Unsung Stories
Made possible by support from players of People's Postcode Lottery. Unsung Stories is an annual arts-based strand of Heritage Open Days, focusing on aspects of heritage that have been overlooked or pushed to the sidelines.
Each year, the Unsung Stories project reflects a major cultural anniversary or issue. We commission artists to work with local organisers, bringing to life stories - both individual and collective - that have not been highlighted before.
- Dare to Dream (2019) - This year we will be exploring People Power in all its forms, including the chance to stage or join a workshop created by award-winning activist and founder of the Craftivist Collective, Sarah Corbett.
- put her forward (2018) - In a year that marked the centenary of the Representation of the People Act and 90 years since Equal Franchise Women's Suffrage Act we spotlighted women's history. Interactive theatre-makers, non zero one, worked with organisers across England to highlight the stories of Extraordinary Women today.
- Unsung stories 2017 - The fiftieth anniversary of the Sexual Offences Act provided a focus for LGBTQ history for our inaugural commission, which focused on four specific stories.
This work reflects HODs's belief that history belongs to all of us. Sharing stories, all our stories, is at the core of Heritage Open Days and these events extend the range and scope of our work in exciting and innovative ways.