Northern Film and Media (NFM) has utilised an innovative platform to collaboratively exhibit a Blueprint artists residency. Launched through its Tees Valley Screen Arm, via funding from Arts Council England (ACE) and the Tees Valley Combined Authority, Blueprint is a creative development programme for early career creatives and artists designed to help them improve their skills in film and video. As well as working closely with the project, the artists created a multi-media record of their residency by uploading footage, images, script extracts and behind the scenes footage to their Living Archive. Living Archive, brainchild of Nick John Williams, is an innovative cloud-based platform that enables users to showcase, collaborate and inspire, making it easy to upload, organise, curate and exhibit digital multi-media content. The Blueprint project is a key area of development for NFM, who aim to commission young and diverse stories from content makers across the North East. Working in partnership with MIMA, MIMA School of Art and Design, The Auxiliary, Living Archive, ARC Stockton and FLAMIN, Blueprint brought together five individuals who wanted to make moving-image work. Chief Executive of NFM, Alison Gwyn, said, “Showcasing and nurturing the talents of individuals from all backgrounds across the Tees Valley is an important element of the work Tees Valley Screen continues to do in the region, and by launching this project, we have stretched out our arms to include some of the brightest talent and watch them flourish through Blueprint.” The five artists who contributed are: Megan Watson: a digital artist from Hartlepool who works primarily in 3D and 2D design to explore the relationship between technology, humanity, and nature. Matthew Ward: a multi-disciplined artist from Stockton-on-Tees with a focus on film, photography, and sculptural work. Madeleine Smyth: a musician, composer and sound artist from Hartlepool. She blends viola, voice, electronic instruments and found sound to create ethereal songs and soundscapes. Dominic JP Nelson-Ashley from Stockton-on-Tees is firmly established as a spoken-word artist who delivers consistently electrifying performances. His poetry books tackle the issues of fatherhood, chat-up lines, role models, celebrity culture, mental health and spending his teenage years in a middle-England town. Graham Williamson: a film-maker and writer based in Middlesbrough. His work uses elements of social and political history, science, mythology and personal reminiscence to create unique psychological portraits of working-class communities. Nick John Williams, said: “This is such a powerful demonstration of what Living Archive is capable of. It’s in-built curation and exhibition system enables the quick and easy creation of multimedia exhibitions giving every project, team and individual and outlet and showcase. It’s an honour to support the Blueprint project and I hope many people enjoyed the diverse multi-media collection!” If you would like to know more about how Living Archive can help your community or organisation preserve, develop and share its legacy, please get in touch
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