NAE VOICE 6 Months Report

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VOICE Assembly

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.

Six-Month Recommendations Report

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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.

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VOICE Assembly

Six-Month Recommendations Report

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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?”

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VOICE Assembly

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 Recommendations Report

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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.

Open Brave Hopeful Resourceful

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.

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VOICE Assembly

PROGRESS SNAPSHOT

20 13/65% 3/15% Total recommendations:

Green (Delivered)

Orange (In Progress)

4/29% Red (Planned/Aspirational) Six-Month Recommendations Report

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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.

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VOICE Assembly

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.

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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.

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VOICE Assembly

Six-Month Recommendations Report

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Recommendation (Assembly)

Commitment

Develop a long-term community leadership programme to train and support local citizens in co-creating and leading cultural initiatives at NAE

Within 24 months

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

Within 12 months

Launch mentorship and coaching programmes to support the professional growth of emerging artists

Within 24 months

Develop an international artist residency programme, connecting Hyson Green creatives to global networks

Within 24 months

Provide up to three days of free space annually for Hyson Green-based charities and artist collectives

Within 12 months

Establish a community-driven cultural hub within NAE, offering dedicated space, funding, and resources for grassroots-led initiatives

Within 24 months

Formalise local partnerships through Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) and shared objectives

Within 18 months

Facilitate the creation of a Hyson Green consortium of local organisations, hosted at NAE, to strengthen collaboration and advocacy

Within 18 months

Launch and host a biannual children’s exhibition to platform and celebrate emerging talent from Hyson Green

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VOICE Assembly

Within 12 months

Status

NAE’s Response

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.

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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 Green

Within 18 months

Champion environmental sustainability in cultural spaces

Within 18 months

Expand equitable access to arts education and training

Within 24 months

Strengthen the role of arts and culture in local policy

Within 18 months

Facilitate community representation in cultural decision-making

Within 18 months

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VOICE Assembly

Status

NAE’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 .

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WHAT COMMUNITIES CAN LEAD

Recommendation (Assembly)

Commitment

Support the establishment of a community-led storytelling platform in NAE’s café

Within 24 months

Provide up to three days of free space annually for Hyson Green-based charities and artist collectives

Within 12 months

Facilitate one day a year focused on creating connections between local youth organisations and elder-led community groups

Within 24 months

Develop a long-term community leadership programme to equip citizens with skills and networks to shape decision-making

Within 24 months

Develop an annual festival calendar that celebrates Hyson Green’s cultural diversity

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VOICE Assembly

Within 18 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.

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VOICE Assembly

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.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 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.

CONTACT

New Art Exchange (NAE) 39-41 Gregory Boulevard Hyson Green, Nottingham NG7 6BE

Website: www.nae.org.uk Email: info@nae.org.uk