Culture And Memory

50 Stories for 50 Years

Junction Arts aims to celebrate and preserve the creative heritage of communities in Bolsover, Chesterfield, and North East Derbyshire through our project, 50 Stories for 50 Years (50 Stories). As we approach our 50th anniversary in 2026, we want to capture the lived experiences of those who have shaped and been shaped by our participatory arts work since 1976. This project seeks to safeguard a unique, often-overlooked strand of intangible heritage, stories of creativity, resilience, and connection in post-industrial and rural communities. We will collect, curate, and share 50 stories through a digital archive, a documentary film and touring exhibition. Beyond preservation, the project will reconnect communities with their shared cultural past, affirm the value of community-led creative practice, and strengthen Junction Arts’ organisational sustainability. It will deepen relationships, broaden participation, and highlight the long-term social and cultural impact of community arts.