Historic England and Photoworks invite people to look at the high street as never before, charting and celebrating the history and experiences of the people and places that make up an often-overlooked fixture in all our lives.
Over the next 12 months, people are encouraged to respond to a fortnightly challenge that uncovers the secret life of the high street, posting their own photographs on Instagram using #PicturingHighStreets. From celebrating local high street heroes that make our places so special; capturing favourite hang outs and meeting places; to recording the hidden heritage of our high streets: the most evocative photographs will be featured on the Picturing High Streets Instagram channel.
Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive of Historic England said: “High streets are at the heart of communities. We know their future feels uncertain and high streets are facing a pivotal moment in their long history. It’s time to get out there, rediscover our high streets, and tell the stories behind the shopfronts.”
Shoair Mavlian, Director, Photoworks said: “Photoworks is super excited to see your images of the high street! Next time you’re popping to the high street why not take a snap and share. We are looking forward to seeing the breadth of photography from around the country.”
A selection of photographs submitted before 21st December 2022 will form a national outdoor exhibition opening in Spring 2023 filling advertising space, outdoor exhibition panels and shop windows on high streets across England. These photographs – alongside a selection of others submitted from January 2023 onwards – will also enter the Historic England Archive, the nation’s archive for England’s historic buildings, archaeology and social history.
Designer and retail expert Wayne Hemingway will join the renowned artist Camille Walala, best known for her large-scale murals that transform public spaces, as judges to help choose the winning images to go into the national touring exhibition. Ben Hope, Marketing Director at Clear Channel and Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive of Historic England will also take part in the judging.
Designer, Wayne Hemingway MBE, said: “The most exciting high streets are the ones that allow creativity and experimentation to thrive. I’m looking forward to seeing how these images capture the high street’s reinvention.”
Artist, Camille Walala, said: “Our high streets can be canvasses for culture and expression, transforming how people feel about their local place. I can’t wait to see how the images we choose for the exhibition can inject hope and positivity on to our high streets.”
Ben Hope, Marketing Director at Clear Channel said: “We’re excited to support this major photography project that gets people back on to our high streets. We’re looking forward to sharing the successful images with millions of people across England.”
The high street cultural programme is part of the £95 million government-funded High Streets Heritage Action Zone scheme, which is breathing new life into over 60 high streets across England. Culture and heritage re-connects people to their high streets and helps people rediscover, celebrate and shape them through renovations to important historic buildings in high streets and community engagement – including poetry, film, music, performance and photography events.
Follow @PicturingHighStreets on Instagram and post your pictures using #PicturingHighStreets. The national outdoor exhibition will open Spring 2023.
