A special blog by Gary Thompson of Cable and Cameras

London Museum Docklands - No. 1 Warehouse - West India Quay - Canary Wharf - London E14 4AL

Date: Thu 28 Nov 2024

Over the past 6 months, I have been exploring Bristol’s music culture and its film archives. With the support of Black South West Network and i46media, I’ve developed a Jungle/D&B exhibition at the Centrespace Gallery in June. I have also been involved in a number of projects at the Bristol Central Library and the Easton Community Centre screening several documentary series focused on Bristol’s music scene from the 90’s accompanied by Q&A sessions with local DJs.

One thing that has arisen from these conversations is the lack of resources and support available in Bristol when it comes to diverse archives in local communities.

This has led me to The Box in Plymouth where museums have been developing projects with the local communities and with regional partners. I also had the opportunity to attend London’s Screen Archives Conference, a national conference discussing Black Archives in partnership with The New Black Film Collective. The theme of the conference was ‘Undocumented’ which focuses on addressing the gaps in representation within film archives.

This blog post recalls my experiences on the day of the conference, sharing what is happening in the archival community in London and throughout the United Kingdom. I also want to express my thanks for the support from The New Black Film Collective and BSWN in giving me the opportunity to attend the conference.

*Photo credit: London’s Screen Archives*

Archives hold immense power.

But many institutions remain unaware of the treasures they house, particularly when it comes to materials from under-served communities. This gap holds great potential for independent organizations and communities to take the lead in preserving their own histories. Organizations like the Hackett Archive and Sir Collins exemplify grassroots efforts in building archives without institutional support. These groups turn to their communities for involvement and assistance, highlighting the importance of collective action in safeguarding cultural heritage.

Preserving personal or community archives ensures that stories and materials are not lost to time. With the right guidance from supportive organizations and individuals, communities can create long-lasting archives that reflect their unique experiences and histories.

The younger generations are redefining archival practices. By building networks and embracing innovative methods, they are moving away from traditional approaches, creating archives that are both accessible and reflective of their communities.

Similarly, filmmaking projects such as Chocolate Films demonstrate how archival materials can be creatively showcased. Their short film, now a permanent feature at the London Design Museum, sets an example of innovative archival use. Despite these successes, many institutions hesitate to adopt similar approaches. For instance, some fail to dedicate spaces to diverse archives, such as with Black music or Black British history. This reluctance from the institutions effectively limits access and visibility for historically significant content.

Community groups must then take ownership of their own archiving efforts. Projects like Newham Library’s initiative provide a model by offering workshops, screenings, and practical training for preserving materials. Key actions include things like accessible guidance which is crucial for helping communities preserve their materials effectively. Essential resources should also be included in recognition that some under-served communities may lack them in the first place. These efforts should not be limited to annual events like Black History Month but should be ongoing to build a year-round culture of preservation.

To sustain archival efforts, we must build partnerships with universities, museums, and community groups. Where traditional partnerships fall short, communities can adopt a DIY approach by creating archives that grow from within. By embracing collaboration, innovation, and education, communities can preserve their histories and amplify their voices. Whether through outreach projects, grassroots efforts, or institutional support, every step toward preserving diverse archives enriches our collective cultural memory.

There were a number of panel discussions I found very interesting and informative, all filled with hosts who are highly credible in their fields of expertise such as: Dr. June Givanni (Film Curator and Founder of the June Givanni Pan-African Cinema Archive), Rachel Wang (Co-Founder of Chocolate Films), and Arike Oke (Executive Director of Knowledge, Learning, and Collections at the BFI).

The panelists on each talk were experts in their own right, hailing from across the UK. This included Dr. Mykaell Riley, a Senior Lecturer and Director of the Black Music Research Unit (BMRU), and Principal Investigator for Bass Culture Research at the University of Westminster, and Co-curator of Beyond the Baseline at the British Library; Brónagh McAtasney, Access and Outreach Officer at Northern Ireland Screen; Shivaya Prasad, Development Officer at the North West Film Archive; and Rai Terry, Community Engagement and Outreach at The Southside Home Movie Project in Chicago. This diverse group brought a wealth of knowledge to the conference.

The discussions were in-depth and focused, highlighting the importance of diversity in archiving and the need for increased investment and education in all regions of the UK. The sessions explored how organisations develop programs in their communities, how communities respond to support from independent groups and institutions, and how they benefit from outreach programs, exhibitions in NPOs or libraries, and engagement with diverse audiences.

A common theme across many regions was a lack of resources, support, and knowledge when projects focus on diverse communities and their voices and heritage. Most organisations have only one person of colour working for them who often become the sole representative of an entire community. This may be due to funding constraints or a lack of interest in these communities to engage with organisations.

Some organisations, such as Hackney Archives and the Black Cultural Archives, are actively engaging with their communities through outreach projects and collaborations with independent archives like the Sir Collins Collection. The Southside Home Movie Project in Chicago offers an inspiring model where older generations submit films for screening, digitization, and education. This approach has led to a greater understanding of local history and has encouraged institutions to delve deeper into these topics.

In conclusion, the conference highlighted the need for increased collaboration, investment in community projects, and regional partnerships to share knowledge and resources. Organising conferences in different regions, beyond London, could help support and empower communities across the UK. Additionally, there's a pressing need to identify and support individuals who are passionate about local history and to create networks that can help preserve and share these stories. By taking these steps, we can ensure that the rich history and culture of diverse communities are not lost to time.

Below are links to support the development of the Beyond The Baseline exhibition sign the petition to support the exhibition and to be part of the mailing list :

SIGN PETITION HERE

JOIN THE MAILING LIST!

Here are links to organisations and people that were involved in the conference:

https://blackculturalarchives.org

https://news.hackney.gov.uk/sir-collins-unique-archive-collection-made-accessible-for-future-generations/

https://www.londonsscreenarchives.org.uk

https://sshmp.uchicago.edu

https://www.chocolatevideoproduction.co.uk

https://www.tapecollective.co.uk

https://www.mmu.ac.uk/north-west-film-archive

https://northernirelandscreen.co.uk

https://www.junegivannifilmarchive.org

https://www.decolonisingthearchive.com/

https://bmru.co.uk

https://www.cablesandcameras.com