Back to Ours is a community-led creative arts organisation, producing outstanding arts and cultural experiences with and for the people of Hull.
Building on the legacy of Hull City of Culture, Back to Ours are rooted in neighbourhoods and involve local people as audiences, participants, creators and commissioners. Their creative programme is co-produced with several community programming Hubs of local people. They work together to develop the programme, commission and promote events and activities in the places people know and love in and around their area.
Connection to Esmée's strategy
- Priorities
- Long-term outcomes
- Local people and local artists lead creative and cultural activity in their communities.
From Gillian Goode, Funding Manager, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation:
What Back to Ours do is unique to Hull - their story is a journey of local people and artists reflecting on what cultural and creative participation means for the city, and what inspiring and fun artistic experiences could look like in the future. Their approach demonstrates the value of connecting the local assets available to people where they live, including libraries, pubs, residents’ associations, local charities, community groups and agencies, in creating vibrant and enjoyable places to live. Back to Ours make a compelling contribution to learning in and beyond Hull on what kind collaborative spaces can actively involve communities in making decisions about their creative lives; and on building the local capacity, leadership and connection to act on them.
In conversation with Back to Ours
Our Esmée Fairbairn Foundation funding enables us to do what we do best: deliver a community-led arts programme in Hull. Local people are at the heart of our work – we call them our Hub Members – and they help shape and deliver the programme. We continuously learn from their knowledge and lived experiences, ensuring we connect meaningfully with both people and places.
Each Hub Member is on their own personal journey with Back to Ours, and it’s never a one-size-fits-all approach. It can’t be, not when you’re working with incredible individuals who generously share their time and experiences.
We recently spoke to one of our newer Hub Members, Nicola, who’s been involved for the past two years:
What made you want to get involved with Back to Ours?
“Me and my son had experienced so many great shows at Back to Ours. I spoke to lots of people and was surprised to find that some didn’t know about it. That’s when I knew I wanted to help share information and spread the word about the whole Back to Ours experience with the community. I also wanted to help out at events by welcoming people, and I saw it as a great opportunity to meet new people.”
What has been the impact of you being a Hub Member?
“Being a Hub Member has given me a fantastic opportunity to get involved in so many amazing things. I’ve loved meeting new people and seeing the great shows and events we bring to different areas. I’ve also invited lots of people to check out what’s happening in my neighbourhood. One of my favourite experiences was being part of last year’s Winter parade, where I helped with costumes, delivered leaflets, and even rode on the land train with my son. I was blown away by the community’s response, seeing so many people come out to enjoy the fun. I got emotional watching the older generation waving from their homes.
I know a lot of people in my neighbourhood and feel confident about what would work and what people would want, which I bring to our meetings. Through Back to Ours, I’ve also been involved in other arts projects, like performing in a dance piece at Hull’s Freedom Festival this summer. It’s opened up so many other opportunities for me.”
What’s next for you as a Hub Member?
“I was so excited to be invited to Edinburgh Fringe 2024 with Back to Ours, and I was gutted that I couldn’t go. I would have loved to watch the acts and be part of the conversations about bringing some of them to Hull, a city I’m proud to live in. But I’m looking forward to attending in 2025. I think it’s really important—and a great approach—that Hub Members are involved in all aspects of Back to Ours. For me, it shows a lot of respect to include residents in the process of planning and research.”
© Back to Ours. Hub member, Nicola, along the cast of Trash Test Dummies - Dummies Corp.
