In March 2025, eight local people met for the first time in UCL East’s Culture Lab, having successfully applied to be a part of the fifth iteration of Special Collections’ The New Curators Project.  They were about to embark on a programme of workshops, talks and training sessions that would introduce them to the cultural heritage sector as a potential place of work.

Each year, Special Collections offers up to ten funded places on this programme, and each cohort work to create a mobile exhibition as part of Newham Heritage Month.  This year’s cohort produced an exhibition that explored Newham’s 60 year long history and held a launch event at East Ham Library.  We are proud of what they have achieved, and to introduce you to the collective here – we can promise you they are set for big things in the future!

Please note: participants chose whether to write a biography and whether to include a photograph. Among the group, though not featured here, were also Jahnayi West and Tegan Wilson, who were major contributors to the development of the group’s exhibition and to the delivery of the launch event, which was held in East Ham Library.

Sergina

Hello! My name is Sergina and I have a passion for the arts.  I have previously attended a fine arts course at central saint martins but due to health issues I was not able to complete the course nevertheless my passion hasn’t dwindled. It is my goal to develop a career in the art world. During my time studying the arts I have discovered a variety of different artists that have inspired me. Artists including Michael Clark, Mark Rothko, Lee Krasner, Jackson Pollock and Frida Kahlo. In my own time I have enjoyed going to art galleries such as Tate modern, Tate Britain, the National Gallery, Studio 54 and the Barbican. They broaden my horizons when it comes to the possibilities of creative work. I am an arts enthusiast.

Raian

Hello! My name is Raian Farah. I am 19 years old, and I have always had an interest with History, Music and performing Arts. I believe the three really connect with each other and hope in the future I can pursue them all. I believe with Music, it is an escape from reality, where you can become what you please. History to me is a library filled with books from the past where the possibilities of the future also hide. Having culturally immersed parents also fuelled my interests in History. Performing arts includes emotions and creativity and how theatre played a huge role in historical times. Growing up in an area where the subjects are looked down on, I mostly look forward to befriending others with the same thoughts as me and working in a team. I also look forward to learning more about cultural heritage in East London. 🙂

Saniya

I’m Saniya, an aspiring archivist, curator, or prop maker with a deep love for arts, textiles, and cultural heritage. Completing The New Curators Project 2025 was a turning point, it deepened my passion for preserving stories and traditions in creative, engaging ways and gave me the confidence to take my next steps in the field.  The project has opened doors into the industry and helped me build valuable connections. I’m now applying for an internship at the new Soho Theatre in Walthamstow and an apprenticeship at the British Film Institute—two exciting opportunities that align with my creative and cultural interests. I’m passionate about connecting people to history through hands-on, imaginative approaches—whether through curating, archiving, or making. I’m committed to growing in this field and contributing to the preservation of culture and heritage in ways that inspire and engage future generations.

Digby

I’m Digby, a 19-year-old from Hackney with a strong passion for history and politics. I’ve always been fascinated by the way past events, ideas, and decisions shape the world we live in today, from the structure of governments to the inequalities that still exist in society. For me, history isn’t just about dates and facts; it’s about people, power, and the consequences of choices. I’m especially interested in how political movements and historical narratives influence identity, culture, and public perception. Growing up in a diverse and vibrant area like Hackney has made me even more aware of how global events play out on a local level. I enjoy reading, discussing current affairs, and exploring how change happens — both gradually and suddenly. Ultimately, I’m driven by a desire to understand how the past informs the present and how we might build a more informed and equitable future.

Mae

Maria

Well done to everyone in this year’s cohort – their exhibition has toured East Ham Library, Stratford Library and is on display in Plaistow Library until the 20th July.  It will also be displayed somewhere in Newham during the month of September, which will be 2025’s Newham Heritage Month…so watch this space for news about where you can catch it!

The New Curators Project is an annual programme run by UCL Special Collections and Newham Heritage Month. It offers 10 young adults in East London the chance to develop the skills and experience needed to start a career in the cultural heritage sector.

Apply now!

What is Cultural Heritage?

The cultural heritage field is an area of work focused on preserving history and culture and making it available to the general public. Among other things, it includes:

Museums.
Arts organisations and charities.
Libraries and Archives.
Historic Buildings and heritage sites.
Archaeology.

What will the project entail?

Successful applicants will receive training from industry experts in key areas such as:

Carrying out historical research.
Using archives.
Creating an exhibition.
Running events.
Communications in the cultural heritage sector.

Participants will gain real work experience by creating an exhibition for Newham Heritage Month using historical material from UCL Special Collections, the Archives and Local Studies Library in Stratford and beyond.

The programme also offers employment support such as advice on applying for jobs, writing applications and being interviewed.

Participants who attend all the workshops will receive up to £550.

Who can apply?

Applications are open to people who:

Are aged 18 to 24 at the time of making their application.
Are living, studying or working in Newham, Hackney, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest.
Are not a university graduate or currently studying at university.
Have less than 6 months paid experience in the cultural heritage sector.

As this project is a part of Newham Heritage Month, there are 5 places available to individuals who live, work or study in the borough of Newham. The remaining 5 places are available to those who live, work or study in Tower Hamlets, Hackney or Waltham Forest.

When and where is it happening?

Workshops will be ‘in person’ on Tuesday evenings from 6pm to 8pm, beginning on March 7 2023 and ending June 27 2023. There will also be three full day workshops on Friday 31 March, Thursday 20 April and Friday 26 May.

Workshops will take place at the UCL’s brand new East London campus:

UCL East
One Pool Street
London
E20 2AF

Do applicants need to have any specific A Levels or GCSEs?

Absolutely not. We want to recruit participants who have a passion for local history, regardless of their qualifications.

How do I apply?

You can apply online via our online form. If you have difficulty using the form, please send us an email and we can find an alternative way for you to apply.

The application deadline is 8.00pm on Saturday 11 February 2023.

Delivered in partnership with Newham Heritage Month.

If you’re interested in applying for the 2022 New Curators Project, visit The New Curators Project 2022 is Open for Applications! Application deadline for the 2022 New Curators Project is midnight on February 28th. For more information, visit our page on how to apply.

 

The New Curators Project is a new programme by UCL Special Collections and Newham Heritage Month. It will offer 10 young people in East London the chance to develop the skills and experience needed to start a career in the cultural heritage sector.

UPDATE: The application deadline has closed. If you’d like to apply for the 2022 New Curators project, visit The New Curators Project 2022 is Open for Applications!

What will the project entail?

Successful applicants will receive training from industry experts in key areas such as carrying out historical research, creating an exhibition and engaging with cultural heritage audiences. Participants will also work together to create an exhibition for Newham Heritage Month. Using historical material from UCL Special Collections and the Archives and Local Studies Library in Stratford, the exhibition will be an opportunity for participants to gain real life curation experience for a public heritage festival audience.

We expect the entire project to take place online, with the possibility of face to face sessions towards the end of the project (this will depend on national and local restrictions.  Any face to face activity that does take place with be compliant with government guidelines).

Who can apply?

Applications are open to people who:

• Are aged 18 to 24 at the time of making their application.
• Are living, studying or working in Newham, Hackney, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest.
• Are not a university graduate.
• Have less than 6 months paid experience in the cultural heritage sector.

As this project is a part of Newham Heritage Month, there are 5 places available to individuals who live, work or study in the borough of Newham. The remaining 5 places are available to those who live, work or study in Tower Hamlets, Hackney or Waltham Forest.

When is it happening?

Application close midnight on 12th February 2021.  There will be two online sessions per week, the first will be during the week of 1st March 2021 (date and time to be agreed with participants).  The final week of activity will be the week of 24th May 2021.

The project is running again durring the spring of 2022 – you can find more information on our page The New Curators Project 2022 is Open for Applications!

What’s in it for me?

We will be providing training in essential skills for working in the cultural heritage field, including:

• How to carry out historical research.
• How to use an archive.
• How to create an exhibition.
• Presentation and public speaking skills.

We are also offering a £200 bursary, paid in instalments, to support participants in attending as many of the workshops as possible.

Do I need to have any specific A Levels or GCSEs?

Absolutely not. We want to recruit participants who have a passion for local history, regardless of their qualifications.

What is Cultural Heritage?

The cultural heritage field is an area of work focused on preserving history and culture and making it available to the general public. Among other things, it includes:

• Museums.
• Arts organisations and charities.
• Libraries and Archives.
• Historic Buildings and heritage sites.
• Archaeology.
• Conservation.

How do I apply?

Applications for the 2021 New Curators Project are currently closed. If you’d like to apply for the 2022 New Curators Project, visit our page The New Curators Project 2022 is Open for Applications!

Questions?

You can send us an email at: library.spec.coll.ed@ucl.ac.uk.
Or, if you’d prefer to give us a call, you can call Vicky Price, Head of Outreach, on 07741671329.