The Saltaire World Heritage Education Association (SWHEA) has secured a £249,000 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to safeguard and open up the internationally significant Saltaire Collection.
The funding will launch an ambitious project titled Opening up the Saltaire Collection, aimed at transforming the archive from a restricted “appointment-only” resource into a vibrant, community-led heritage hub. Key to the project is the creation of permanent exhibition spaces and fit-for-purpose, environmentally controlled storage to protect fragile items currently at risk of deterioration.
The project seeks to break down barriers to engagement by co-producing exhibitions with local residents. This collaborative approach will ensure the collection reflects a broader range of voices, including diverse stories of migration and labour within Bradford’s famous textile industry.
Maggie Smith, Trustee at Saltaire World Heritage Education Association, said:
“We are absolutely delighted to have received this support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we can now open up the Saltaire Collection to everyone—protecting these important objects while working with our communities to share new stories, increase access and ensure this heritage is valued and sustained for generations to come.”
By improving conservation and making the archives freely accessible, the SWHEA aims to secure the long-term sustainability of the collection and foster a deeper sense of pride in Saltaire’s status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
