Unlocking Salford Quays: The Inside Story
Discovering Salford Quays Past & Present
Unlocking Salford Quays: The Inside Story
• Unlocking Salford Quays: The Inside Story
• The Deck, The Lowry, Sat 28 August – Fri 31 December, 2010
• Interviews available with former dock workers and curators
From its opening by Queen Victoria in 1894 and life as one of the busiest docks in Britain to its current inception as a creative and artistic hub, tourist destination and future Northern home of the BBC, MediaCityUk, Salford Quays has a rich and varied history. The past, present and future of Salford Quays will be explored in a fascinating exhibition, Unlocking Salford Quays: The Inside Story, at The Lowry from Sat 28 August.
Focusing on the thoughts, ideas and responses of local communities, and using photography, film, stories, artworks and artifacts uncovered during their research, the exhibition is a reminder of landmarks in the Quays’ history, alongside a celebration of months of community engagement.
Unlocking Salford Quays is a Heritage Lottery funded project, which started in Autumn 2009 and continues into 2011. It comprises this exhibition, a heritage sculpture trail, a series of live events and more.
Key Dates In The History Of Salford Quays
• 1894 – Manchester Ship Canal opened by Queen Victoria
• 1905 – No. 9 Dock, where The Lowry is situated, is opened by King Edward VII
• 1920 – The docks become one of the busiest in Britain with over 16,000 labourers employed
• 1980s – The docks come to the end of their working life
• 1985 – A major plan for regenerating the former docks as Salford Quays is launched
• 2000 – The Lowry is opened by Queen Elizabeth II
• 2010 – The Lowry celebrates its 10th anniversary with landmark community engagement project Unlocking Salford Quays
• 2011 – A new era begins with the opening of MediaCityUk
The stories and exhibits on display were uncovered by five groups -school children aged 10, youth groups, families, ex dock workers and current Quays residents and businesses. The discoveries of these five groups have also been used as inspiration for the Unlocking Salford Quays heritage sculpture trail, which opens in October.
Featuring five pieces of public art from acclaimed artists Broadbent, Unusual, Ingrid Hu, David Appleyard and MOR, the Unlocking Salford Quays heritage trail will publicly celebrate and preserve the rich history of the area for future generations of visitors, residents and workers. Information and ideas about the five pieces that make up this permanent sculpture trail will go on display in this fascinating exhibition from late October.
Salford Quays, formerly known as Manchester Docks, is at the heart of the history of the City of Salford and, because of its economic and industrial role over the past century, at the heart of Salford communities. This heritage is currently invisible, however, with little remaining evidence or explanation of the importance of the location. Unlocking Salford Quays will bring this heritage back into focus, ensuring it lives on.
As the UK’s leading advocate for the value of heritage to modern life, Heritage Lottery Fund sustains and transforms our heritage through innovative investment in projects with a lasting impact on people and places. By celebrating and bringing this rich heritage into focus at a time when the site is developing rapidly and taking on a new international significance, The Lowry aims to expose more people to this heritage and ensure that it lives on.
The Lowry celebrated its 10th anniversary on 28 April 2010 and has spent 10 years delighting, engaging and challenging both local and national audiences with the very best in visual art and performance. The Lowry Centre Trust is a not-for-profit charitable organisation and registered charity (no. 1053962). All income supports our world-class Theatres and Galleries programme, the care and display of the LS Lowry Collection and our life-changing Community and Education work. The Lowry’s Chief Executive, Julia Fawcett was awarded an OBE for services to the Arts in the Queen’s 2010 New Year Honours list.
Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported 33,900 projects, allocating £4.4billion across the UK. Website: www.hlf.org.uk
Posted on Friday, 27 August 2010 under Galleries Press Community & Education Press