In 2016 we celebrated the first 20 years of Knowle West Media Centre with a number of special events, exhibitions and artworks that explored the people, places, values and ideas that have shaped our way of doing things and contributed so much to KWMC and Knowle West over the last two decades.
For more than twenty years we have created spaces for debate and discussion, explored new ways of doing things, and provided opportunities for learning, employment and social action – working with people to ensure the benefits of engaging with technology and the arts can be shared as widely as possible.
2016 marks 20 years of photography at Knowle West Media Centre. We developed (no pun intended) from a photography project with Knowle West Health Association back in 1996 and we've experimented with ever-changing technologies since then: from darkroom techniques and pinhole photography to digital photography and portraiture. We're proud to have supported artists and young people to make and exhibit their own work over the...
A lot has changed since Carolyn Hassan began a photography project at Knowle West Health Association in 1996. The social, cultural and political landscape of the UK has shifted and the community of Knowle West has experienced changes and challenges.
There have been huge advances in technology: the computers on our desks have halved in size and increased in power, and the ‘next industrial revolution’ has brought coding, robotics and digital manufacturing into the public consciousness.
We have been, and will continue to be, responsive to changing circumstances, emerging opportunities, and local needs.
But amidst these changes, community remains at the heart of everything we do. As our organisation evolves in size and scope, local residents and young people continue to work alongside staff, makers and artists to co-design products and initiatives that have positive social impact. As we mark our twentieth year in 2016, we will continue to innovate, respond and create, whilst upholding the founding aim that gives Knowle West Media Centre its purpose.
Because even after twenty years, there are some things that don’t change.
During our 20th anniversary year friends of KWMC have been sharing their thoughts, memories and experiences of working with us. Excerpts from these stories have been collated in our 2015-2016 Annual Report and longer versions of the stories can be found below.
From our earliest collaborations to young adults we’ve known since their teens, these stories offer a range of perspectives and answers to the question: ‘what does Knowle West Media Centre mean to you?’
If you’d like to share your story please contact us on enquiries@kwmc.org.uk or tweet your memory to @knowlewestmedia with the hashtag #KWMC20
When did you first come to Knowle West Media Centre and what did you do? I was working at the [Knowle West] Health Park 2002 - 2005 and was involved with KWMC during that period mostly, but I’m still in touch now, even though I’m retired. My job was Project Manager for a community and public art project that was intended to...
When did you first come to Knowle West Media Centre and what did you do? About five or six years ago I went to the University of Local Knowledge (ULK) event on Filwood green and did an interview for a film. Then I went to the AGM and was so impressed by everything that was going on. How do you...
How were you involved with KWMC? [Knowle West Health Association] were involved because we set the project up many moons ago, from Filwood Community Centre, with a little small darkroom that [Carolyn Hassan] was actually based in. At the time we didn’t think it was going to take off because it was around media. Why didn’t you think it was going to take...
When did you first come to Knowle West Media Centre and what did you do? I first came into contact with the Media Centre through the Knowle West youth club in my mid teens. I began by attending little filmmakers nights and even made a small video at the Knowle West Health Park which was a very embarrassing parody of Men...
I started at KWMC as a volunteer on the summer school in 2009. I have worked as a freelance artist for over 15 years and had the great fortune to work with KWMC on several occasions. It was very exciting working with KWMC because they are interested in the practical application of experimental art and design. In a gallery, artists can...
When did you first come to Knowle West Media Centre and what did you do? I was 14 and involved in Archimedia from beginning to end. How do you think KWMC has changed during the time you’ve known us? KWMC has changed in appearance, staff, grown in size and impact and all for the better. From beginning to end KWMC have...
I’ve been involved in, I think, three or four projects now with the Media Centre, over the last three years and I was approached in the first place to get involved with some community consultation, [an] arts programme, called Lost & Found, where I was among a group of artists who were invited to try and think about...
When did you first come to Knowle West Media Centre and what did you do? I met [KWMC Director] Carolyn at the project in 2006 when it was based at the old William Budd Centre. I was offered an amazing opportunity to come and work on the Environmental Programme with the team. I worked on lots of different projects with the...
My enduring relationship with Knowle West Media Centre (KWMC) started in the early 00's when I was a young mum studying media at university. I specialised in video production and made a social justice piece that attracted the attention of one my technical instructors. She had worked with KWMC and saw parallels between its ethos and the social interest documentary...
When did you first come to Knowle West Media Centre and what did you do? I came to KWMC in February 2016. I was the communications co-ordinator for the project Change Creators. How do you think KWMC has changed during the time you’ve known us? I only worked at KWMC for 10 weeks, however in this time there were always new...
When did you first come to Knowle West Media Centre and what did you do? I first came to Knowle West Media Centre in February 2016 for my Change Creators interview. How do you think KWMC has changed during the time you’ve known us? Since knowing KWMC, I have noticed a massive increase in tech! Your film kit cupboard is a...
When did you first come to Knowle West Media Centre and what did you do? When I joined the walking group, just before the new building went up. I was a walk leader and [another walk leader] introduced me to the Media Centre as they needed trustees, but I already knew everyone because we were based in William Budd [Health Centre], as...
When did you first come to Knowle West Media Centre and what did you do? I remember coming when I was about 10, I met [KWMC Community Engagement Manager] Makala on Filwood Broadway at an event and we did some journalism work. Then we went to the Mouth of the South club. It was in the old building and then Ruthven...
We asked artist Michael Smith to reflect on his time at KWMC and he responded by creating five new pieces that mix hand-drawn characters and computer illustration. Can you spot some familiar faces alongside Michael's alter ego The Dark Fox? [gallery ids="28252,28253,28254,28255,28256"] Story and artwork by Michael Smith, artist...
When did you first come to Knowle West Media Centre and what did you do? I joined KWMC in January 2004 (I think) and was the Archimedia Project Manager until December 2008. How do you think KWMC has changed during the time you’ve known us? Immeasurably, and so much more since I left. To have joined during our time at William...
What was your earliest involvement with KWMC? I like to think that I was there at the very beginning, because I managed the project which employed [KWMC Director] Carolyn to do a photography project in Filwood Community Centre, right at the very start of the whole thing. How did that come about? That was in the very early days – arts and health...
When did you first know the Media Centre and what did you do? Starting from the very beginning, I was involved in a project with [KWMC Director Carolyn] and [Assistant Director] Penny. Myself and [KWMC Youth Media Worker] Sandra were given a video camera as part of the Roaring Girls project...Two years later, I think, I finished my performing arts course...
When did you first come to Knowle West Media Centre and what did you do? I had seen a sign in Filwood Hope as I knew I liked writing and reading and people had told me I should try journalism. It was at the Knowle West Development Trust and there was the youth club Mouth Of The South, and I still have...
