Image credit (above): Interference Art (‘Food Glorious Food’ exhibition at Portland Basin Museum)
2022 sees the five-year anniversary of the launch of Archives Unlocked, the government’s vision for the sector. Archives Unlocked sets out the ambitions for archives to release their incredible potential to inspire trust, enrich lives and be open to all. Working together the sector has made great progress in realising these ambitions, while also setting out an additional agenda for change. Moving beyond the original aims of increasing digital capacity, resilience and impact across the sector, our focus has been extended to include advocacy and reputation, diversity and inclusion, innovation and risk, and health and wellbeing. The case studies in this year’s ‘A Year in Archives’, drawn from across the country, reflect the achievements of archives of all kinds to deliver the vision set out in Archives Unlocked. As with any publication of this kind, only a few examples can be included, but they give a sense of the great work being delivered across the sector. I hope you enjoy reading this year’s edition and feel inspired by these case studies.
Jeff James
Chief Executive and Keeper of The National Archives
2022 saw another busy and varied year for the archives sector and The National Archives. We have continued to deliver resources, funding and initiatives to help the sector as it emerges from the Covid-19 pandemic. This year has also seen us exploring how we can move forward. We’re evaluating the first three years of our Plugged In, Powered Up strategy to build digital skills and capacity across the sector, and looking at how we can develop this even further. We are also reflecting on the findings from our Leadership Review, to ensure that the support we offer to the sector remains proactive, collaborative and relevant as new challenges and opportunities emerge.
Tina Morton
Interim Head of Archive Sector Development