The Highrise Project was founded in 2018 by myself and fellow artist Louise Atkinson, in response to our shared experiences of living in social housing. After meeting while working as community artists in Leeds, we decided to combine our artistic skills and interests to work with marginalised communities to help them tell their own stories through art and digital technology. Our approach is deeply rooted in our backgrounds in community outreach and participatory artistic research, as well as our own lived experience. We are committed to highlighting positive stories, challenging stigma, and raising awareness of the difficulties that marginalised communities face, often through no fault of their own.
We believe passionately in the power of art and technology as tools for learning new skills, building confidence, and creating connections between people. At the core of our work is the principle that communities are best placed to understand and communicate their own needs, aligning with the Asset-Based Community Development framework. Consequently, our focus is on engaging directly with community members to support them in achieving their personal and professional goals. To ensure inclusivity, we integrate ESOL and other supportive measures into our workshops, to make them accessible to everyone.
The first phase of this project was supported by Leeds Inspired and Arts Council England as part of Index Festival, the official fringe of Yorkshire Sculpture International. We exhibited 2 large collages based on our research alongside a publication co-produced with residents from in and around Lincoln Green, an inner city area of East Leeds. Through connecting with Index, we were able to showcase the work of the residents as part of an international festival and to engage a wider audience with the cultural life of the city.
Lincoln Green Project
Parkway Towers Project
Lindsey Gardens Mural
Shakespeare Highrise Project
New Wortley Highrise Project
Scargills Highrise Project
Active Leeds
Collective Space
Leeds University Libraries