The Croydon Museum’s ‘Archives Can Be Anything’ exhibition will run from February 26 to May 10, showcasing creative works by ten local young people aged 14 to 18. This project, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, is part of celebrating Croydon’s role as the London Borough of Culture 2023 and aims to transform its archives digitally.
The Croydon Museum is hosting an exhibition titled ‘Archives Can Be Anything’, aimed at showcasing perspectives on its history through the eyes of local youth. Running from February 26 to May 10, the exhibition features creative works by ten young people, aged 14 to 18, known as the Young Archivists. This initiative is part of the Dynamic Collections project, with funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, celebrating Croydon’s status as the London Borough of Culture 2023.
Over the past year, the Young Archivists underwent training in archiving, digital skills, and project management, participating in creative workshops such as writing, illustration, and printmaking. They created various artistic pieces, including zines, films, and poetry, each inspired by Croydon’s archives, which house historical documents, newspaper articles, and community records. One notable artwork features a comic that depicts an alien landing in Croydon, prompting reflections on how the borough welcomes newcomers.
Another artwork is a mixed-media portrait highlighting an important figure from Croydon’s Global Majority population, integrating narratives of race and racism found within the archives. Additionally, an illustrated manifesto, inspired by archival maps, presents a youth-led vision of the borough’s future. Randal, a 19-year-old Young Archivist, shared his inspiration from a 1998 article about UFO sightings in New Addington, expressing that the project revealed Croydon’s diversity and unity.
Croydon’s executive mayor, Jason Perry, emphasized that the exhibition showcases the creativity of young residents and reflects the community’s commitment to empowering children and youth through engagement in meaningful projects.
The ‘Archives Can Be Anything’ exhibition at the Croydon Museum highlights young people’s insights into local history and culture. Through their creative works, the Young Archivists celebrate diversity, community engagement, and a vision for the future. The exhibition underlines Croydon’s commitment to fostering opportunities for its youth and preserving the borough’s rich history.
Original Source: www.thisislocallondon.co.uk