Preserving and Sharing Stories of Black Identity and Belonging
Working with communities across the South West to share and celebrate stories of identity and belonging
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Working with communities across the South West to share and celebrate stories of identity and belonging •
What is the UnMuseum?
A Living Archive of Black Identity and Belonging in the South West
The UnMuseum is not just a place or an institution, it’s a philosophy. It is a radical reimagining of how Black and Racially Minoritised cultural heritage is defined, collected, curated, and shared. Rooted in decolonial and community-led principles, the UnMuseum holds space for the lived experiences, cultural expressions, and histories of Black people across the Southwest of England. It centres ownership, voice, and storytelling in the hands of those who carry and create these legacies, today, and every day.
Developed by Black South West Network (BSWN), the UnMuseum offers a platform for Black and Racially Minoritised communities across the South West of England to explore and express their own heritage, histories, and identities, in their own words, on their own terms, and through their own cultural expressions. More than an archive or a gallery, it is a decolonial reconceptualisation. It redefines what it means to collect, preserve, and share cultural heritage, by placing power in the hands of those whose stories have too often been misrepresented, marginalised, or erased.
“History is not the past. It is the present. We carry our history with us. We are our history.”
James Baldwin
The Journey so far
Funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, between 2022 and 2024, we carried out an extensive development phase across the Southwest region. Through consultations, workshops, and surveys with over 200 people and cultural producers, we explored what meaningful engagement with heritage looks like for Black and Racially Minoritised communities.
We heard a clear message: for cultural heritage spaces that feel familiar and alive; for immersive, interactive storytelling rooted in food, music, and memory; and for Black communities to have the agency and resources to define and share their own narratives.
Upcoming Events
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90 Years of Ethiopia in Bath
October 2, 2026
Beginning with a launch party on the 22nd of August, the City of Bath marks the 90th anniversary of the Ethiopian Royal Family’s arrival with a commemorative programme of events. Join us on October 2nd at Fairfield House.
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Unseen: Screening of Kuumba Centre’s Video Archive in Partnership with The UnMuseum
October 26, 2026
This special screening offers a rare opportunity to experience these recordings together and reflect on the people, events, and cultural moments they capture. More than an archival project, it is an invitation to everyone who has been part of Kuumba's story to reminisce, share memories, celebrate its legacy, and help carry that history forward.
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Fire Inna Dancehall: A Legacy of Sound, Style and Struggle
October 30, 2026
Celebrated author Derek Bardowell walks us through his latest book – Fire Inna Dancehall, which traces the collision of sound, style and struggle that created one of the most influential cultural movements of the past half-century. From inner city Kingston to the council estates of London, ex-reggae columnist Derek Bardowell charts the rise, triumphs, controversies and tragedies of a space where joy and resistance share the same rhythm.
Want to get involved?
To contribute a story or object for digitisation, attend an upcoming event, or learn more about our commissioning and training programmes, please contact our Policy and Development Manager, Angelique Retief, [email protected] or fill in the form below.
