Opportunity: ‘We’re Still Here!’ is looking for project volunteers.
Be part of creating Blackpool’s first-ever LGBTQIA+ digital archive
We’re Still Here! is delivered by Abingdon Studios in partnership with:
Showtown
Grundy Art Gallery
Blackpool Council
You
This is History in the Making
Blackpool has one of the largest and infamous LGBTQIA+ communities in the North — but our stories, images, costumes, nightlife, activism, art, and everyday lives have never been properly archived.
Until now.
‘We’re Still Here!’ is creating the town’s first dedicated LGBTQIA+ digital archive, collecting photographs, oral histories, memorabilia and community stories from the 1950’s to today.
We are recruiting 6 volunteers to help us uncover, document and celebrate this hidden history, taking part in research, gathering stories from the community and attending our fabulous programme of events.
This is a chance to help discover, preserve and protect stories that have never been recorded before. To celebrate the archive we develop, we will create two major exhibitions that connect Blackpool’s LGBTQIA+ heritage with national archives and collections. These will go on display from February to June 2027, History Month to Pride Month, in Showtown and Grundy Art Gallery.
Why This Matters
Moments in LGBTQIA+ history are moving out of living memory.
Photographs are fading. Stories are at risk of being lost. Costumes, posters and flyers are tucked away in drawers. This project is about uncovering them – together.
You won’t just support a project. You will create a unique heritage archive that ensures future LGBTQIA+ generations can look back and see themselves reflected in art, community and society.
How to Apply
Full details about the role on the PDF below. Please send:
A short expression of interest telling us about you and why you’re interested including:
Your connection to Blackpool’s LGBTQIA+ community
What excites you about uncovering local queer heritage
Your expression of interest can be submitted in written, audio or video formats. For videos and audio these can be up to 5 minutes long, and for written formats up to 500 words.
Application deadline: 5th May Email: wsh@abingdonstudios.co.uk
Abingdon Studios is a flagship contemporary visual arts studio and producing organisation based in the heart of Blackpool. Simply put, we believe in Artists Being Supported. Providing permanent artist studios and a public project space for testing and exhibiting new work, ABS develops and delivers ambitious independent and co-commissioned projects in partnership with galleries, museums, consortium networks and partners. We are proud to have supported 150+ artists to date.
Last Updated: 15th April 2026 by Abingdon Studios
Opportunity: ‘We’re Still Here!’ is looking for project volunteers.
Be part of creating Blackpool’s first-ever LGBTQIA+ digital archive
We’re Still Here! is delivered by Abingdon Studios in partnership with:
This is History in the Making
Blackpool has one of the largest and infamous LGBTQIA+ communities in the North — but our stories, images, costumes, nightlife, activism, art, and everyday lives have never been properly archived.
Until now.
‘We’re Still Here!’ is creating the town’s first dedicated LGBTQIA+ digital archive, collecting photographs, oral histories, memorabilia and community stories from the 1950’s to today.
We are recruiting 6 volunteers to help us uncover, document and celebrate this hidden history, taking part in research, gathering stories from the community and attending our fabulous programme of events.
This is a chance to help discover, preserve and protect stories that have never been recorded before. To celebrate the archive we develop, we will create two major exhibitions that connect Blackpool’s LGBTQIA+ heritage with national archives and collections. These will go on display from February to June 2027, History Month to Pride Month, in Showtown and Grundy Art Gallery.
Why This Matters
Moments in LGBTQIA+ history are moving out of living memory.
Photographs are fading. Stories are at risk of being lost. Costumes, posters and flyers are tucked away in drawers. This project is about uncovering them – together.
You won’t just support a project. You will create a unique heritage archive that ensures future LGBTQIA+ generations can look back and see themselves reflected in art, community and society.
How to Apply
Full details about the role on the PDF below. Please send:
Your expression of interest can be submitted in written, audio or video formats. For videos and audio these can be up to 5 minutes long, and for written formats up to 500 words.
Application deadline: 5th May
Email: wsh@abingdonstudios.co.uk
About us
Abingdon Studios is a flagship contemporary visual arts studio and producing organisation based in the heart of Blackpool. Simply put, we believe in Artists Being Supported. Providing permanent artist studios and a public project space for testing and exhibiting new work, ABS develops and delivers ambitious independent and co-commissioned projects in partnership with galleries, museums, consortium networks and partners. We are proud to have supported 150+ artists to date.
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