Beatfreeks

Who we are

Don’t Settle is an invitation for young people to ‘kick the dust’ off heritage and to be active in not letting it settle. Don’t Settle will work with 16-25 year olds from Birmingham and the Black Country to change the voice of heritage by improving representation and ensuring young people, particularly those from minoritised communities, are reflected within the organisations which tell the stories that make up our cities.

Young people will explore the notion of reclaiming spaces, exhibitions, and ultimately historical narratives through art. Exploring the impact of industrialism and empire on heritage, they will connect that to their heritage and their communities in order to create structures, processes and projects which future proof heritage for the communities of tomorrow.

Don’t Settle will empower young people to develop the skills and confidence to engage meaningfully and strategically with heritage organisations to co-create, deliver and evaluate innovative youth engagement structures.

Don’t Settle legacy will be secured through frameworks to be adopted across the sector to radically improve heritage organisations. We will also catalyse the establishment of a new group, named R-Coop for now, to carry forward the learnings and development with the wider sector beyond the three year project period.