Community Workshop & Survey Findings
March 3rd, 2025 | SideAs we enter the final stages of our strategic planning for the future of Side, this February and March we have been engaged in our feedback initiative. The included our Side Community Workshop and our online newsletter survey. These projects gathered insights on how you feel the gallery could serve the local community when it reopens, what your missing in the local arts scene, and how you see Side’s role as a documentary photography and cultural space. Below are some of our findings:
What does Side mean to you?
Participants have reflected on Side’s history and its role in the community. Many say they value its collaborative approach to storytelling, highlighting its focus on relationships rather than passive documentation. Some noted its appeal in attracting visitors through themes rather than individual artists, while others saw it as a key meeting point for photographers. Discussions also touched on the importance of youth engagement, particularly through accessible photography projects.
"One person described Side’s ability to be “a model for anti-extractivist [community-based work]”, taking an approach which centres relational accountability. This sparked lots of conversation: someone talked about how Side “got to know the people photographed” and are “embedded in the community” whose stories they are part of telling. The approach was described as one of “co-creation”, where relationships are “valued and nurtured”."
Many attendees expressed that Side’s strength lies in its ability to draw visitors through universal themes rather than individual artists, an approach they felt could attract a wider audience. There was also recognition of Side as an informal hub for photographers, providing a vital meeting space for an often-isolated creative community.
What role in the community would you love to Side play?
During our workshop we also discussed ideas on how Side could evolve to meet community needs. Responses were varied and insightful, focusing on for key areas of focus:
Community Space - Participants envisioned Side as a dynamic, inclusive cultural hub.
Heritage and Representation - A central theme was the importance of storytelling that reflects contemporary life in the North East, not just historically but also life today.
Health and Wellbeing - The workshop highlighted significant social challenges affecting the local community which impact the visitors to Side, including isolation, housing struggles, rising far-right sentiments, digital divides, and post-pandemic recovery.
Accessibility and Extending into the Wider Community - Participants wanted to see more digital content, engaging with community spaces outside of the city centre, and encouraging people from all ages and backgrounds to take their own photography.
What's next?
These feedback initiatives provided a range of perspectives on Side’s history and potential future, with discussions reflecting a strong connection to the gallery and a desire for it to remain a vibrant part of the community - and we definitely feel the passion our community has for our reopening.
We're actively working towards building a sustainable Side, with new initiatives and events coming across 2025. We appreciate all of your dedication to our survival and will keep you updated as we move ahead to reopening our doors.
"I feel it is very important for the arts to be supported for well being and preservation of culture - as well as creating new ideas and promoting local talents."