Reimagining how Black histories are preserved, shared and celebrated.

Black Heritage Futures is Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage’s flagship annual programme of professional development, dialogue and knowledge exchange.  Bringing together archivists, academics, artists, museum professionals, librarians, educators, community historians and cultural practitioners, the programme explores the vital role Black heritage plays in shaping our understanding of the past, informing the present and inspiring the future.

Across five inspiring days, participants will engage with internationally recognised speakers, leading practitioners and practical workshops designed to build the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to collect, preserve, interpret and share Black histories.  From archive principles and intellectual property to digital engagement, oral histories and community collections, Black Heritage Futures provides a unique opportunity to develop professional practice while building meaningful networks across the heritage and cultural sectors.

At the heart of the programme is Black Heritage Lab – Where Histories Become Living Futures.  This practical learning programme offers hands-on workshops, masterclasses and collaborative learning that equip participants with the tools to develop sustainable heritage practice.  Sessions explore archive management, digital preservation, copyright and intellectual property, audience development, digital storytelling and oral history methodologies, providing practical skills that can be applied immediately within organisations and communities.

Alongside the Lab is Black Heritage Voices, Serendipity’s annual conference. Bringing together internationally renowned scholars, artists, archivists and cultural leaders, the conference explores the ideas, debates and emerging practices shaping Black heritage today.  Through keynote lectures, panel discussions and critical conversations, participants will consider how Black archives and cultural memory continue to influence contemporary society and future generations.

Your Full Week Pass Includes

For £390, delegates receive:

• Five days of professional development and specialist training.
• Full access to Black Heritage Lab seminars, workshops and masterclasses.
• Admission to the Black Heritage Voices Conference.
• More than 30 hours of expert-led learning.
• Opportunities to hear from internationally recognised speakers and leading practitioners.
• Practical toolkits, resources and learning materials.
• Daily lunch and refreshments.
• Networking receptions and opportunities to connect with peers from across the heritage, museum, archive and cultural sectors.
• A Certificate of Participation from Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage.

For those wishing to attend only the conference, Black Heritage Voices can be booked separately for £135, which includes the full conference programme, keynote lectures, panel discussions, lunch, refreshments and networking reception.

Whether you are starting your heritage journey or are an experienced practitioner seeking to deepen your expertise, Black Heritage Futures offers an inspiring environment to learn, collaborate and innovate.  Together, Black Heritage Lab and Black Heritage Voices create a dynamic national platform where knowledge is shared, partnerships are formed and Black histories become living futures.