EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This six-month report shares the recommendations of the VOICE Assembly, together with New Art Exchange’s (NAE) responses and progress to date. The VOICE Assembly is the first permanent citizen-led assembly embedded in a cultural institution globally, placing local neighbourhood residents at the heart of leadership and decision-making.
In just six months, recommendations from the Assembly have led to impactful cultural programmes, new partnerships, and community-led initiatives across Hyson Green. This document provides transparency and accountability, showing what has been delivered, what is in progress, and what is planned for the future.
ABOUT NEW ART EXCHANGE (NAE)
New Art Exchange (NAE) is a leading contemporary arts space in Nottingham, rooted in Hyson Green, one of the UK’s most diverse neighbourhoods. NAE’s mission is to stimulate new perspectives on the value of diversity in art and society.
As an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation, NAE champions artists and communities from the global ethnic majority and provides a platform for creativity, dialogue, and leadership. Our work is guided by a commitment to relevance, excellence, and citizen-led leadership.
ABOUT THE VOICE ASSEMBLY
The VOICE Assembly is a permanent citizen leadership body embedded in New Art Exchange. Every two years, 40 people from NAE’s neighbourhood are selected through a combination of random selection and open participation to form the Assembly. They come together to respond to a key question that shapes NAE’s strategic work within the neighbourhood. This six-month report reflects the first iteration of the VOICE Assembly. In this cycle, participants responded to the question:
“What future for arts and culture do you want to see in Hyson Green within the next 10 years?”
The recommendations generated from this process fall into three strands: what NAE delivers directly, what it advocates for, and what communities themselves lead. NAE is the first cultural institution in the world to embed a permanent citizen assembly as part of its leadership structure. This ensures that citizens are not only consulted but actively share in decision-making. The VOICE Assembly is a cornerstone of the RETURN model, embedding shared cultural leadership and creating an ongoing cycle of accountability.
SIX-MONTH REPORT CONTEXT
This is the first six-month VOICE Recommendations Report. It is part of an ongoing cycle of accountability where NAE publishes updates every six months to show how citizen recommendations are being acted upon. The following tables outline the Assembly’s recommendations, the timeframe in which NAE committed to respond, the status of delivery, and NAE’s specific responses.
Understanding the Status Colours:
Green
=
Delivered
– the recommendation has already been implemented.
Orange = In Progress
– the recommendation is being acted upon and will be completed within the stated timeframe.
Red
= Planned / Aspirational – the recommendation is scheduled for a future phase or is still being developed.
PROGRESS SNAPSHOT
Total recommendations: 20
13 / 65%
Green (Delivered)
3 /15%
Orange (In Progress)
4 /29%
Red (Planned/Aspirational)
KEY HIGHLIGHTS (FIRST SIX MONTHS)
Highlights from the first six months of implementation include:
25,000
Over 25,000 people engaged with Assemblyinspired projects, including Through Our Eyes exhibition frames at Hyson Green Market.
471
471 children and young people showcased creativity in the Through Our Eyes exhibition.
145
145 participants took part in the Together in Creation workshops, ending in a community celebration.
Free children’s meals introduced weekly at Saturday Art Clubs, removing barriers to participation.
Hyson Green Consortium established with eight organisations, meeting quarterly to coordinate and plan future events.
Community groups such as Himmah, Take 1 Studio, and Refugee Roots used NAE spaces free of charge.
Plans underway for a Food Festival and the Nottz Garden project, embedding sustainability and cultural celebration in 2026.
WHAT NAE WILL DO
These recommendations are the actions that NAE has committed to deliver directly. They include programmes, exhibitions, residencies, of creativity. The table shows the original Assembly recommendations, the time frame agreed, and NAE’s responses to date.
Recommendation (Assembly) Commitment
Launch and host a biannual children’s exhibition to platform and celebrate emerging talent from Hyson Green
Develop a long-term community leadership programme to train and support local citizens in co-creating and leading cultural initiatives at NAE
Expand the number and scope of free programmes to reflect the needs and interests of diverse communities
Within 12 months
Secure funding to provide free children’s meals as part of our free Saturday Art Clubs
Launch mentorship and coaching programmes to support the professional growth of emerging artists
Develop an international artist residency programme, connecting Hyson Green creatives to global networks
Provide up to three days of free space annually for Hyson Green-based charities and artist collectives
Establish a community-driven cultural hub within NAE, offering dedicated space, funding, and resources for grassroots-led initiatives
Formalise local partnerships through Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) and shared objectives
Facilitate the creation of a Hyson Green consortium of local organisations, hosted at NAE, to strengthen collaboration and advocacy
Within 24 months
Within 12 months
Within 12 months
Within 24 months
Within 24 months
Within 12 months
Within 24 months
Within 18 months
Within 18 months
Through Our Eyes exhibition delivered with over 50 children from local schools. 471 participants engaged; 25,000 reached through market exhibition frames. Future exhibitions planned with additional schools.
Training and steering groups underway with training schedule for 2026.
Together in Creation ran nine workshops with 145 participants, culminating in a celebration day with further free workshops around music production being offered during the Autumn
Healthy meals now provided weekly at Saturday Art Clubs.
Further development planned during 2026.
Residency programme established and linked to international partners with residencies planned to take place in 2026.
NAE is trialing the scheme with Himmah, African Corner and Take 1 Studio having had access to free use of NAE spaces
Further development planned during 2026
Partnerships in place with agreed dates of meetings through 2025 and 2026 to formalise MOU
Hyson Green Consortium launched; quarterly meetings with eight organisations and a collective Spring 2026 event planned.
WHAT NAE WILL ADVOCATE FOR
The Assembly also identified areas where NAE should use its influence rather than direct delivery. These recommendations focus on advocacy: protecting spaces, ensuring sustainability, embedding arts in education, shaping policy, and amplifying community voices. The table shows how NAE is championing these priorities within Hyson Green and across wider cultural networks.
Recommendation (Assembly)
Commitment
Protect and sustain creative spaces in Hyson GreenWithin 18 months
Champion environmental sustainability in cultural spaces Within 18 months
Expand equitable access to arts education and trainingWithin 24 months
Strengthen the role of arts and culture in local policyWithin 18 months
Facilitate community representation in cultural decision-making Within 18 months
StatusNAE’s Response
NAE is developing a collective vision for the development of a Hyson Green creative quarter to protect and sustain neighbouring cultural assets.
The Nottz Garden commission will create a community garden local that has now received a ten year lease from City Council.
Long-term partnerships with neighbouring schools are being explored to feed into NAE’s new biannual children-led exhibition.
Further development planned during 2026.
Discussions and forums (including Hyson Green Consortium and RETURN Conference) hosted to share citizen-led approach and advocate for community representation .
WHAT COMMUNITIES CAN LEAD
Recommendation (Assembly)
Develop an annual festival calendar that celebrates Hyson Green’s cultural diversity
Support the establishment of a community-led storytelling platform in NAE’s café
Provide up to three days of free space annually for Hyson Green-based charities and artist collectives
Facilitate one day a year focused on creating connections between local youth organisations and elder-led community groups
Develop a long-term community leadership programme to equip citizens with skills and networks to shape decision-making
Commitment
Within 18 months
Within 24 months
Within 12 months
Within 24 months
Within 24 months
Some recommendations are not for NAE to deliver but for communities themselves to lead. In these cases, NAE’s role is to enable the conditions for success – by offering space, resources, or connections. The table highlights citizen-led initiatives that are already emerging or planned for the future.
Status NAE’s Response
Planned quarterly updates on NAE Newsletter for programmes and activities led by Hyson Green Consortium partners to take place from 2026.
Budget confirmed for storytelling café and dialogue clubs, supported with free space and facilitation to happen quarterly from Summer 2026.
Free use of NAE spaces by Himmah, Take 1 Studio, and others for events and meetings.
Budget confirmed for youth–elder knowledge-sharing projects, including clean-up days at Nottz Garden to take place in April 2026.
Further development planned during 2026.
CONCLUSION
The VOICE Assembly has made clear that cultural leadership belongs to everyone. NAE is proud to act on these recommendations, advocate for long-term change, and enable communities to take the lead. This is the first in a series of six-month accountability reports that will continue to track progress over time. The next Assembly will convene in 2026 to continue shaping the cultural future of Hyson Green, building on these foundations. Together, these actions are reshaping the cultural life of Hyson Green – and offering a model for institutions everywhere to follow.
We thank the members of the VOICE Assembly for their commitment, creativity, and leadership. We are also grateful to the schools, community groups, artists, and partners who have contributed to these initiatives. Their voices, ideas, and energy are at the heart of this report.
New Art Exchange (NAE) 39-41 Gregory Boulevard Hyson Green, Nottingham NG7 6BE
Website: www.nae.org.uk
Email: info@nae.org.uk